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pompompurin1028 · 3 years

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Dazai’s Search for Genuineness, Trust and Humanity Part 2

My personal interpretation and understanding of BSD Dazai using Dazai-sensei’s works and some of his background information

Works discussed: No Longer Human, The Setting Sun and Run, Melos! <spoiler warning> Also spoiler warnings for Season 3

These are just my personal thoughts on Dazai, I would love to hear your thoughts as well! Also please note that I have yet to read the manga or the light novels, so I will only discuss the anime

This is part 2 of this analysis

In this series of analysis, I will discuss my belief that Dazai yearns for genuineness and trust from others, whilst being untrusting of the world/society. And his search for humanity within this “sinful” world

In this analysis I will showcase more evidence on the fact that Dazai wants and looks for these things in the world.

2. Dazai’s desire for trust and genuineness in the world

2.1 Examining such through his works

2.2 Dazai-sensei’s background

2.3 Connection to BSD Dazai and Atsushi

In the first part of this analysis I, through Dazai-sensei’s three works, discussed the reasons and evidence for Dazai’s distrust towards the world, and had implied through what he was searching in the port mafia to explain that he perhaps is in search for genuineness and kindness in humanity.

2. DAZAI’S DESIRE FOR GENUINESS IN THE WORLD

However is this true? In this part I will give more evidence to support this statement, as throughout Dazai-sensei’s works, we can actually see that despite his dark view of the world, there are still hints of hope and love for this world in his texts. Despite all, he still loves humanity despite its flaws and shortcomings, which I always found very interesting and enlightening.

2.1 Examining this desire from Dazai-sensei’s works

//Run, Melos! (1940)

As mentioned in my previous analysis, Run, Melos’s central conflict was based on the distrust of the king. So I’ve looked into this short story by Dazai-sensei a bit more and found out that it was a rewrite of an Ancient Greek legend of Damon and Pythias from the 4thcentury B.C. According to this academic journal, “the legend represents the perfect friendship of a man sentenced to death who wants to delay the execution and be released for the time, and a man who becomes a hostage as a guarantee for his friend's return.” And despite all the troubles and doubts, his friend had complete trust in the accused of getting back in time. Which he did in the end, and moved the king.

[Adding to Part 1] After reading through it, I could tell that Dazai-sensei had most certainly passed his own feelings into this story. For one, in the original version of the short story, the distrust of which the king held was not as explicitly stated as in Dazai-sensei’s short story, with only the indication of it through one quote:

"How can I know that you will keep your promise?" he said. "You only want to cheat me, and save your-self."

- James Baldwin, Damon and Pythias

And throughout Dazai-sensei’s version of the short story, he closely examines the struggle of man (symbolized by Melos) to keep their promises, in this case to return to the king’s castle by sundown on the third day to save his friend. Along with the difficulty his friend faced to actually be assured that Melos will return in time before his execution, which is a strong exhibition of the fact that Dazai-sensei doesn’t believe that the story told in the original version would fit in real life.

[Part 2] So how does this showcases Dazai-sensei’s desire for trust despite his crackled view of the world and those that reside in it? Well, it is none other than the fact that Dazai-sensei kept the happy ending of the short story. In the short story itself, he also praised trust, as well as the genuineness of the friendship between the men, despite the friend’s doubts, despite Melos’ attempt to almost give up on saving his friend.

“Your wish has been fulfilled. You have subdued my heart. Trust between men is not just an empty illusion. I, too, would be your friend. Say you will let the league of love be three.”

- Dazai Osamu, Run Melos!

Moreover, what had always struck me when reading this short story was this line

“Someone waits for me. Patiently, never doubting me, he waits for my return. I have his trust. My life? It counts for nothing. But this is not time to seek forgiveness with my own death. I must prove worthy of this trust. That, for now, is everything.”

- Dazai Osamu, Run Melos!

Which once again showcases how important the concept of trust seems to be to Dazai-sensei. This could be connected to, as mentioned before, Dazai-sensei’s many ‘betrayals’ he had experienced throughout his life, whether that be from his expectations towards the world or people. And yet, he still gave a story about this topic a happy ending... Perhaps this is a hint at his yearning for such things: a sense of trust even to some degree (as he knows, despite all humanity cannot be completely trusted), and a genuine bond between two people and desire for others to place trust in him as well.

