Changes

Through much of the novel's extended narrative, Murasaki is dominated by Genji. Her personality becomes an extension of his. In the face of Genji's continued infidelity, she grows increasingly disgusted and resentful. In the novel's climatic scene, Murasaki announces her discovery of self: "There I was, [she] thought, completely miserable, and he, simple pastime or not, was sharing his heart with another! Well, I am I!”.<ref name="between" /> The line "I am I" is an abbreviated form of, "You are you, I am I." (''kimi wa kimi, ware wa ware''), a line from a poem popular at the time.<ref name=jealousy>Tyler, Royall, ''The Disaster of the Third Princess: Essays on the Tale of Genji'', "[http://press.anu.edu.au//third_princess/html/ch01s02.html Jealousy and self-affirmation]," ANU.</ref> Although feminists may side with the long-suffering Murasaki, the traditional view is that this is the moment she fell from grace. Despite the elaborate set up intended to justify her behavior, Murasaki is remembered in Japanese culture for her "jealousy" (''shitto'').<ref name="jealousy" />

Through much of the novel's extended narrative, Murasaki is dominated by Genji. Her personality becomes an extension of his. In the face of Genji's continued infidelity, she grows increasingly disgusted and resentful. In the novel's climatic scene, Murasaki announces her discovery of self: "There I was, [she] thought, completely miserable, and he, simple pastime or not, was sharing his heart with another! Well, I am I!”.<ref name="between" /> The line "I am I" is an abbreviated form of, "You are you, I am I." (''kimi wa kimi, ware wa ware''), a line from a poem popular at the time.<ref name=jealousy>Tyler, Royall, ''The Disaster of the Third Princess: Essays on the Tale of Genji'', "[http://press.anu.edu.au//third_princess/html/ch01s02.html Jealousy and self-affirmation]," ANU.</ref> Although feminists may side with the long-suffering Murasaki, the traditional view is that this is the moment she fell from grace. Despite the elaborate set up intended to justify her behavior, Murasaki is remembered in Japanese culture for her "jealousy" (''shitto'').<ref name="jealousy" />

Genji's marriage to the "Third Princess" proved to be his undoing. Marriage to a daughter of the emperor elevated Genji's status at court, but Murasaki was devastated. She died in her early forties. Genji, then in his early fifties, survives her as a mere shell of his former self. It appears that after the reader sees him for the last time, he leaves the world, retires to a [[Buddhist]] temple, and dies within a year or two.<ref>"[http://us.penguingroup.com/static/packages/us/taleofgenji/introduction3.html The Tale of Genji]"</ref>

Genji's marriage to the "Third Princess" proved to be his undoing. Marriage to a daughter of the emperor elevated Genji's status at court, but Murasaki was devastated. She died in her early forties. Genji, then in his early fifties, survives her as a mere shell of his former self. It appears that after the reader sees him for the last time, he leaves the world, retires to a [[Buddhist]] temple, and dies within a year or two.<ref>"[http://us.penguingroup.com/static/packages/us/taleofgenji/introduction3.html The Tale of Genji]"</ref> The final chapter of the book is entitled, "Vanished into the Clouds." It consisted of only the title and a blank page.

==Notes==

==Notes==