Uchiha Itachi and the Six stages of Loss

[GuardianoftheNakano]

I was discussing Itachi's psychological reasoning with my friend, and I realized something. From the time of Shisui's death until his leaving the village, Itachi seemed to experience the six stages of loss. Observe:

Stage One: Shock

Spoiler

You must be registered for see images

Notice Itachi's startled then dulled expression in this chapter. Itachi is a decently and elegantly loquacious character, able to coherently and fluently express his reasoning behind his actions. But here he is rendered absolutely speechless, only able to think of his friend's name.

Think of it rationally. He may be a ninja, exposed to countless acts of violence and bloody images in his short lifetime, but this is his best friend, whom of which we can safely assume he has never seen in this position before. It is a reasonable assumption that he is in shock.

Stage Two: Pain and Guilt

Spoiler

You must be registered for see images

This stage lead to the Mangekyou Sharingan.

I already know that the Mangekyou Sharingan can be gained by losing your closest friend, but at the time, the idea was that you had to kill them specifically. So my theory was that, after discovering that Itachi did not kill Shisui, Itachi felt so guilty about Shisui's death that his conscience took responsibility and he blamed himself to the extent where he gained the Mangekyou Sharingan.

Example thoughts (From Itachi's perspective): Because of my inability to pacify the situation in time, Shisui felt the need to step in and try and resolve the situation himself. Therefore, if I was not so incapable, Shisui would not be dead.

This is the irrational thinking that could come with losing such a close and intimate friend.

Stage Three: Anger

Spoiler

You must be registered for see images

This is evident in our usually docile prodigy attacking his fellow clansmen and even shouting at his father in this chapter. He appears more hostile and a tad on edge at this time. Coupled with stress, it's a wonder Itachi didn't kill them. Hehe...

Stage Four: Depression and Sorrow

Spoiler

You must be registered for see images

It seems to start with Itachi gazing fondly and sadly at Shisui's suicide note before killing the clan, then to his breaking down when he kills his parents. While this is common enough (considering), Itachi seems a bit more hurt than he would be in a normal situation, meaning: if he wasn't experiencing the six stages, he probably wouldn't be sobbing quite as hard as it appeared he was.

Stage Five: Testing and Reconstruction

Spoiler

You must be registered for see images

He seems to be saying his goodbyes when he sheds his final tears, sparing Sasuke a final glance and leaving the village, deciding on his fate, which leads to the last stage:

Stage Six: Acceptance

Spoiler

You must be registered for see images

Itachi decides on his fate to die by Sasuke's hands in repentance, joins Akatsuki, and protects the village from the outside, steadily moving on until his death.

Any thoughts?

-The Thoughtful Nakano~

 

[Fodder#4]

Pretty emotional, he did sacrifice a lot for his village and it's only natural that he'd be affected by all of this to such a degree.

 

[Itachi The Solo King]

Itachi solo's nothing more.. nothing less

But nice thread bro

 

[Uchiha Legacy]

These are the experiences that created God, very insightful.

 

[Optimistic]

This is by far the most insightful thread i've ever read.

 

[Vandenre1ch]

Woah. Pretty insightful. Plus rep for all that typing.

 

[Colonel Armstrong]

nah you gotta get respect for this thread bro.

 

[Megan Terumi]

Cool story bro

 

[Super7]

This was a good read, creatively put together. Good job!

 

[King Of Crows]

What a magnificent analysis. My only question would be him experiencing the first stage of loss before the actual loss has occurred. This could be countered by him realising that Shisui is planned on dying ?

 

[GuardianoftheNakano]

What a magnificent analysis. My only question would be him experiencing the first stage of loss before the actual loss has occurred. This could be countered by him realising that Shisui is planned on dying ?

The realization that he must be looking at a dead man would most likely have the same hard-hitting effect as him finding Shisui's body. The resolution to die is almost as poignant as the death itself, and even just the idea of losing somebody so intimate and personal (He was the only one Itachi trusted to tell of the massacre) must have set the wheels in motion.

And thank you very much!

 

[King Of Crows]

The realization that he must be looking at a dead man would most likely have the same hard-hitting effect as him finding Shisui's body. The resolution to die is almost as poignant as the death itself, and even just the idea of losing somebody so intimate and personal (He was the only one Itachi trusted to tell of the massacre) must have set the wheels in motion.

And thank you very much!

I would theorise that his reaction was only the realisation of what Shisui was getting at, in their convrsaton. What you say would be more appropriate to when Shisui says: "Please protect the village.... and the Uchiha's name."

This would mean two things from his final words

1. He is leaving his will and resolve with Itachi meaning he is, like you said, a dead man. So the first stage of loss would have been mostly likely felt after these words were said.

2. Note how he says to protect the Uchiha name, and not the clan. This means their reputation, essentially. For Itachi to do this he would have to stop them committing a coup at any cost, which in turn would protect the village and keep their name untarnished. This then leads to the Uchiha massacre <(-.-<) Shisui set Itachi on his path.

 

[GOD2U]

This theory is the best I've seen about itachi in awhile. Shows why itachi was one of the true shinobis of the series.

 

[HiddenSound]

Very, very nice thread