The High Price You Pay For Not Choosing Yourself - The Philosophy of Osamu Dazai (Level 1)

No Longer Human is a famous Japanese book by Osamu Dazai. It is about a young man named Oba Yozo. Yozo feels very different from other people. He does not understand normal human feelings. For example, he does not even understand why people feel hungry. To fit in, Yozo acts like a clown. He makes jokes so people will like him. But inside, he is very sad and lonely. He hides his true self from the world. Over time, hiding makes him sick. He starts drinking too much and loses his mind. The book is actually about the author's own life. Dazai felt the same loneliness. The story teaches us a sad truth. Many people hide their true feelings to please others. It shows why it is important to be honest with ourselves.