THIS! Since he succeeded in realizing it was his people teaching this prejudice, not his faith, he didn't have to lose that important part of himself to become less prejudiced. And he probably wouldn't have anyways, but still. Some would've distanced themselves from all of it to become a better person or might've had to. But he didn't.
Really, really need people to understand how important it is that Matthias kept his faith while unlearning the toxic beliefs that people had instilled in him. That’s really important to his character actually.
Matthais being killed essentially by a younger version of himself will never fail to make me sad. Even in SoC, I always had a bit of a soft spot for him. I'm not sure why, but I just...did, I guess? And I was so happy when he made it over his hurdles in SoC. When he finally accepted how much he actually adored Nina.
But mostly, it's him coming to terms with the fact that maybe Grisha aren't all that bad. I absolutely loved his arc of overcoming his own prejudices. I also love how it isn't very rushed. His acceptance didn't feel sudden to me, it made perfect sense when it happened considering everything, at least in my opinion.
I only watched season 1 and a bit of season 2 of Shadow and Bone, so if it's different in the series (which I wouldn't know myself because I don't really remeber the show other than somehow squishsing the Crows in with the main story,) disregard this post.
I love how when you first read Catch-22, it can be, well, kind of confusing near the beginning. However, at least in my case, since it was interesting and well written I personally didn't mind.
But slowly, everything sort of ties itself together. It also gets increasingly more and more serious. An obvious example of this would be chapter 39, 'The Eternal City.' But for me, one that really stuck out to me was chapter 32, 'Yo-Yo's Roomies.' It really did a good job of showing how much Yossarian truly missed Orr, no matter how many times Orr pissed off Yossarian.
At the same time, that chapter I also found notably funny in the way it's written. Especially the lines "They reminded him of Donald Duck's nephews," and "They had not brains enough to be introverted and repressed." and I just love how it's them being nice and friendly to Yossarian with overall good intentions xD.
Also rereading this makes things so much more understandable. All the random details mentioned, its even better when you know the context behind those little references, like "It was still more frustrating to try to appeal directly to Major Major, the long and bony sqaudron commander, who looked a little bit like Henry Fonda in distress and went jumping out the window of his office each time Yossarian bullied his way past Sergent Towser to speak to him about it." It's fun reading that actually knowing who Major Major Major Major is and why he does in fact, jump out the window.
I think that's kind of why some people dislike/give up on this book (well part of the reason) because it can seem kind of random the first time through, but for me personally, that was part of the beauty of it the first time I read it. Idk though, I just personally reveled in the beginning chaos.
Sorry if I missed some details, it's early, but...
Just because Dazai didn't constantly beat up Akutagawa doesn't mean he didn't abuse him. Dazai was cruel to another child. Akutagawa was never good enough for Dazai, no matter what he did. This was all such a constant that Akutagawa's sole purpose in life became pleasing/getting some praise from Dazai. Do people not realize how sad that is? And then when Dazai resurfaces with Atsushi, actually praising him and treating him well....
It's the only logical explanation, imo, as to why Akutagawa had such a visceral initial reaction to Atsushi. It's why he hated so strongly. It's also the reason why he abused Kyouka.
This post is NOT justifying Akutagawa's actions, or anyone's really. I'm just saying. I say a screenshot where someone said Dazai didn't abuse Akutagawa, and it got me kinda ranting ngl.
the accuracy omg 😭
My favourite thing ever is the fact that the Trials of Apollo chapter names are all Haikus
I need this to be an au
It breaks my heart that if young Akutagawa met young Atsushi he would've taken him in and cared for him in the way he did the other orphans
“Yes I can give you a reason to live” said the man with the most dead inside stare in human history
Anyway now that America is over we can definitely say Catch-22 was the Great American Novel and it isn't even close. Banger quotes in literally every paragraph. Ugh. Delicious.
We need more percabeth friendship.
Percy and Annabeth sending letters to each other after the summer session
Percy asking if Annabeth if she wants to go the movies while getting flustered because it sounds like a date and it’s totally not a date
Percy buying random knick knacks for Annabeth because they reminded him of her
Percy asking his mom if they could make Annabeth cookies before he goes to camp for the summer
Annabeth learning how to skateboard and play basketball
Annabeth visiting the beach as often as she can when in San Fransisco because it reminds her of Percy
Percy and Annabeth getting into long winded debates about something silly and bursting out into laughter when they realize it’s been three hours
Annabeth bribing the Hermes cabin to get some cans of Blue Cherry Coke for her and Percy to share on his first night of camp
Annabeth admitting that she misses Percy sometimes to his face and he says something cheesy like ‘remember that we’re under the same sky’
Annabeth and Percy talking to their classmates, subconsciously slipping in a tidbit about the other
Annabeth and Percy sitting together when they make their camp beads
Percy and Annabeth just being such good friends, that when they realize that they’re in love, they know it was only a matter of time