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"She did not look like a common woman. She was probably over forty, her complexion exceptionally fair and graceful. Though she was thin, her cheeks were plump, and the strands of her hair, which had been cut attractively to neatly frame the area around her eyes, struck Genji as more distinctively fashionable than the long hair that was the common style. Watching her, he was touched by her appearance. " (Chapter v)

Gender roles

This text passage in Genji portrays that some women were to dress up or look presentable for others to see most common for women that come from rich families . Because in this passage it says " distinctively fashionable than the long hair that was the common style. Watching her, he was touched by her appearance. " Meaning that the lady comes from money or riches and is dressed up .

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"How I yearn to quickly pluck up and make my own

That little purple gromwell sprouting in the wild

With roots that share their color with wisteria" (Chapter V)

Gender Roles

Genji portrays Murasaki in this piece of evidence as wild, gorgeous, and thriving, in my opinion. It seems as though he describes the beauty and wildness of this place with purple gromwell, and he illustrates her growth with "sprouting." The gender roles described here is with the color purple and wisteria, and can correlate with a more feminine portrayal.

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“"Just once in a while I'd like to see you acting like a normal wife. I've been quite ill recently, but you couldn't be bothered to even ask how I was. I know that such callous behavior isn't rare for you, but I resent it all the same."

She paused for a moment, then responded, "Yes, I know how you feel. As the poet put it, 'How hurtful it is to be ignored.'" She cast a sidelong glance at him—an expression that gave her face an air of extreme reticence and an affect of grace and beauty.” (Shikibu, V P. B-268)

Relationships:

I chose this passage because it really demstrats the curtail values of the time and how important portent nobility was over love. We see as Genjis wife has stoped talking to him and ignores him and no longer loves him. We can also see how hurt Genji is because of this asking his wifi why she no longer speaks to him. All she has to respond for it is that communication works both ways and that Genji could also speak to her as well, overall showing that they do not have a good marriage.

This can be inferred as their marriage to be just for nobility and culture as they got married just because Genji turned of age to have wife's and not because he wanted too. It shows how they no longer have a need for one another and their match was just made so that Genji could go high in the nobility court and have a tittle, not having them fall involve or ind a better partner for Genji one that was close to his age but instead they used their love for power and their own self use in the court.

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Excellent! I thought. There’ll be a fresh pile of snow for the mountain—but then Her Majesty decided that this wasn’t fair. ‘We must brush off the new snow and leave the original heap as it was,’ she declared.(216)

The sentences I took from the book are gender roles explaining the true majesty of a woman, getting to have the right and understanding, people helping the great gods

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Eddy Aguirre

“The girl so reminded him of Fujitsubo that he wanted to keep her by his side and see her grow up, shaped by his ideals and desires. She was like a living reflection of what he had lost and what he longed for.”  (Chapter V, The Tale of Genji)

This passage really shows how complicated relationships are in The Tale of Genji. Genji isn’t even really in love with Murasaki for who she is. He's into her because she reminds him of Fujitsubo, the woman he couldn’t fully have. It’s like he’s trying to fill a gap in his heart, and Murasaki is just the one for him for that. The fact that he wants to mold her into some ideal version of Fujitsubo says a lot about how relationships work in the story. It’s not an equal connection. He’s basically projecting all his feelings and desires onto Murasaki instead of seeing her as her own person. It’s more about him controlling the situation rather than having a real, mutual relationship. Also, it kind of shows how relationships in that time were about more than just love. Genji’s using Murasaki to deal with his own unresolved emotions, and that makes things super complicated. It’s not just about affection, it’s tied up in his past and his need to control the outcome. So yeah, this passage really highlights how relationships in Genji are messy and layered. They’re not just about love, they’re full of desire, control, and people trying to work through their own emotional baggage.

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"She didn't look like the other girls at all; her features were so attractive that Gengi could tell at once she would grow up to be a woman of surpassing beauty" (Shikibu 5)

Gender roles:

This passage shows how Murasaki's beauty caught Gengi's attention. Gengi is memorized as Murasaki resembles the woman he loves. As the grandmother is ill, he tries endlessly to become Murasaki's main caregiver. From the quotation I provided, we can see how men used to think of women based on their looks or attractiveness. Women were expected to keep their beauty and be obedient, traits that Murasaki has.

