DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (answer these questions, typed, single-spaced, to turn in on the day of class discussion):

For class discussion week 2a:

1) Referring to Murasaki Shikibu's Diary and the "The Broom Tree" chapter 2 make a list of qualities that seem to be seen as generally good or bad in women (give page #s and examples to support your points). Are there differences between the Murasaki Shikibu's Diary and Tale of Genji? Why do you think they are different?

2) According the men in "The Broom Tree" chapter, what qualities are important in a "good" wife? How does social status seem to affect their judgments?  How is a woman supposed to show her feelings?

3) How does the author of Kagero Diary (Michitsune's mother, wife of Fujiwara Kaneie) measure up to these (male) standards? How is she a good wife? In what ways is she a bad wife?

4) We'll be discussing education more thoroughly week 3a, but briefly, what kind of education is considered appropriate for a woman? What is considered not appropriate? Note that Murasaki Shikibu in her Diary may present a different view than the male characters in "The Broom Tree" chapter!