//The Setting Sun (1947)

As I mentioned before, The Setting Sun is written by Dazai-sensei in a time when he seemed to be disillusioned by how the Japanese acted (without guilt or remorse for what happened) after the war, and only thinking for themselves.

And with this view of humanity, it is very clear from the tone of Dazai-sensei’s writing in The Setting Sun, that is exhibits a darker and even more distrustful tone of humanity. And even in this time and mindset, Dazai-sensei’s writing still mentions with an almost romantic tone about those who are genuine and truthful.

Such “romantic tones” can be examined when Kazuko and her brother describes their kind and gentle mother; as well as when Naoji describes the woman whom he fell for, Suga.

Kazuko and Naoji’s admiration for their their mother’s genuineness can be viewed as early on as the first chapter, in which Kazuko the way in which her mother drinks her soup:

“The real aristocrats don’t put on silly airs like that in Iwashima. Mama is the only one in our family. She’s the genuine article. There’s something about her none of us can match.” (Dazai 4)

“This may not be the way of eating soup that etiquette dictates, but to me it is the most appealing and somehow really genuine.” (Dazai 5)

- Dazai Osamu, The Setting Sun

And similarly near her mother’s death Kazuko says this about her:

“I thought that Mother might be the last of those who can end their lives beautifully and sadly, struggling against no one, neither hating nor betraying anyone.” (Dazai 124)

- Dazai Osamu, The Setting Sun

Such high regards that Dazai-sensei has his two main characters hold for their mother because of her genuineness, the fact that she doesn’t hide who she is, clearly displays that perhaps he himself puts such things at a high regard as well. This is perhaps because he knows just how deceitful the world could be, and these things are rare and therefore should be treasured.

Similarly, Naoji also praised highly and fell in love with this woman Suga because of her “unguarded expression of honesty”. The fell in love with the fact that

“There was nothing of coquetry or desire in the kindness which had impelled her to throw the blanket over me. Might not the word ‘humanity’ be revived to use of such a moment?” (Dazai 164)

- Dazai Osamu, The Setting Sun

And as we can see once again exhibiting his love for such things in human beings. After all, even in The Setting Sun itself, Kazuko had expressed that “such innocence really charms me” (Dazai 7), perhaps hinting that he is drawn to such characteristics in people, in humans within this deceitful and depraved society. And through looking at the amount of times he had praised such attributes in his work, maybe this is truly Dazai-sensei himself speaking.

//No Longer Human (1948)

TW One Rape Mention

This longing of wanting such can also be viewed in No Longer Human as well. Although in the book, Yozo (and most likely Dazai-sensei) had expressed a great amount of distrust for human beings throughout the book, as I had mentioned in the previous analysis, due to their insincerity which they had revealed, all just motivated by their self interest for their own selfish desires. It can still be revealed very subtly that perhaps Yozo (and in extension Dazai-sensei) hoped for trust and genuineness as well.

The most prominent example of this could be seen with his second wife, Yoshiko, in the book and what had actually attracted him to her. He met her at the end of the second notebook, and it was her immaculate trust in him that he had stopped drinking that caught his interest in the first place.

Therefore, after she was raped, she then lost this sense of trust she held for other people that Yozo had so adored, to the point in which he said:

“It was less the fact of Yoshiko's defilement than the defilement of her trust in people which became so persistent a source of grief as almost to render my life insupportable…. Yoshiko's immaculate trustfulness seemed clean and pure, like a waterfall among green leaves. One night sufficed to turn the waters of this pure cascade yellow and muddy.Yoshiko began from that night to fret over my every smile or frown.”

- Dazai Osamu, No Longer Human

This grief that Dazai felt over this disillusionment of Yoshiko could most probably be due to his understanding of how rare such a thing is (from his own experiences and understanding of humanity). And its not only her trust in people that is lost as a result of this event, her bluntness and frankness (genuiness) in talking about her opinions without the fear of others judgement is also lost through such, which could be another thing Dazai-sensei admires as mentioned in his other work A New Hamlet

“You must always speak to me with this kind of clarity. I will never be angered by truthful words.”

- Dazai Osamu, “A New Hamlet” (Source from @/bsd-bibliophile)

And the fact that in No Longer Human, we can once again view the main character’s attraction towards their genuine nature, perhaps is an indication that Dazai-sensei really does value such nature in others.

Also this is not the only sign of such an admiration and desire to see such a nature can be viewed throughout the book. From my memory, it can also be seen briefly in the third notebook.

