Schoolgirl - Osamu Dazai

by Osamu Dazai

Schoolgirl  is a poignant exploration of youth, identity, and the alienation experienced in early 20th-century Japan. Osamu Dazai delves into the inner world of a young girl grappling with the expectations of society and the confusion of adolescence. Through the fragmented diary entries and reflections of the unnamed protagonist, the story reveals themes of loneliness, the search for meaning, and the struggle to reconcile individual desires with societal pressures.

Since its publication, Schoolgirl has been praised for its intimate and confessional style, which offers a raw and honest portrayal of a young woman's emotional landscape. Dazai's ability to capture the subtle nuances of teenage anxiety and existential questioning has secured the work's place as a significant piece in Japanese modernist literature. The narrative's introspective tone and focus on the protagonist's psychological depth invite readers to empathize with the universal challenges of growing up.

The enduring significance of Schoolgirl lies in its reflection on the fragility of youth and the complexities of self-awareness in a rapidly changing world. By illuminating the tensions between personal freedom and social conformity, the novella encourages readers to consider the silent struggles behind outward appearances and the profound impact of societal expectations on individual identity.

 

110 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2025

About the author

Osamu DAZAI (native name: 太宰治, real name Shūji Tsushima) was a Japanese author who is considered one of the foremost fiction writers of 20th-century Japan. A number of his most popular works, such as Shayō (The Setting Sun) and Ningen Shikkaku (No Longer Human), are considered modern-day classics in Japan.
With a semi-autobiographical style and transparency into his personal life, Dazai’s stories have intrigued the minds of many readers. His books also bring about awareness to a number of important topics such as human nature, mental illness, social relationships, and postwar Japan.

Reviews

[آية · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, it was such an easy read. I like the authors descriptive writing style, heavily focused on imagery and similes. Although I didn’t like the protagonist at first, I came to be more excepting of her wicked nature throughout the short time she was around. Nice!

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written with great imagery. I liked the bits of repetition throughout, I feel it added to the somewhat oppressive atmosphere of the story. He's able to convey things in a way that makes you go "Oh that's the perfect way to describe what I was feeling."

[aly flowers · Rating 3 out of 5]

first dazai

[Caterina Folchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I realise from various experiences in my life just how enormous our instincts are, and how powerless we are against the force that drives us, I sometimes think I might lose my mind.