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"Genji came to feel that his young Murasaki was a rare hidden treasure, his precious plaything." (B-281)

Relationship

In Chapter V, in this section Genji shows his possessive control over Murasaki. Showing his wishes that he wants to complete for her by wanting to get to know her better and to stay by her side forever. But Murasaki becomes uncomfortable around him by not knowing him very well. Genji would do anything in his power to protect her and raise her better in his place. Showing that he does not care the age she has at the moment and will take her with him because of her astonishing looks. And knows that she will grow up more beautifully and will become his wife later on in the future. This shows how in past history, men's only main thing in life was looking for their future wife, filled with beauty and their perfect features.

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"A woman becomes an adult when a husband looks after her, and so it is not my place to deal with the details concerning such a matter." (B-262)

Gender Roles

In this section, Genji is trying to convince the bishop to submit a request for Genji and the young girl to be married. Their sexist views at the time meant they didn't care if he wanted to marry a young girl. This highlights the fact that, until they are married and have their husbands watch after them, they don't take women seriously, regardless of their age. They didn't care for age Women were not treated equally in those days, and they gave more importance to men than to women, showing that during those times, men held the majority of the power.

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"The girl nodded, thinking how wonderful it would be if only she could. Subsequently, whenever she played with her Hina dolls or drew pictures of the court, she pretended that the lord was the Radiant Genji, and she would dress him in the finest attire and treat him most solicitously." (B-267)

Gender Roles

In this passage, we see a little girl pretending one of her dolls is Genji. We see her dress him and treat him with care, essentially serving him. This shows us how even a young girl is placed with the mentality that her role in the future as a grown woman will be to serve a man. This can tell us that this too occured in Heian culture. Girls were taught to learn skills and taught to serve a man. All this would be taught so they could be considered a good wife in their societies' eyes.

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"Just then the bishop entered and said, “What are you doing? You’re clearly visible from the outside. Why, today of all days, are you out on the veranda?" (B-260)

GENDER ROLES

In this section of chapter 5, there is 2 women from whom were having a private conversation were interrupted by the bishop, who was angered by them. Due to the current day in age, the roles of women were seen as inferior and must be kept away. The bishop worried that such women in plain sight would hurt his reputation. This demonstrates how women appearances mattered a lot during this era having them meet certain criteria in order to be seen as "attractive".

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In chapter five, Genji has traveled to a temple because he is ill, both physically and emotionally. He just can't seem to recover from the weight of the sin of loving Fujitsubo. While at the temple, Genji watches a nun and her young attendants interact, and he begins to feel a connection to one of the girls.

Later that night, Genji listens to the women, as they move quietly through their home. He taps his fan to get their attention and offers a poem,

"Glimpsing that sweet child so like a shoot of spring grass / The sleeves of my traveling robes never dry out / Damp as they are from dew and my own endless tears."

The "spring grass" symbolizes youth and innocence. In addition, like spring, it's a rebirth and new beginning. So by presenting this poem, is Genji implying that he wants a new beginning, a new phase of life with this child?

The "damp" sleeves imply sorrow and crying. It is clear that Genji is on a journey -- an actual journey and perhaps a spiritual or emotional journey. For some reason, the nun is "shocked" and "confused" about why Genji would want to share this with the mistress of the house. Perhaps because he is referring to the child of the bishop's household. How could Genji already be sorrowful at the sight of her? How could a man in his early twenties be drawn to an innocent, young girl of ten? As readers, we know that that Genji's attraction is because the beautiful girl reminds him of his true love Fujitsubo. The nun may not realize this, and she is concerned that he is addressing a child who does not know about the relationships between men and women.

Through poetry, Genji sends a message that is somewhat left open to interpretation. He is able to express his feelings without being direct. This creates a kind of freedom of expression. People are able to share forbidden feelings.

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“He would write her letters filled with beautiful poems, hoping to express his longing, yet mindful of the proper restraint a man of his rank should observe.” (Shikibu Chapter V)

In Heian culture, this line reflects gender standards and the cultural significance of poetry. Genji expressed his emotions through poetry, a complex and deceptive form of communication. This illustrates how both men and women used tact and emotional restraint to manage relationships. Because social conventions affect a man's behavior even in private writing, it also highlights the importance of position.

