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The character Murasaki 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 and self-image. Some critics argue that Murasaki is tiresomely perfect, and that several of the novel's other female characters are more complex and interesting.<ref name=between>Tyler, Royall, ''The Disaster of the Third Princess: Essays on the Tale of Genji'', "[http://press.anu.edu.au/third_princess/mobile_devices/ch01.html Genji and Murasaki: Between Love and Pride]", ANU</ref> But for most readers, Murasaki — both the author and the character — is the central figure of the novel. Genji's many love affairs are not just about infidelity, jealously, and romantic conquest, but also a device that allows Murasaki to describe and comment upon women of various status and situations.

The character Murasaki 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 and self-image. Some critics argue that Murasaki is tiresomely perfect, and that several of the novel's other female characters are more complex and interesting.<ref name=between>Tyler, Royall, ''The Disaster of the Third Princess: Essays on the Tale of Genji'', "[http://press.anu.edu.au/third_princess/mobile_devices/ch01.html Genji and Murasaki: Between Love and Pride]", ANU</ref> But for most readers, Murasaki — both the author and the character — is the central figure of the novel. Genji's many love affairs are not just about infidelity, jealously, and romantic conquest, but also a device that allows Murasaki to describe and comment upon women of various status and situations.

Dealing with straying husbands is a recurring theme. In the “rainy night conversation," Murasaki advises a woman whose husband has strayed to let him know tactfully that she knows and cares, and so to win back his affection. This advise is intended for women of the middle and lower classes. For the upper class, marriage and infidelity are bound up with status at court. But this logic, Murasaki may feel that she is entitled to jealousy.

Dealing with straying husbands is a recurring theme. In the “rainy night conversation," Murasaki advises a woman whose husband has strayed to let him know tactfully that she knows and cares, and so to win back his affection. This advise is intended for women of the middle and lower classes. For the upper class, marriage and infidelity are bound up with status at court. By this logic, Murasaki may feel that she is entitled to 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''). This phrase is used in various poems popular at the time to suggest a degree of separation from a lover.<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> Murasaki's long-suffering endurance is considered characteristically Japanese. It allows her to overshadow the novel's many colorful characters, at least for Japanese readers.

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''). This phrase is used in various poems popular at the time to suggest a degree of separation from a lover.<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> Murasaki's long-suffering endurance is considered characteristically Japanese. It allows her to overshadow the novel's many colorful characters, at least for Japanese readers.