In Haruki Murakami's "After the Quake," the author explores the theme that perceptions can be deceptive, suggesting that our immediate observations may not represent the underlying truth. This idea challenges readers to question the nature of reality and how personal experiences shape our understanding of the world. Murakami invites us to dig deeper beyond surface appearances to uncover the complexities that lie beneath.

The quote, "What you see with your eyes is not necessarily real," encapsulates this notion, encouraging a perspective that goes beyond mere visual perception. It suggests that our judgments and interpretations can be influenced by emotions, biases, and individual experiences, prompting an introspective journey toward recognizing the often concealed truths within our environments and relationships.