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Iker lizama

"She, however, was in no mood for reconciliation. Having heard that he had set up another woman at his villa"

(page: B-287)

Relathionships

In this Quote it really explains on the gender expectations on the Heian period as in married women are expected to be compliant and accept their husbands unfaithfulness. Murasaki refusal to reconcile with Genji after learning about his involvement with another woman is a subtle act of defiance. It underscores her agency and personal dignity, even in a society where her worth is largely defined by her relationships with men.

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"Still, he had to admit that there were no flaws in his wife’s appearance or manners that made him feel dissatisfied. And even though she did not understand his feelings for her, she was the first woman he had known, and so he could not help but regard her with special tenderness. He was sure that over time her attitude toward him would change and she would come to understand. After all, he had faith that, given her gentle and serious nature, she would naturally come around to him. The feelings he had for her were special and different from those he had for other women." Ch VII, Pg B-283

This passage is meaningful because it tells the readers Genji wanted a relationship with his wife. His wife was resistant because she was a kid that was married to a man. Murasaki was not happy with the idea of being married to a man at 10. Genji did not care for her age and wanted to know who the girl he married was he still had hope that at some point she would open up to him. Power dynamic and cultural values take a big part in an arranged marriage. We can see that with Murasaki where she is not happy with the arranged marriage but because Genji and his family are a family of power it only seems right for Genji to have a woman alongside him. It's a great reflection in cultural values because its very common to see an arranged marriage in other cultures whether there is love or not. Love is something that will eventually happen when married.

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I've decided to write over Chapter 5, and talk about this unusual relationship between Genji and Murasaki. Overtime It has been seen that Genji is obsessed over Murasaki from the first interaction they had. Although she is very young and immature Genji has become very persistent to train her over time to be the perfect wife for him when she turns of the age. Genji really emphasizes that Murasaki is an extraordinary girl and he has to take care of her. “Genji had poured his soul into his letter, which was written with deep sincerity, and as he had done before, he included a folded note for the little girl”... “My love for you is not shallow like the reflection of Mount Asaka you see when you peek into the mountain spring." Genji is genuine about his intentions and emotions however, I think they are driven wrongly. He technically molds her into filling a void for him. “She may be a little girl, he thought, but I can’t wait to see her after she’s been properly trained.” Genji gets really desperate and inpatient after her grandmother (nun) had passed away, so he took it upon himself to in a way kidnap her.. I put this under relationship because I don't think it starts off a good relationship, however going into chapter 7 it is seen that Murasaki starts to adjust to Genji and have love towards him.

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“Genji came to feel that his young Murasaki was a rare hidden treasure, his precious plaything.” (Shikibu5)

In this section of the text, Genji has taken Murasaki hostage and started to raise her. He believed that he was entitled to decide Murasaki's fate. The way that Genji treats Murasaki is truly strange. He acts as if he has the authority to own her and run her life because he is probably powerful as the Emperor's son. Genji's actions even reveal the authority that men can have over women just by virtue of their gender.

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"She was possessed of both a noble lineage and extraordinary beauty, but she also had an obedient temperament and was not impudent or forward. He wanted to get close to her, raise and train her in accordance with his own desires and tastes, and then make her his wife." (Shikibu chapter V)

Gender Roles

This part of the passage explores Gender roles based on how women's importance is presented based on their lineage/social status and beauty. Her "obedient temperament" reflects what was considered the ideal femininity for the period. This is further enforced by how Genji wants to take in the girl to "train her", showing a sort of authority he as a man has on the little girl and her autonomy.

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"If a woman has a calculating heart and a troublesome disposition that makes an issue of everything, then a man has to take care that he not allow her emotions to lead her astray and keep her from fulfilling his desires." (Page: B-281)

This part of the passage mainly represents the gender roles in this time. Saying that a man has to keep the women in check and not let her do what she wants. Not have her start making rash decisions because of other women or her looks.

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Relationship

"Her Highness was in a state of constant distraction, for she was all too aware that her unimaginable affair with Genji was genuinely shocking. She was determined to put an end to their relationship, since she found the prospect of continuing to meet him extremely unpleasant and depressing, and her appearance betrayed just how difficult it was for her to cope with the situation." (Shikibu P-V)

Her highness is struggling with her emotions and the situation she finds herself in. She knows her relationship with Genji is scandalous and wrong, which makes her want to end it. It's hard for her to end things with Genji but she is determined to break things off. Her feelings are so strong that they affect how she looks and behave. This shows just how much the relationship is weighing on her. The passage highlights how complicated and painful relationships can be, especially when they bring more harm than happiness.