"Horiki sat in front of me and said, with a gentle smile, the likes of which I had never before seen on his face, 'I hear you've coughed up blood.' I felt so grateful, so happy for that gentle smile that I averted my face and wept. I was completely shattered and smothered by that one gentle smile."

- Dazai Osamu, No Longer Human

That gentle smile which Yozo had described that Horiki showed him did not seem to be anything fake or false, but for once seems to be a genuine smile, which could explain why it was something he’s never seen on his face before. Yet the sight of it alone is able to reduce Yozo to tears (due to how moving the sight was probably), can once again be shown as another evidence as to how much such sights of genuineness might’ve meant to Dazai-sensei.

2.2 Examining this desire from Dazai-sensei’s life

It is quite difficult to find real life accounts of Dazai talking about trust and genuineness outside his works. I am currently reading a collection of Dazai’s writing at this moment in a Chinese book which would be translated as The Thinking Reed, and it has a section where he is praising trust. However, since he is talking about the war, which Dazai-sensei seems to be rather cynical about, that portion could simply be written off as him being sarcastic or satire.

However, I do have this quote from Dazai-sensei that does showcase how much he values trust, from @/bsd-bibliophile here: (TW mentions of suicide)

“I wasn’t writing suicide notes now: I was writing in order to live. A certain mentor of mine encouraged me. When everyone else ridiculed and despised me, that one writer alone quietly, consistently, gave me his support. I had to repay him for his priceless trust he’d placed in me.”

Dazai Osamu, “Eight Scenes from Tokyo” from Self Portraits

To add, this quote actually reminds me and seemingly parallels to one of his quotes in Run, Melos! as well, which could serve as the evidence for this view of mine:

- Dazai Osamu, Run Melos!

2.3 Connection to BSD Dazai and Atsushi's Relationship

(TW Dazai sucidial attempts mentioned)

Also thank you to @jessbeinme15 for helping me with this part!

So now that we perhaps know that Dazai most likely values such things in this world, which would perhaps allow us to understand his motives for entering the mafia. But the new question that is raised is how does this all connect to the current timeline of Dazai in the ADA and his fondness and closeness to Atsushi?

When I watched the series, I do admit, I was quite confused by how fast Dazai seemed to warm up to Atsushi, to the point where he would allow himself to be captured by the mafia, and perhaps even having to face the people of his past for the first time in years. It must not have been an easy decision for him to make, and yet he still did it for Atsushi, someone whom he had only met a few days ago.

Perhaps it could be explained by the reason that Dazai had wanted to form Shin Soukoku. But I couldn’t help but think that there might be more to this, and that the reason for Dazai’s fondness for Atsushi may be due to the fact that he displays such genuineness and kindness which Dazai seeks.

Let us go back to Season 1, when Atsushi first met Dazai, we most likely remember that Atsushi had saved Dazai from an attempt of drowning himself in the lake. But when we look at it more closely, perhaps we may have forgotten that Atsushi was close to starving at that point of time, and yet, he still made the decision to save someone who was dying even though he was close to resigning to the same fate himself. Is this not what Dazai had been searching for, someone who could behave like so? Someone so sincerely kind and genuine? Maybe this could be why Dazai felt so attached to Atsushi so early on, and of course perhaps it is coupled with Dazai’s knowledge that Atsushi is the ability user they are searching for,

To further prove this theory of mine, we can see during Atsushi’s entrance exam another instance in which Dazai was taken aback by Atsushi’s actions. To begin, I’ve always seen that the eyes in the BSD Manga are a very important indicator to show the thoughts and mental state of characters. And it is the same for Dazai. It is not often that we see him genuinely shocked by what people say or do, since he is usually able to predict their actions early on. However in instances such as this, when Higuchi talked about Dazai’s mafia past, we could see that he is genuinely shocked for a change, seen from the fact that his eyes have changed to (almost) pure white in colour (perhaps he did saw this coming).

And do you know when else we see such an expression on Dazai? During Atsushi’s entrance exam when Atsushi threw himself on top of the bomb in order to protect the ADA. When I watched this part of the anime, I felt that there was a genuine shock in Dazai here when Atsushi decided on this action. And when you look at the manga panel after Dazai realized what Atsushi was doing, his eyes have turned pure white (a genuine shock).

But have you ever wondered why Dazai is so shocked and almost angered by this action? He knows that the whole act during Atsushi’s entrance exam is staged, and yet he showed such an emotion and he is not faking it.

