Obsession Of Women In The Tale Of Genji
The Tale of Genji
The Tale of Genji is a classic novel from Japanese literature that revolves around men’s obsession of women. The novel is sometimes hard to follow due to the fact people from the Heian Period in Japan (c. 794-c. 1185) thought it was rude to name people; therefore people are referred to by their rank, color of clothing or place they came from instead of their name. People’s names can change throughout the novel due to a change in political status or change in address. (New World Encyclopedia 2008). Throughout The Tale of Genji, the men and women suffer horribly for their obsessions by suffering from anxiety, being unable to control their own actions, and by making bad decisions.
The main character of the tale is a man referred to as Genji who puts himself in uncomfortable situations due to his obsession with certain women. There are several other characters throughout the novel who also suffer from their obsessions. The definition of obsession is a compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by …show more content…
symptoms of anxiety (TheFreedictionary.com 2011). Another definition is the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc. (Dictionary.com 2011).
The male characters of this novel most definitely experience anxiety because of the agony and longing that was caused by their obsession of women. The Emperor cannot tolerate a moment without Lady Kiritsubo: ‘He had scarcely been able to bear a moment away from her while she lived.’ Genji is in pain over his desire for Fujitsubo: ‘The yearning in his young heart for the other lady was agony’. He also loses sleep over his anxiety for Murasaki: ‘he would be impossibly restless, overcome with longing for the girl. Even to Genji himself it seemed excessive.’
Obsession makes the characters of the tale not care about what other people think, and it makes them unable to control their actions. In the first chapter, the Emperor falls in love with a woman named Lady Kiritsubo who is not of his social standard. Such as the way it goes with obsessions, he is unable to control himself when it comes to this woman: ‘No longer caring what his ladies and courtiers might say, he behaved as if intent upon stirring gossip.’ Unfortunately for Lady Kiritsubo (whose death was caused by the Emperors obsession), it does matter what other people think, especially if a person is a high ranking official, of which the Emperor most certainly is.
Because of the Emperor’s obsession he was unable to make correct decisions and make things better for everyone involved instead of only for him. It seems as if the male characters confuse love with obsession. If the Emperor was not obsessed and only loved Lady Kiritsubo, he would be able to see that he was in fact doing the woman more harm than good by showing too much love for her. It makes things worse that Lady Kiritsubo is unable to defend herself against the Emperors actions: ‘The sad fact was that the girl was without strong backing, and each time a new incident arose she was next to defenseless.’ Due to his demands that she spend all her time with him she was frowned upon: ‘Because of his unreasonable demands she was widely held to have fallen into immoderate habits out of keeping with her rank.’ The Emperor also moved Lady Kiritsubo closer to him even though her social standing did not call for the closeness: ‘He moved a lady out of rooms adjacent to his own and assigned them to the Kiritsubo lady and so, of course, aroused new resentment.’ Considering the fact that women were looked upon as a prize or thing to own, I would say men did not know how to truly love a woman.
I assume it would be like me trying to love a dog or couch as my significant other. When I think about it like that it sounds absurd to be able to love a woman back then like men are expected to today. I always thought the Japanese were highly honorable people but this tale makes me think otherwise. I have never seen such carelessness of other people’s feelings as Genji and the other men in this tale are to the women in their lives. They seem very selfish. For instance when Kashiwagi knows that Genji has discovered his affair with Genji’s wife, the Third Princess, he is literally physically sick because of it. Not because he has ruined the Third Princess’s life but because he is ashamed of Genji knowing he betrayed him: ‘I cannot face the world knowing that he
knows’.
If I had to base my opinion on Japanese notions of love and character on this tale alone, I would say they are flawed to say the least. The men of that time had complete control of women and could have as many women as they wanted. Throughout The Tale of Genji, several men force themselves on the women of their obsession, knowing the women could not do anything about it. If the men in this story truly loved the women instead of being obsessed with them they would have respected them and their situation instead of taking advantage of it. Genji actually stole a young girl and groomed her to be his ideal woman: ‘What a delight if he could take her into his house and make her his ideal!’ Women were not things to be loved and cherished in this tale; instead they were things to do with as men pleased: ‘Murasaki was the perfect companion, a toy for him to play with’. The women are pawns in the men’s game of life.
Genji and the Emperor’s life story in the tale are prime examples of how obsession can be a very powerful thing that causes anxiety, takes control of a person’s life, and causes people to make bad decisions. Just think how much happier their lives, and the women in their lives, would have been if they were not controlled by obsession. We all are guilty of obsessive behavior at some point in our lives. I think this story helps us recognize this behavior and know the consequences that come with it.
I have neither given nor received help on this test/assignment. I am in compliance with the Cleveland Community College Academic Honesty Policy. The work is my own and proper documentation was completed, if appropriate.
