#But it's true that Akutagawa‚ plagued and tormented throughout the whole manga‚ looked the most peaceful in his dying moments

[kyouka-supremacy]

#it feels like another layer of dehumanization #to feel so lowly that you casually refer to yourself in an incredibly degrading manner #the definitions of ‘yatsugare’ can be translated to a servant/slave #one of the earliest depictions of the use was a pictogram #depicting a slave or prisoner with a ‘tail’ to represent their low status akin to an animal #not only does he refer to himself in such a demeaning manner he is also represented with animal motifs #the dehumanization of Akutagawa’s character goes far deeper than being called a rabid dog #what gets to me is that nobody else degrades him more than he degrades himself #Mori and Dazai both refer to him as -kun #which is a semi-formal way of addressing someone younger than you #it’s especially interesting with Mori because he addresses everybody by -kun #especially the women which is seen as a respectful gesture since it’s more formal than -chan. #so the semi formal method of address doesn’t seem to have any intent behind it. #dazai’s way of refering to others is respectful too although he’s more playful with it. #he doesn’t refer to Akutagawa in a different way. he still uses the respectful honorific when talking to or about him. #i know it might not sound that important but two of the characters with most influence and authority over him #although their treatment of him is objectively shitty #do not degrade him so casually the way he does to himself.

If I think too much about Akutagawa addressing himself as yatsugare I'll start feeling a lump in my throat and suddenly feel the need to throw up