K Character Analysis in A Tale for the Time Being

K was Haruki #1’s friend at his training camp and a fellow philosopher. K was bullied so severely by F that Haruki #1 couldn’t bear to watch it. He volunteered to take K’s place, and as a result, was horribly beaten up by F; from then on, he was always targeted for beatings and punishments. K suffered as he watched his friend get bullied for standing up for him. Early one morning, K tried to run away from the camp, but the officers found him and shot him. K probably knew he would be caught and killed, but he must have preferred that fate since he didn’t want to inflict violence on others as a soldier. K’s story tragically illustrates how young men suffered after they were drafted.

K Character Timeline in A Tale for the Time Being

The timeline below shows where the character K appears in A Tale for the Time Being. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...for “special exercises.” Haruki #1 was targeted by the officers, but a fellow recruit called K, who was “a true philosopher,” was treated even worse. (full context)

...his training and advancing in rank and status. He said that he became concerned about K and volunteered to take his place during a training session. Since then, F had been... (full context)

The Difficulty of Communication Theme Icon

...in F’s post-dinner games. While the others in the squadron sometimes laughed at these games, K never laughed and watched quietly. (full context)

Time, Impermanence, and the Present Theme Icon

...he was very excited that Jiko would be visiting him soon. He also wrote that K disappeared, and the officers then informed the squadron that he was found dead. Haruki #1... (full context)

...Haruki #1 described how his commanding officer, F, brutally beat up the student soldiers, especially K, who acted “as though he didn’t feel a thing, blinking and smiling his sweet, otherworldly... (full context)

Sexual Perversion and Violence Theme Icon

...#1 had to pretend to be “a lady of the night.” Haruki #1 could hear K weeping that night. (full context)

Secret French Diary 5. K escaped at dawn. The other soldiers were told that he committed suicide, but someone who’d... (full context)