Student Name: Kimberly Dawn McCurry Date 11-8-11
The Tale of Genji is a classic novel from Japanese literature that revolves around men’s obsession of women. The novel is sometimes hard to follow due to the fact people from the Heian Period in Japan (c. 794-c. 1185) thought it was rude to name people; therefore people are referred to by their rank, color of clothing or place they came from instead of their name. People’s names can change throughout the novel due to a change in political status or change in address. (New World Encyclopedia 2008). Throughout The Tale of Genji, the men and women suffer horribly for their obsessions by suffering from anxiety, being unable to control their own actions, and by making bad decisions.
The main character of the tale is a man referred to as Genji who puts himself in uncomfortable situations due to his obsession with certain women. There are several other characters throughout the novel who also suffer from their obsessions. The definition of obsession is a compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by …show more content…
symptoms of anxiety (TheFreedictionary.com 2011). Another definition is the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc. (Dictionary.com 2011).
The male characters of this novel most definitely experience anxiety because of the agony and longing that was caused by their obsession of women. The Emperor cannot tolerate a moment without Lady Kiritsubo: ‘He had scarcely been able to bear a moment away from her while she lived.’ Genji is in pain over his desire for Fujitsubo: ‘The yearning in his young heart for the other lady was agony’. He also loses sleep over his anxiety for Murasaki: ‘he would be impossibly restless, overcome with longing for the girl. Even to Genji himself it seemed excessive.’
Obsession makes the characters of the tale not care about what other people think, and it makes them unable to control their actions. In the first chapter, the Emperor falls in love with a woman named Lady Kiritsubo who is not of his social standard. Such as the way it goes with obsessions, he is unable to control himself when it comes to this woman: ‘No longer caring what his ladies and courtiers might say, he behaved as if intent upon stirring gossip.’ Unfortunately for Lady Kiritsubo (whose death was caused by the Emperors obsession), it does matter what other people think, especially if a person is a high ranking official, of which the Emperor most certainly is.
Because of the Emperor’s obsession he was unable to make correct decisions and make things better for everyone involved instead of only for him. It seems as if the male characters confuse love with obsession. If the Emperor was not obsessed and only loved Lady Kiritsubo, he would be able to see that he was in fact doing the woman more harm than good by showing too much love for her. It makes things worse that Lady Kiritsubo is unable to defend herself against the Emperors actions: ‘The sad fact was that the girl was without strong backing, and each time a new incident arose she was next to defenseless.’ Due to his demands that she spend all her time with him she was frowned upon: ‘Because of his unreasonable demands she was widely held to have fallen into immoderate habits out of keeping with her rank.’ The Emperor also moved Lady Kiritsubo closer to him even though her social standing did not call for the closeness: ‘He moved a lady out of rooms adjacent to his own and assigned them to the Kiritsubo lady and so, of course, aroused new resentment.’ Considering the fact that women were looked upon as a prize or thing to own, I would say men did not know how to truly love a woman.
I assume it would be like me trying to love a dog or couch as my significant other. When I think about it like that it sounds absurd to be able to love a woman back then like men are expected to today. I always thought the Japanese were highly honorable people but this tale makes me think otherwise. I have never seen such carelessness of other people’s feelings as Genji and the other men in this tale are to the women in their lives. They seem very selfish. For instance when Kashiwagi knows that Genji has discovered his affair with Genji’s wife, the Third Princess, he is literally physically sick because of it. Not because he has ruined the Third Princess’s life but because he is ashamed of Genji knowing he betrayed him: ‘I cannot face the world knowing that he
knows’.
If I had to base my opinion on Japanese notions of love and character on this tale alone, I would say they are flawed to say the least. The men of that time had complete control of women and could have as many women as they wanted. Throughout The Tale of Genji, several men force themselves on the women of their obsession, knowing the women could not do anything about it. If the men in this story truly loved the women instead of being obsessed with them they would have respected them and their situation instead of taking advantage of it. Genji actually stole a young girl and groomed her to be his ideal woman: ‘What a delight if he could take her into his house and make her his ideal!’ Women were not things to be loved and cherished in this tale; instead they were things to do with as men pleased: ‘Murasaki was the perfect companion, a toy for him to play with’. The women are pawns in the men’s game of life.
Genji and the Emperor’s life story in the tale are prime examples of how obsession can be a very powerful thing that causes anxiety, takes control of a person’s life, and causes people to make bad decisions. Just think how much happier their lives, and the women in their lives, would have been if they were not controlled by obsession. We all are guilty of obsessive behavior at some point in our lives. I think this story helps us recognize this behavior and know the consequences that come with it.
I have neither given nor received help on this test/assignment. I am in compliance with the Cleveland Community College Academic Honesty Policy. The work is my own and proper documentation was completed, if appropriate.
Student Name: Kimberly Dawn McCurry Date 11-8-11