User:Atcovi/ENG225/Discussion Board Six: Gender, Performance, and Power

This is particularly interesting for the Heian court, a culture obsessed with differentiating men and women in every aspect of society, right down to their writing systems.

So, my first question for exploration is why? Why would Murasaki Shikibu, the author, write a main character subtly shown in this way? Here are two possible interpretations:

Is it because androgyny and sexual fluidity, a larger spectrum of desire, etc. was more prevalent behind closed doors than Heian court culture would have us believe? In our current culture? In many global cultures since the beginning of, well, culture?

Or maybe she writes Genji in this way because she knows there is power in being desired. And the more people desire you, the more power you have. Does Genji get what he wants because he is beautiful? Is he also hated because he is beautiful and desired? My second question, as always, brings it back to you. You have two options: You can take this in whatever direction you like and tell us as much (or as little) as you like. I understand this is a personal topic for many and I don't want you to overextend yourself emotionally. However, if you don't share much here because it makes you uncomfortable, I do encourage you (in private, on your own time) to explore that discomfort within yourself.
 * What do you find desirable and attractive in another human? Why? Is this something you've spent a lot of time with? If not, spend some time thinking about it now. Or maybe you don't feel attraction at all, toward anyone.
 * Do you find yourself "conventionally attractive" in the society and culture you were born into? If yes, do you think this has afforded you privileges? Has it given you power? If not, do you think this has hindered you in seen and unseen ways?

Response

 * 1) What is 100% obvious is the sex segregation that is practiced amongst the Heian people. Women were pretty much closeted from the rest of the world and were confined to the roofs above their heads. Why Shikibu created Genji & painted the story in the way it was? We can never know for sure. It wouldn't be hard to believe sexual fluidity and androgyny was more of a common thing than was painted by Heain court culture. Only recently is common society touching on these certain subjects, which surely would've been taboo back in 11th century Japan. She may be trying to arouse a "shocked" reaction (appealing to shock) from her audience, thus she is appealing to the concept of androgyny and sexual fluidity in her tale. The second issue is also a plausible theory. We still suffer with this phenomenon to this day: Attractiveness in one's appearance plays a significant role in their success in various fields, including vocational (https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9781400839445/html). Shikibu highlights this phenomenon with Genji (maybe with the intention of exposing the cheapness in it), who is sought after by a lot of women and is also given convenient privileges, such as increased power.
 * 2) Being attractive is quite subjective and no one can truly get this sort-of "self-analysize" objectively correct. For me personally, I am seen as "conventionally attractive" back in my home country of Sri Lanka. Although 5'9 is average in the US, its above-average height in Sri Lanka & of course, with my American accent, I always get stares when I'm back in my country and when I speak loudly while I'm walking through the street. I don't recall this giving me more privileges, but rather it may hinder me. Jealously is very much a thing in Sri Lanka, so I try to keep my mouth shut when I'm in a busy street. I remember I was walking back to my house from the mosque and these random kids heard me talking to my brother, so they knew I was a 'foreigner' - so they started following me in the darkness of the night and tried to be friends with me. Eventually, the discussion spiraled into one single question: "where's my gift man?". Of course, I was taken aback by the sudden bruteness of this kid's question - and I didn't give him any sort of gift (or even a goodbye when I left!). Subconsciously, my "attractiveness" can be seen as more of a hinderence rather than a positive thing in Sri Lanka - but since I barely go to Sri Lanka (once every 4 years), I'm not complaining. As for qualities found in other people, I've personally never gave a thought about this since I'm a religious Muslim & don't dwell into the 'dating scene' at all. I'm comfortable in my works in sports (soccer) and my academics. But if I were to name some qualities I would like in a partner, I'd prefer them to be funny, open-minded (yet strong on the truth), and a physically active person. As for the 'one', I will just have to ride this wave of life and figure it out, one moment at a time.