Date of Project
4-27-2018
Document Type
Honors Thesis
School Name
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
English
Major Advisor
Dr. Jon Blandford
Second Advisor
Dr. Jennifer Barker
Third Advisor
Dr. Kendra Sheehan
Abstract
This thesis looks at the relationship between gender and the supernatural in Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji. The goal is to show how Lady Rokujo uses spiritual powers to rebel against the sexual hierarchy of Heian Japan while not fully defying its sexism. This is supported by historical background of the Heian period, examples of the mistreatment of women in the novel, and close analysis of instances of Lady Rokujo's supernatural actions. This analysis shows there is a complicated background to the vengeful spirit trope that still haunts the global imagination.
Recommended Citation
Phelps, Molly, "Gender and Spiritual Possession in The Tale of Genji" (2018). Undergraduate Theses. 28.
https://scholarworks.bellarmine.edu/ugrad_theses/28
Included in
English Language and Literature Commons, Japanese Studies Commons, Women's Studies Commons