This is because, if he were faking it, his eyes would be glossed over rather than of such a colour as in the panels above.

For example, when Ango’s car crashed.

Season 3 spoiler! Or when Fyodor shot him.

Although he acted very well and seemed shocked, his eyes betray his emotions, he knew this was coming. So perhaps it is in those two events, Dazai saw in Atsushi a glimpse of what he had been searching for, which could explain their special relationship this early on.

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#bungou stray dogs #bsd #bsd dazai #dazai osamu #bsd theories #bungou stray dogs analysis #bsd meta #bsd atsushi #literature analysis #bsd anime #japanese literature #no longer human #run melos #the setting sun #humanity #distrust #kat's analysis🔍#kat's dazai brainrot

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pompompurin1028 · 3 years

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Dazai’s Search for Genuineness, Trust and Humanity (Part 1)

My personal interpretation and understanding of BSD Dazai using Dazai-sensei's works and some of his background information

Works discussed: No Longer Human, The Setting Sun and Run, Melos! I tried my best to simply describe in brief with reference to quotes

These are just my personal thoughts on Dazai, I would love to hear your thoughts as well! Also please note that I have yet to read the manga or the light novels, so I will only discuss the anime

But specifically in this analysis, I will be showcasing Dazai’s distrust for humanity/society with connections to why Dazai joins the mafia, what he seeks and how he sees the people around him.

If some parts of this doesn’t make sense, or is messy, I blame it on English being my second language, just kidding, it’s because my mind is often just full of incoherent thoughts...

TW one brief mention of suicide

1. Dazai’s distrust of the world

1.1 Examining such through his works

1.2 Dazai-sensei’s background

1.3 Connection to BSD Dazai

1. Dazai’s distrust of the world

1.1 Examining Dazai’s distrust of the world/society through his works

Deceitful. From his works, this is I believe how I see Dazai-sensei seeing society and most of those that reside in it.

“I am convinced that human life is filled with many pure, happy, serene examples of insincerity, truly splendid of their kind-of people deceiving one another without (strangely enough) any wounds being inflicted, of people who seem unaware even that they are deceiving one another.”

― Dazai Osamu, No Longer Human

Dazai-sensei’s works, according to Wikipedia (probably not the most reliable source but), are written with a “semi-biographical style and transparency into his personal life” allowing readers to glimpse into his mind which is what intrigued so many of his readers, including myself.

And throughout the three of his works, as I’ve mentioned, that I have read, I have noticed a common theme and discussion -- a deep distrust for the world.

//Run, Melos! (1940)

According to my research, Dazai-sensei’s short story Run, Melos! was published in 1940, in a period of time, in which Dazai-sensei, for a time, had a relatively more positive view on life, and according to this (I apologize as it is in Chinese for I researched in both English and Chinese for better understanding of Dazai-sensei), a time in which he “praised about themes such as trust and justice”. Yet even in such a positive time in his life, this distrust for the world can still be examined.

“...Men are not to be trusted. What are men but lumps of selfishness and greed? To take them at their word is to invite ruin.” The king spoke these words softly, with composure, and now he sighed. “Do you not think that I myself desire peace?”

“The king is putting people to death.”

“For what reason?”

“He says they are full of evil intent. Of course, it isn’t true.”

...

“...he says that no one is to be trusted”

- Dazai Osamu, Run, Melos!

This is one of the root problem in the short story, the distrust of man the king has. Of course, we can simply dismiss this as just being the central conflict for the plot itself, but as mentioned above, Dazai-sensei’s work has an semi-biographical quality, and through the examination of his other two works which I have read before this, along with the last line of the second quote, which gives me an almost authentic and real quality, seems to scream that this may be something Dazai actually felt.

//The Setting Sun (1947)

The short story I have just mentioned may not be the most evident example, but I do believe it is necessary to note that Dazai-sensei had felt such a way even in the high point (in terms of Dazai-sensei’s emotional well-being) in life. But The Setting Sun gives us a greater insight into the distrust Dazai-sensei felt in society, and those around him.

