Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons^™

Rescue Or Rape, Genji Or Murasaki: The Role Of Gender Relations And The Unsung Heroines Of The Genji Monogatari., Jessie Nutter

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Written early in the 11th century, the Tale of Genji is considered to be the world's first novel. Women's issues and relationships between men and women are central themes in the tale. In fact, in the last couple decades some critics have come to see the women of the Genji Monogatari as the novel's intended focus rather than Genji himself. Through Genji, the reader is able to experience the sad, interconnected fates of a host of women and thereby share in their trials and tribulations.