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The Tale of Genji | Essays and Criticism

• Appeal in Murasaki Shikibu's Thousand-Year-Old Novel

  In the following essay, Evans examines the reasons why Murasaki Shikibu's thousand-year-old novel remains so accessible and appealing.

• The Tale of Murasaki Shikibu

  In this essay, the author illustrates how The Tale of Genji was the birth of the modern novel.

• Yugao: A Case of Spirit Possession in The Tale of Genji

  In the following excerpt, Bargen considers the social implications of the episodes of spirit possession in The Tale of Genji, suggesting that "they can be viewed as a female protest against the polygymy of Heian Society."

• Religious Threads and Themes in The Tale of Genji

  In this excerpt, Mary Dejong Obuchowski explores the influence of Japanese religious eclecticism on The Tale of Genji.

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1. The Tale of Genji: Introduction
2. The Tale of Genji: Summary
   1. Chapters 1-41 Summary
   2. Chapters 42-54 Summary
3. The Tale of Genji: Lady Murasaki Shikibu Biography
4. The Tale of Genji: Characters
5. The Tale of Genji: Themes
6. The Tale of Genji: Style
7. The Tale of Genji: Historical Context
8. The Tale of Genji: Critical Overview
9. The Tale of Genji: Essays and Criticism
   1. Appeal in Murasaki Shikibu's Thousand-Year-Old Novel
   2. The Tale of Murasaki Shikibu
   3. Yugao: A Case of Spirit Possession in The Tale of Genji
   4. Religious Threads and Themes in The Tale of Genji
10. The Tale of Genji: Compare and Contrast
11. The Tale of Genji: Topics for Further Study
12. The Tale of Genji: Media Adaptations
13. The Tale of Genji: What Do I Read Next?
14. The Tale of Genji: Bibliography and Further Reading
15. The Tale of Genji: Pictures
16. Copyright

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