Before we dive into the book, we should note the background of which the book is written in -- after Japan’s defeat after the Second World War. This defeat created according to here (the Chinese article) caused a great change in moral values in the Japanese society, which caused an uproar for democracy. Dazai-sensei, however was quite critical of this, as he sees this as a sign that the Japanese do not feel any guilt or remorse for their actions in the war that took place, which perhaps led to a great moment of disillusion for him for the justice of the world and caused a blow to the trust he has in humanity, which can be seen in quotes such as:

“I wonder if there is anyone who is not depraved.” (Dazai, 64)

“Humanity? Don’t be silly. I know. It is the knocking down of your fellow-men for the sake of your own happiness.” (Dazai, 66)

“A man’s got to fake just to stay alive.” (Dazai, 68)

“I am convinced that those people whom the world considers good and respects are all liars and fakes. I do not trust the world.” (Dazai, 97)

- Dazai Osamu, The Setting Sun

there are of course more quotes but for the sake of it not being too long I’ll stop here

Through Dazai’s characters uttering such words, along with the background of the book I have just examined, it can be quite probable that Dazai-sensei is perhaps revealing his innermost thoughts in the book, his distrust towards humanity, its cruelty, especially since they’ve just experienced a war, and the need to pretend (so as to not to lose face), which is especially true for a person of an aristocratic background such as Dazai-sensei himself.

//No Longer Human (1948)

Finally, No Longer Human. In case you don’t know, No Longer Human is a very heavily biographical book that Dazai had written at perhaps the lowest point in his life (he committed suicide soon after it was published). The book is written in a way that examines how Dazai sees himself, and the world around him, written in a biased way through an I-novel narration, which perhaps showcases his deepest thoughts that he has never said.

In said novel, we can see his distrust through him describing his need for “clowning” to hide his true self, for fear that others would not accept him as he is. Along with quotes such as:

“For someone like myself in whom the ability to trust others is so cracked and broken that I am wretchedly timid and am forever trying to read the expression on people's faces.”

“After being hurt by the world so much, they began to see the demons within humans. So without hiding it through trickery, they worked to express it.”

- Dazai Osamu, No Longer Human

Explicitly showcases his distrust for people, as he knows they are constantly pretending, much like himself, but it feels like he’s saying that unlike he knows he is doing so and is guilty and sinful for it, as seen from his quote in this book: “Living itself is the source of sin.”

1.2 Dazai-sensei’s background

So why does Dazai-sensei think in such a negative way about the world? Why does he showcase so much distrust for people in his works? The answer lies ins none other than his past and experiences.

Hinted from No Longer Human and as @/bsd-bibliophile’s post here (TW Rape) mentioned in his other story Memories there is a great possibility that he had been exposed to something traumatizing at a young age, and this clearly has a great affect on Dazai-sensei, as @/bsd-bibliophile it was enough for him to put it on two of his major publications. This event which happened so early on in his life most probably would be one of the reasons for his distrust in people in general.

Moreover, later on in his life, Dazai-sensei’s trust in humanity is once again broken as he has become aware of the adultery his first wife, Hatsuyo had committed with his best friend Zenshirō Kodate (according to Wikipedia and other articles I have read).

This along with what Dazai-sensei had witnessed with the war, as mentioned in my analysis of the background of The Setting Sun, I cannot at all blame Dazai-sensei for having such sentiments.

1.3 Connection to BSD Dazai

So what does this mean for Dazai? I believe that similar to Dazai-sensei, Dazai too has a great distrust for humanity, and is in despair that the world, society and perhaps even us as humans operate in such a way.

This would explain Dazai’s quote “evil expects evil from others”, as in a way it rings a similar tone to that of what Yozo/Dazai-sensei felt in No Longer Human. He knows that others are pretending, clowning yet he himself is too, and perhaps in a sense doing such is sinful.

This could also give an explanation as to why Dazai joined the Port Mafia as well. As Dazai told Oda, he said that

“As long as I place myself close to raw emotions under violence, death instinct and desire, I have a chance to experience humanity’s true nature. If I do that, perhaps I can find a reason to live”.

One of the questions I always thought about is why does Dazai feel the need to place himself in the midst of violence to find a reason to live? For if you’re always met with such dark things before your eyes, how do you find light in your life?

But perhaps Dazai is looking for this light, in his own way. As if you’re closest to violence, with death surrounding you at every moment, you will be able to see human nature’s its truest colours. Most men fear death, our end, we fight against it, so perhaps in such a place, Dazai wants to see if anyone despite these horrifying conditions in the mafia, could continue to showcase kindness, some beauty of humanity in this place. For by doing so, if he could find out that not all people are inherently evil, even as they fight the inevitable doom, that maybe humanity is worth trusting, that there is even the littlest bit of beauty in this world worth fighting for and living for? This is perhaps essentially why he is so drawn to Oda and Ango, for they radiate humanity, concern for others in this place of which some of humanity’s darkest nature could be exhibited.

