So Justice with a Smile was published in English last month, and I feel like it helped me view Dazai through a whole new perspective! A talented protagonist loved by his family who eventually accomplishes his goal? This is not very common in Dazai’s works, so it was very exciting to see. I wasn’t a huge fan of the main character, given his blatant misogyny and constant incivility, but it was still interesting to see the world through his eyes.
I also really enjoyed Susumu’s relationship with his older brother. I feel like it gave me a deeper insight into Dazai’s relationship with his own older brother, Bunji, given Dazai’s tendency to draw from his own life. As the translator said in the afterword, knowing that Bunji stepped into a father-like role after the death of their father gives the relationship between Susumu and his brother a much deeper meaning. Additionally, knowing Dazai never finished his degree, Susumu’s dropping out to pursue acting and succeeding shows that Dazai did have some hope for himself, at least when he was writing this.
Sorry this post might not be super coherent LOL. I just want something to talk about with people once they join the forum.