No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai, is an autobiographic novel t..
Added 2022-09-08 21:54:46 +0000 UTCNo Longer Human by Osamu Dazai, is an autobiographic novel that follows a man who suffered traumatic events as a ch1ld. We see how those events subconsciously haunt him throughout life. His friends, lovers, and family all suffer due to his depression and anxiety caused by his life long identity issues that were left unresolved since in his ch1ldhood. Dazai’s depiction of anxiety feels painfully real as the protagonist, Yozo is extremely self aware. He calculates his actions in relation to how people will see him on the basis of needing solidarity. Not because he needs to be accepted, but because acceptance alleviates him from his fear of humans. With this fear, he often delusionally stretches himself thin for others then snaps when it becomes too much. It’s a horribly sad story to watch unfold as you slowly lose sympathy for his actions. You watch him turn from an innocent traumatized ch1ld to a empty shell of a man. One that has no real desires, choices, or emotion. I saw my self in Yozo when it came to needing to please people and many other aspects. It shocked me to see how well someone could articulate specific emotions even in the 1940’s when it was made. Throughout the novel I was disgusted by the protagonist while also sympathizing with him. I couldn't help but analyze his emotions, justify them, and then just feel sorry for him. I left out alot because this book is so emotionally charged, but I'm dying to talk to someone about it. If youve read this or this far at all, first off: thankyou. Second, please please talk to me about it.