This would also explain the reason for Dazai and Ango’s current broken friendship. Since Dazai is already distrustful of the world, to have a someone whom he probably at some point considered a friend betraying him must be dreadful to him. And it is this characteristic of Dazai which accounts for the reason why the rift between them will not heal. Of course, I have seen arguments for this being because Ango was indirectly responsible for Oda’s death, but it never really sat right with me the more I read into it... For Dazai is smart, and is probably smart enough to know that Ango’s actions are a piece of Mori’s plans of which he had fallen victim to.

To add, this interpretation of this which Dazai seeks would also fit into the context of Oda’s final words (which god I had been thinking about a lot).

“Whether you’re on the side that kills people or saves people, nothing beyond what you expect will appear”

Because humans are greedy, most of the time, we think for ourselves before others even if we try out best. So can he find this trust in such a condition? Perhaps not. That’s why that void in Dazai can never fill, because what he yearns for is perhaps beyond what we can have. And almost no one seems to understand this truth, which is why he feels so alone.

And yet Oda still tells Dazai to go to save people. If Dazai truly believes that “Living itself is the source of sin”, then he knows that if he could become a better person, it would motivate him. And perhaps Oda also knew, the side that saves people may have people closer to that which Dazai seeks.

“Do people exist to redeem themselves? Indeed that’s how it is.”

Perhaps so, Oda. And thus this statement, may have shone hope for Dazai.

This discussion will continue in part 2

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pompompurin1028 · 3 years

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UM EXCUSE ME THE ANIMATION😳🦋🦋💞

#kat rambles #kat's dazai brainrot #he's so pretty I cannot😭#my goodness #LOOK AT HIS HAIR HIS FEET MOVING AND THE SHAKING OF THE SAKE BOTTLE STOPP #AND THE SMILE UGH #sorry I'm just out right simping here🥲

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pompompurin1028 · 2 years

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He is angwy >:(

#He's so cute I love him😭#kat rambles #kat's dazai brainrot

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pompompurin1028 · 2 years

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This Dazai my beloved <3

#coming back to profess my love for him #let me hug and kiss you and take care of you🥺#I literally have such a soft spot for him I'm gonna cry😭#Also I've been reading Dazai-sensei's works during my haitus if you hadn't read his rewrite of Urashima-san #I suggest you do it made me think and feel things😳#kat rambles #kat's dazai brainrot

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pompompurin1028 · 2 years

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I saw this in a thread on Twitter saying that if someone told Dazai they were proud of them he would started crying. And I found this video in the thread and as watching this during the break in class I freaking started tearing up

#Them making Dazai cry in the stage plays feels like a stab to the heart #kat rambles #kat's dazai brainrot

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pompompurin1028 · 2 years

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I FORGOT HOW PRETTY DAZAI'S HANDS ARE IN THE ANIME

#why so pretty????#kat rambles #kat's dazai brainrot #I never wanted to hold a hand so bad T^T

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pompompurin1028 · 3 years

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I'm currently rewatching Season 3 and this scene struck me really hard because I can see the parallels between Dazai-sensei's books and this scene. And I love it so much but it hurts me.

It reminds me of these quotes from No Longer Human, "All that can happen now is that one foul, humiliating sin will be piled on another, and my sufferings will become only the more acute. I want to die. I must die. Living itself is the source of sin." This quote is literally a reflection of the first image that we see. That people are sinful, to live, to be a human being is sinful on its own. That's what Dazai seems to believe according to his works.

In The Setting Sun, he also mentioned that "I am convinced that dying is not a sin". So does that mean the opposite is true as well?

But what I find most interesting about this is after these two quotes, in the same chapter not far from it, this statement is juxtaposed with a beautiful show of humanity and the goodness and genuinity.

In No Longer Human, "Horiki sat in front of me and said, with a gentle smile, the likes of which I had never before seen on his face, 'I hear you've coughed up blood.' I felt so grateful, so happy for that gentle smile that I averted my face and wept. I was completely shattered and smothered by that one gentle smile." This shows that despite the sinfulness of the people, Dazai/Yozo continues to see that there is hope, light, a gentler and kinder side to humanity.

