What is the meaning of function of the と (無駄と) in this sentence?

Question

士道はもう何を言っても無駄とつっこみを諦め、はあと息を吐いて問い返した。

Hi. Dear teachers.

What is the meaning and function of the 「と」 (無駄と) in this sentence?

Thank you.

Answer 1

You could parse it this way...

士道は『もう何を言っても無駄』とつっこみを諦め、...

The と is a quotative particle. It marks the thought of the subject (= 士道 here).

士道 gave up つっこみ, thinking 「もう何を言っても無駄」, and...

These threads might help:

• Use of quote marker と before unusual verbs
• Embedded question followed by と
• Questions about 僕の時計が「7時だよ。おはよう。おきろ」と、起こしてくれるのだが、無意識に止めて、また寝てしまう