Comparative Literature and Culture 1020 Lecture 10: Nov 6 +8: Genji cont
Document Summary
Three women: kiritsubo fujitsubo murasaki => the relationship of substitution. The name of murasaki is the same with the author: we are still uncertain whether the author borrow the name of the character or the character is loaned the name of her. Murasaki was a little girl (10 years old) when she met genji. We know that genji is very good-looking, radiant (page 544), inresistable in some way. The idea of male beauty at that time of japanese culture is not about masculinity, would consist of perfumes, certain physical features, (moon-faced, whiteness of the face ) the male beauty is more in feminine way. We never know his actual features poetics of indirection. Page 532: the daughter of prince hyobu what a delight if he could take her into his house and make her his ideal! . As readers, we have the access to psychological and mental state of the main character: mentally talking to himself free indirect discourse/speech.