Just like in The Setting Sun, in which Naoji talkes about the woman he fell in love with, Suga, "there was nothing of coquetry or desire in the kindness which had impelled her to throw the blanket over me. Might not the word "humanity" be revived to use of such a moment?"

Perhaps he said the following in the second image because of these brief moments of "humanity", these bright moments that reveal a different side to human beings. And Dazai saw them perhaps, in people like Oda, Ango and those in the ADA. And not only that, human beings are not black and white, humans are cruel, callous and yet still holding a tender and kinder side that some of us don't even know. It is because we are surrounded by darkness that such things shine even brighter (thank you @requiem626k for saying this before it is quite fitting here). And if that's the case, then what is so wrong with being human?

Note: Other translations of this scene had been "what's wrong with that?" or "that's fine isn't it?" for the second image

#bungou stray dogs #bsd dazai #dazai osamu #bsd anime #bsd theories #bsd #bsd analysis #bungou stray dogs analysis #kat's late night thoughts #kat's dazai brainrot #tw suicide

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pompompurin1028 · 3 years

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I’m so sorry for spamming you with asks all day long😭😭 But omg I gotta ask you this before I forget!!

So I was reading No Longer Human and this paragraph really interested me:

Crime and Punishment. Dostoievski. These words grazed over a corner of my mind, startling me. Just supposing Dostoievski ranged 'crime' and 'punishment' side by side not as synonyms but as antonyms. Crime and punishment—absolutely incompatible ideas, irreconcilable as oil and water. I felt I was beginning to understand what lay at the bottom of the scum-covered, turbid pond, that chaos of Dostoievski's mind—no, I still didn't quite see... Such thoughts were flashing through my head like a revolving lantern when I heard a voice. (…)

This is really interesting, especially considering Fyodor’s scene in Dead Apple where he talked about Crime and Punishment.

What do you think he truly meant here? I understand that his sense of “crime” isn’t the same with the dictionary definition of crime, normally one would consider the punishment to be the consequence of the crime. Is he talking about the corruption of justice or the society? I wish we got more insight about his thoughts on this, but Yozo gets interrupted during his inner monologue which is saddening.

Ahh I'm so glad someone wanted to talk to me about this!! Because this part had been on my mind a lot since I've read the book, as this is one of the parts that I didn't really grasp and understand. But also really interested me, and I wished he wasn’t interrupted too. Ahh Dazai-sensei’s mind is so intriguing. Anyways

I do also feel that he is referring to a different type of crime, not the kind that we see in the justice system. No, I don't think Yozo nor Dazai has much care about that type of crime. After all, as we've seen in the anime, as Oda said good and bad doesn't mean much to him. This is also parallel of one quote in The Setting Sun, “I have never, not even once, acted on the basis of any doctrine or philosophy”.

But what if he isn’t referring to that kind of crime? I mean even Yozo himself said “actions punishable by jail sentence is not the only crime”. Crime can also be defined as “an action or activity considered to be evil, shameful, or wrong”. And what does this parallel to? Perhaps some other quotes from No Longer Human, “Mine has been a life of much shame” or “Living itself is the source of sin”. So is being human a source of crime in his pov? For we are constantly deceiving one another, as he said:

“I am convinced that human life is full with many pure, happy, serene examples of insincerity, truly splendid of their kind-of people deceiving one another without wounds being inflicted...”

But why does he see repentance, confession and prayer as synonyms to crime if that is the case? Perhaps it is because to do so, is to go against the normalcy of what Dazai seems to deem as humanity, and thus it is seen by others as a crime?

And yet, Dazai sees punishment as a complete opposite perhaps it is because this “crime” which he sees humanity commit is so frequent that it is ingrained in us? And is never punished for?

I honestly have no idea, but that could be one way to interpret it. But in a sense it is kind of ironic, because although Yozo seems to recognize this “crime of humanity” and is confessing his “crimes” in his works, he himself is deemed a criminal by the rest of humanity, as people like Horiki sees him as a criminal.

Honestly this whole part of the story is so interesting to me, and I’m so glad you wanted to talk about it haha. I wracked my brain for this😂

I also really like how this analysis interprets it, this is also the analysis which talked about Dead Apple and Carl Jung! And I urge you to read it, but only after season 3 as it has spoilers for it. There are also some manga spoilers in it as well unfortunately, but not too much I’d say?

#Req🎻#I hope this make sense my brain is kinda tired haha #no longer human #dazai osamu #kat rambles #kat's dazai brainrot #asks💌

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