No Longer Human

The poignant and fascinating story of a young man caught between tradition and Western influence

• This narrative explores the clash between the breakup of the traditions of a northern Japanese aristocratic family and the impact of Western ideas.

About the protagonist

• In No Longer Human, Oba Yozo, the protagonist, portrays himself as a failure.
• He narrates a seemingly normal life while feeling incapable of understanding human beings.

Journey through alienation and struggle

• Early childhood: Oba Yozo's struggle to reconcile with the world begins in his early years.
• High school years: He becomes a "clown" to mask his alienation from others.
• Adulthood: His journey leads to a failed suicide attempt, capturing the depths of his despair.

Themes and tone

• Without sentimentality, the story records:
  • The casual cruelties of life.
  • Fleeting moments of human connection and tenderness.