I haven't read this book and I don't intend to. Yes, you have to see it through a cultural/historical lens but it doesn't make the subject matter palatable. I don't think he is either. All players were part of their times and culture, and their 'lot in life' went unquestioned. I can't read a book like this without my feminist hat planted firmly on my head, but that shows that I am a product of my times and culture!
Yes, that's the endless dilemma when modern readers/viewers approach an old work of art.
It is a historical fact, though, that Murasaki Shikibu's portrayal of women in Heian society reflects the complexities of gender dynamics during that era. As I wrote in another comment, Murasaki's perspective is shaped by her personal experiences, including witnessing her mother's sacrifices and struggles within a patriarchal system. These experiences lead her to question the societal norms of her time, particularly the dynamics between men and women.
I'm with Royall Tyler. We have to remember when this novel was written. I don't think that Murasaki Shikibu had any intentions to write specifically about women suffering, she wrote about what she saw and experienced in her life and times, about what took place in an extremely restricted circle of aristocrats. She wasn't interested at all in women servants, or of humble origins, probably because she knew nothing of their lives and struggles. Most lives were fraught with misery back then, the poor and wretched ones, just to name the usual suspects, women and men alike.
Genji is definitely the hero of his eponymous tale – he's flawed, that much is true, he acts upon his own desires without restraint, but he's generous and kind, most importantly, he neither despises, nor hates women. He appreciates not only their physical beauty, but their intellect and soul. He really "sees" women.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Portia. There is always the risk of filtering past cultures and customs through modern-day opinions and sensibilities.
On the other hand, if it's true, as you say, that Murasaki Shikibu wrote about what she saw and experienced in her life and times, it seems that she saw a lot of women suffering at the hands of men. Which, in some respects, is not much different from what's happening now.
But did she think that women were oppressed by men? Did she think of that treatment as oppression and misogyny, like we understand them today? Or did she attribute the place women occupied in Japanese society, at that specific time, to unavoidable, inescapable laws of nature like death (I wanted to add gravity, but it wasn't still a concept in the 11th century), for instance? We will never know.
Patriarchy is a bitch for men, too. IMO, the real enemy are and have always been privilege and class. Rich, powerful men and women have always trampled upon poor, powerless men and women. Underprivileged women might have had the worst deal of them all, but I'd rather be a gentlewoman like Murasaki Shikibu, than her coeval male peasants or servants.
You have a point about women often seeing their place in society as unavoidable, and even actively helping keep the status quo. For example, I've never understood why women in some parts of Africa are still willing to practice genital mutilation.
But back to Murasaki, last year I interviewed the producer and scriptwriter of the TV drama devoted to her. NHK's productions are based on solid historical research.
In that interview, they said that the portrayal of women in Heian society reflects the complexities of gender dynamics during that era. Murasaki's perspective is shaped by her personal experiences, including witnessing her mother's sacrifices and struggles within a patriarchal system. These experiences lead her to question the societal norms of her time, particularly the dynamics between men and women.
The drama suggests that Murasaki was acutely aware of the limitations placed on women, but it also highlights her resilience and independence as she navigates the courtly world.
This said, her observations of Heian society, as depicted in the drama, resonate with themes of subtle critique rather than outright condemnation of male dominance.
Shining prince is the only acceptable answer.
Thanks for your comment, I'm sure other people agree with you.
Lol I’m sure as well.
I haven't read this book and I don't intend to. Yes, you have to see it through a cultural/historical lens but it doesn't make the subject matter palatable. I don't think he is either. All players were part of their times and culture, and their 'lot in life' went unquestioned. I can't read a book like this without my feminist hat planted firmly on my head, but that shows that I am a product of my times and culture!
Yes, that's the endless dilemma when modern readers/viewers approach an old work of art.
It is a historical fact, though, that Murasaki Shikibu's portrayal of women in Heian society reflects the complexities of gender dynamics during that era. As I wrote in another comment, Murasaki's perspective is shaped by her personal experiences, including witnessing her mother's sacrifices and struggles within a patriarchal system. These experiences lead her to question the societal norms of her time, particularly the dynamics between men and women.
I'm with Royall Tyler. We have to remember when this novel was written. I don't think that Murasaki Shikibu had any intentions to write specifically about women suffering, she wrote about what she saw and experienced in her life and times, about what took place in an extremely restricted circle of aristocrats. She wasn't interested at all in women servants, or of humble origins, probably because she knew nothing of their lives and struggles. Most lives were fraught with misery back then, the poor and wretched ones, just to name the usual suspects, women and men alike.
Genji is definitely the hero of his eponymous tale – he's flawed, that much is true, he acts upon his own desires without restraint, but he's generous and kind, most importantly, he neither despises, nor hates women. He appreciates not only their physical beauty, but their intellect and soul. He really "sees" women.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Portia. There is always the risk of filtering past cultures and customs through modern-day opinions and sensibilities.
On the other hand, if it's true, as you say, that Murasaki Shikibu wrote about what she saw and experienced in her life and times, it seems that she saw a lot of women suffering at the hands of men. Which, in some respects, is not much different from what's happening now.
But did she think that women were oppressed by men? Did she think of that treatment as oppression and misogyny, like we understand them today? Or did she attribute the place women occupied in Japanese society, at that specific time, to unavoidable, inescapable laws of nature like death (I wanted to add gravity, but it wasn't still a concept in the 11th century), for instance? We will never know.
Patriarchy is a bitch for men, too. IMO, the real enemy are and have always been privilege and class. Rich, powerful men and women have always trampled upon poor, powerless men and women. Underprivileged women might have had the worst deal of them all, but I'd rather be a gentlewoman like Murasaki Shikibu, than her coeval male peasants or servants.
You have a point about women often seeing their place in society as unavoidable, and even actively helping keep the status quo. For example, I've never understood why women in some parts of Africa are still willing to practice genital mutilation.
But back to Murasaki, last year I interviewed the producer and scriptwriter of the TV drama devoted to her. NHK's productions are based on solid historical research.
In that interview, they said that the portrayal of women in Heian society reflects the complexities of gender dynamics during that era. Murasaki's perspective is shaped by her personal experiences, including witnessing her mother's sacrifices and struggles within a patriarchal system. These experiences lead her to question the societal norms of her time, particularly the dynamics between men and women.
The drama suggests that Murasaki was acutely aware of the limitations placed on women, but it also highlights her resilience and independence as she navigates the courtly world.
This said, her observations of Heian society, as depicted in the drama, resonate with themes of subtle critique rather than outright condemnation of male dominance.