[WHAT IF]

it's them 😭

Dazai Osamu (BSD): a case study of a nihilist turned absurdist

I've talked a bit before about the themes of absurdism within BSD, and I think this plays heavily into Dazai and the personal journey he's gone on throughout the series (light novels included). From my perspective, his character development has followed a shift in ideology, from nihilism to absurdism.

First, I'd like to define how these two philosophies are similar yet different. Nihilism is the belief that life is intrinsically meaningless, and that there's no value to seeking meaning. Absurdism also believes that life has no intrinsic meaning, but states that revolting against the absurdity of existence is the way to create meaning.

While I don't think Dazai 100% fits either category fully at any given point in his life as we've seen it thus far, I think in his PM days he leans more towards a nihilist perspective, and following Oda's death he leans more towards an absurdist perspective.

Dazai's reasoning for joining the PM was because he thought that perhaps being around violence and raw emotions would help him understand humanity, giving him a reason to live. This doesn't sound quite like nihilism, but honestly, I think he gains a more nihilist point of view as time progresses and he realizes that he can't find meaning in the PM. I'm not even sure he believed that there was meaning to find in the first place, he was just desperate to prove himself wrong, and then failed, which really cemented this nihilistic mindset for him.

Friedrich Nietzsche, often regarded as the founding father of nihilism, claimed that nihilism "not only the belief that everything deserves to perish; but one actually puts one shoulder to the plough; one destroys.”

If life doesn't have meaning, then it doesn't matter to Dazai if he destroys. So, he fills a corpse with bullets, he horrifically abuses his subordinate, he actively tries to take his own life.

Nihilism is right in line with his suicidal nature. This isn't to say that all nihilists are inherently suicidal, but when one believes that life has no meaning, it's quite easy to come to the conclusion to kill oneself. I think this mindset really lends to his general depression and suicidal ideation, on top of the fact that he feels generally disconnected from humanity. It's so easy for him to consider himself inhuman because he has this nihilistic point of view that nothing matters and everyone else in society seems so dead set on opposing that worldview.

And then you have Oda. He is the closest thing Dazai gets to finding meaning within the PM. Like Chuuya, this is a person that fascinates Dazai, although his reason for fascination is much different. To Dazai, Oda represents what is good in the world, he thinks that he is a good man, and struggles to reconcile how a good person can come out of an existence so seemingly pointless and horrific.

Then, Oda dies.

It's an absurd occurrence, and to Dazai it only proves that life has no meaning. This is exemplified when Dazai speaks to Fyodor about God in Meursault: "[God] is known for is famous for his coincidences and absurdism, I've seen it countless times," and a flashback to Oda's death is shown. A good man died for seemingly no good reason, and to Dazai, this only proves life's meaningless, because to the universe it didn't matter who Oda was, he died, regardless.

(I quoted the dialogue from the BSD anime English dub because I feel it better suited my argument, but you can see that he's essentially saying the same thing).

This event should have only further cemented Dazai as a hardcore nihilist, but fortunately for him, Oda was able to get a word in before he passed. He told Dazai that as long as he believes the sides of good and bad are the same to him, he should be on the side that helps people. Oda suggests fighting against life's inherent absurdity -- and that's absurdism in a nutshell, revolting against a meaningless universe.

Dazai takes his advice, and within a few years, he's working for the ADA, he's on the side that helps people.

In that same conversation with Fyodor, Dazai speaks further about life's meaning:

"Those who scream within the storm of uncertainty and run with flowing blood." That's absurdism, the rebellion against uncertainty, meaninglessness, absurdity.

While I don't think Dazai is a bona-fide absurdist due to his suicidality (absurdism basically sees suicide as giving into meaninglessness), I think he's on his way there because of moments like this.

I don't think he's totally convinced that life is completely and utterly meaningless anymore. He, at the very least, has a respect for those who forge their own meaning through the act of revolt.

"Man stands face to face with the irrational. He feels within him his longing for happiness and for reason. The absurd is born of this confrontation between the human need and the unreasonable silence of the world." - Albert Camus

Favorite TLTS episode: Devil Dog.

Here are my reasonings for choosing that episode as my favorite:

1. IT'S MOSTLY BAFFY FANFAIR!

2. Bugs being absolutely dumb as hell and not giving a shit if Taz is a dog or not.

3. Daffy freaking out and being somewhat clingy and terrified for Bugs' life (They're married. Fight me.)

4. The consistent TOUCHING from Daffy

5. The ending tho😖😖😖😖It's too cute!

6. The moment after Bugs comes home and Daffy's trying to convince him not to go in but Bugs insists. I thought he was about to confess that he loved Bugs but nah, Fuckin Warner Bros. Played me. I think i've been queer baited for a second.

But the look Daffy's giving Bugs and Bugs is just done with his shit today. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

7. Is this where Daffy got his green jacket from for the rap segment in Space Jam 2?!?!

Yep, it is. He got it from this episode. HC it still smells like Taz.

Thank you. I love this episode. That's all.

Deepest Darkest secret :3

I still watch those gacha reaction videos. Every time I join a new fandom my first instinct is to look at those gacha reaction vids. I love them sm guysss.

"At your big age?" Yes

"In 2024?" Y E S... YES YES YES YES.

Two children/teenagers have a pretty Wacky Weekend and discover more about eachother than they could ever think!

Anyway Snufkin and Sniff bodyswap story but Sniff is actually a respectable character with his own depth and is able to be on equal footing with Snufkin as a foil.

i’ll never wear your broken crown

Fan art for @frenchonionsoop ‘s AMAZING WORLD CHANGING stormbringer animatic!!!! Everyone go watch it NOW!!

The inky mystery animated pilot(IMA) congratulates all of those who managed to get approved as the official Voice Actors for our characters! You all did amazing and made such a perfect cast!

@theinkymystery

luffy WILL bring the dawn

i’ve been watching through the anime with my girlfriend and i’ve started collecting frames that make me go hey nika

(pt 2)

Moomins: The Turning of the Leaves pg. 1 of 31

#moomins #snufmin #moomintroll #snufkin #moominstheturningoftheleaves #moominvalley #comic

#inktober #inktober2023 #dream

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