The Tale Of Genji

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. How would you define the novel as a form of literature? How and when did the novel develop its characteristic attributes?

Teaching Suggestion: Some literary scholars consider the novel to be an exclusively European form that arose in the 17th century, while others point to novel-like writings in other cultures and in earlier time periods as the “beginnings” of the novel form. The Tale of Genji is one of the texts that the latter accepts as an early novel. Students are likely to have their own ideas about novels; they may enjoy debating this term before accessing the suggested resources below and attempting a more refined answer.

• This 5-minute video by Dr. Andrew Moore introduces the novel as a form.
• This article from TCK Publishing offers a succinct but comprehensive history of the development of the novel.

2. The Heian period in Japanese history took place from 794 AD to 1185 AD. Based on what you know of Japanese and world history, what might be true about court life during this era?

Teaching Suggestion: Students encountering Genji in a course focused on Japanese culture or history may already have some understanding about court life in Heian Japan. Students reading Genji in a literature course, because of the text’s relationship to the history of the novel, are less likely to have clear ideas about the Heian period and Japanese court life. To enhance understanding of the topic, these students might appreciate the opportunity to conduct independent research prior to answering the prompt using the links below or similar resources.

• This article offers a detailed look at the cultural background against which Murasaki wrote Genji.
• This 18-minute podcast from Her Half of History examines both Genji’s claim on “first novel” status and offers insights into Murasaki’s life in Heian Japan.
• This article from the Association for Asian Studies offers an in-depth look at how Genji reflects the culture of Heian Japan. (Due to spoilers, this is included as a teacher-facing resource.)

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

What does “beauty” mean to you? What do you associate with the term? Do you think society’s response to beauty is innate or culturally constructed? Why? Does beauty have a moral dimension, or is it purely an aesthetic judgment?

Teaching Suggestion: As expected in an artifact of Heian Japan, Genji is preoccupied with the concept of beauty. This prompt offers students the opportunity to air their own ideas on the subject, with the intention of increasing their engagement with the novel’s theme of Physical Beauty and Substance of Character. After students have had time to think or write about their ideas regarding beauty, they may enjoy discussing their responses and hearing a variety of perspectives. It may also help to discuss the concept of beauty as something that changes and evolves over time, both on an individual and societal level.