Difference between revisions of "The Tale of Genji"

Revision as of 03:52, September 20, 2014

The Tale of Genji is a classic Japanese novel about a self-centered, womanizing prince in Medieval Japan. It was written in the eleventh century by Lady Murasaki, who was well acquainted with life in the imperial court during the Heian Period. "Although fictional, the Tale of Genji is taken to be an accurate representation of aristocratic life in the middle of the Heian period (794-1195).^[1]

The main character, Genji, was a prodigy and prince who used his beauty and charm to seduce women and kidnap girls. One, named Murasaki, was a ten-year-old whom he made a child bride.^[2] The character is not to be confused with the author of the novel, who was not a child bride. Even though her life story is not the same as the author's, the character does represent the author in terms of personality, or at least self-image. Many readers complain that Murasaki is tiresomely perfect, especially compared to the novel's other female characters.^[3]

For a time, Murasaki is so dominated by Genji that her personality becomes an extension of his. However, she becomes increasingly disgusted and resentful in the face of Genji's continued infidelity. 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!”.^[3] The line "I am I" is an an abbreviated form of, "You are you, I am I." (kimi wa kimi, ware wa ware), a line used in a popular poem of the time.^[4] In Japanese culture, this line has given Murasaki the reputation of the being a jealous woman, although this is presumably not what the author intended.

In his old age Genji dies miserably. Murasaki dies two or three years later, 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.^[5]

Notes

1. ↑ [1]
2. ↑ Arnold, Mary, "Female Resistance to Male Authority, Part One
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Tyler, Royall, The Disaster of the Third Princess: Essays on the Tale of Genji, "Genji and Murasaki: Between Love and Pride", ANU
4. ↑ Tyler, Royall, The Disaster of the Third Princess: Essays on the Tale of Genji, "Jealousy and self-affirmation," ANU.
5. ↑ "The Tale of Genji"

External Links

• Gender Relations in The Tale of Genji
• Plot summary