Paper on The
Tale of the Heike due TUES. 4/15
This paper is based on the selections from the Tale of Heike. It should be 4-6 pages long and is worth 15%. Your paper needs to articulate a thesis or argument (i.e., take a position on an issue or point, even if not conclusive), and not be merely descriptive. Papers must have a title and use simple citation forms (author/title and page number). You should support your points / claims / conclusions with examples from the story.
1. Compare and/or contrast the culture / society presented in the Tale of Heike with that in the Tale of Genji. For example, you might look at changes (or lack thereof) in gender differentiation. Here you could also draw on the articles about marriage and inheritance [**however, make sure you also use examples from the novel(s)]. You could also examine continuties in elite practices such as focus on clothing.
2. Assess the seemingly contradictory notions in samurai culture of absolute loyalty and defiant betrayal. Provide specific examples from the novel.
3. Discuss the role of religion (Buddhism and/or Shinto) as portrayed in the novel.