The Dairy Of Lady Murasaki Essays - The Tale Of Genji, Fujiwara Clan

The Dairy of Lady Murasaki Early in history, the male gender has been the dominant force. The male aristocracies has been responsible for producing the writing, arts, and architecture, "which is traditionally consider to be humanity's historical legacy." However, the "silence voice" will not remain silent, because historians have sought them out. Due to the fact, historians have sought the "silence voice" we have been able to learn more about women history. One way they made it possible for us to learn about it is by writing books such as The Dairy of Lady Murasaki. The Dairy of Lady Murasaki is a paramount historical document that marks one of the major turning points in women's history. The book has great insights into the 11th century of women experiences at the court of the Japanese emperor. This is significant because during the height of the Heian Period (794-1192), which Lady Murasaki lived, Japanese had no writing system of their own. Also, it was considered improper for a woman to know how to write Chinese, the writing system Japanese used then. Men were not happy. They wanted to "keep the language of bureaucracy in male's hands." This however, did not stop the women of Japan from striving for success. Women went on and developed the written Japanese language. This was the first attempt woman made in Japanese history, and in their quest to become the "sound voices" instead of the "silence voice." One can compare these women to the famous black man Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass had to struggle to learn to read because his slave master did not want him to. Nevertheless, we saw that the more they tried to prevent him from learning, the more he strove for success, just as these women. The Japanese Women did not stop after the development of the written Japanese language. They went on to write poems, prose, and dairies, thus proving to the males that they are capable of writing; also that no one could hold them back from reaching success. Lady Murasaki was one of these women that strove for success. She was the Empress companion and tutor. She had knowledge and court values that she inherited from her father. Due to this she was able to handle her position very well. Though she held her position well, as a consequence of her gender her experience of the court life was different from those of males. She couldn't discuss what she knew about what was going on in the court because of fear of being known as a gossip. We see this when she states, "now if I go and describing for you in this manner, I am sure I will get the reputation for being a gossip, especially if it concerns those close to me. It is so difficult to discuss people I meet every day and I should avoid commenting on anyone about whom I have second thoughts." One can say she feels this way because women were mainly known for gossiping and nothing else in those days. She wanted to know for more then just that. That's why even though Lady Murasaki knew what alm ost everything that was taking place in the court, she kept it between her and her dairy. As one sees, religion is not something that Lady Murasaki paid much attention to. She did not see Shinto and Buddhism as "being traditions in any way commensurate." Her reason for that was Buddhism entered the Japanese court system the merging Indian and Chinese religion was considered unoriginal. There are however many types of Buddhism and ritual side we see in her dairy. "Murasaki herself must have been well aware that Buddhist rituals she saw at court and the path of salvation through the worship of Amida were a root connected." Amidism has "provided the major source of personal solace for these women." Shinto was not an actual system in any sense. It was rather the practice of certain rituals connected with fertility, avoidance of pollution, and pacification of the spirits of myriad gods. Therefore, it was not linked to matters of private concerns. In essence, I accept that such a thing, as "fundamentally gendered experience of history" exists. After reading the diary,

Wuthering Heights and Hindleys Essay Example

Wuthering Heights and Hindleys Essay Example Wuthering Heights and Hindleys Essay Wuthering Heights and Hindleys Essay Essay Topic: Wuthering Heights Heathcliffs desire to fulfill his wicked needs of revenge due to his mistreatment at a young age reveals a change of character. Following the humiliation Heathcliff is forced to encounter due to Hindleys cruel actions, his only solution is to take revenge on Hindley for his abuse: I only wish I knew the best way! Let me alone, and Ill plan it out: while Im thinking of that, I dont feel pain' (Bronte 69). Heathcliff reaches a point where he can no longer handle the abuse of others. He instead, reveals to Nelly and the reader the bitter feelings that resign inside of him. He is ready for revenge. This event illustrates the character change Heathcliff encounters. Previously being the boy dismissing bullying from others, he turns into the most desperate person for revenge. Slowly isolating himself from the rest of the people, Heathcliff eventually takes the extreme path, and leaves Wuthering Heights. Shortly following his return form his long disappearance, Heathcliff has returned as a well educated and civilized man. Nelly further describes his appearance: He had grown a tall, athletic, well-formed man His countenance was much older in expression, it looked intelligent, A half-civilized ferocity lurked yet in the depressed brows, and eyes full of black fire, but it was subdued (Bronte 109). Upon his return to Wuthering Heights, Heathcliffs appearance is completely changed, but the struggle is figuring out whether his heart is also changed for the better. He seems to appear as an intellectual, rich, and well mannered individual. This behaviour appears rather strange coming from a man whose past is full of hate and injustice. The reader later realizes that behind Heathcliffs new appearance is a dark soul ready to take revenge, slowly and painfully. Furthermore, ones appearances narrate a story, but their hearts is what counts. Finally, Heathcliffs corrupt actions towards his wife and son due to mistreatment during his childhood leading him to revenge, also illustrates an evolution of character. Having been informed of Isabellas love for him, Heathcliff decides to present her with the favour of his consent: Now, as soon as he beheld her, his first precaution was to take a sweeping survey of the house-front There was another rapid glance at the house, and supposing himself unseen, the scoundrel had the impudence to embrace her (Bronte 126). Heathcliffs favour towards Isabella carried a negative intent, in which Catherine and Nelly quickly came to realize. Knowing that turning Isabella into his wife would tear Catherine apart and devastate Edgar, he does so willingly. This is just the beginning of a journey of corruption on behalf of Heathcliff. He goes on to marry Isabella, only to destruct her life with cruelty and hate, as a form of revenge to Edgar. But more is to come. After bringing Linton, his son, into Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff involves him in his revengeful plans: Papa wants us to be married, he continued, after sipping some of the liquid. And he knows your papa wouldnt let us marry now; and hes afraid of my dying, if we wait; so we are to be married in the morning, and you are to stay here all night; and, if you do as he wishes, you shall return home next say, and take me with you' (Bronte 310). Years later, following Isabellas death and his son, Lintons, birth, Heathcliff decides he wants to have Linton living with him in his home, where he belongs. Yet again, Heathcliff only appears to be doing a kind act, but his intentions prove the reader wrong. Forcing his son Linton into marrying Cathy, Catherines daughter, Heathcliff knows that her home, the Grange, will fall into Lintons hands. Lintons death being near due to his illness, predicts the Grange would then be in Heathcliffs possession, making him successful in attaining the fortunes of both his enemies, Hindley and Edgar. In doing so, he corrupts the life of his own son, proving himself to being a heartless and selfish man. Heathcliff in the end takes advantage of his power in order to lead the innocent in to suffering, proving that he had been impacted as a child, having the urge to release his anger on his enemies loved ones. In conclusion, mistreatment during the childhood of an individual, leading them to seek revenge, reveals character development, as shown in the novel, Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte. Through Catherine and Hindleys mistreatment of Heathcliff leading him to revenge in the future demonstrates character development; Heathcliffs desire to fulfill his wicked needs of revenge due to unfortunate events encountered at a young age, also reveals a change of character; lastly, Heathcliffs corruption towards his wife and son due to mistreatment encountered during his childhood leading him to revenge, illustrates an evolution of character. Therefore, one would conclude that this novel is indeed a compound of vulgar depravity and unnatural horrors (Unknown Author), proving that the actions of one individual can shape the actions of another.