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Akikonomu
Aoi is Genji's wife and the only daughter of the Minister of the Left. She's several years older than Genji, which is one of the main reasons that the two never really get along. Genji doesn't help matters by never visiting, while Aoi is rude, dismissive, and disrespectful of Genji's time. Genji also notes that he sees Aoi as eternally older and more mature and refined than he is; in short, she's able to make him feel like a child because she's so haughty towards him. She also resents him for keeping so many other lovers, especially Murasaki. Aoi becomes pregnant after several years, though her pregnancy is unhappy and difficult: many believe that she's also possessed by malign spirits during her pregnancy. Later, the reader learns that the “malign spirit” is actually that of the Rokujō Lady, who is jealous that Genji is spending more time with his wife than with her. Just before Aoi gives birth, the Rokujō lady actually speaks to Genji through Aoi's body. Days after Aoi has Yugiri, she dies suddenly.
Aoi Quotes in The Tale of Genji
The The Tale of Genji quotes below are all either spoken by Aoi or refer to Aoi. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Evening Faces
Quotes
The weak ones do have a power over us. The clear, forceful ones I can do without. I am weak and indecisive by nature myself, and a woman who is quiet and withdrawn and follows the wishes of a man even to the point of letting herself be used has much the greater appeal. A man can shape and mold her as he wishes, and becomes fonder of her all the while.
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Lavender
Quotes
"It would be nice, I sometimes think, if you could be a little more wifely. I have been very ill, and I am hurt, but not really surprised, that you have not inquired after my health."
"Like the pain, perhaps, of awaiting a visitor who does not come?"
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Heartvine
Quotes
Genji felt like a child thief. The role amused him and the affection he now felt for the girl seemed to reduce his earlier affection to the tiniest mote. A man's heart is a very strange amalgam indeed!
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Aoi Quotes in The Tale of Genji
The The Tale of Genji quotes below are all either spoken by Aoi or refer to Aoi. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Evening Faces
Quotes
The weak ones do have a power over us. The clear, forceful ones I can do without. I am weak and indecisive by nature myself, and a woman who is quiet and withdrawn and follows the wishes of a man even to the point of letting herself be used has much the greater appeal. A man can shape and mold her as he wishes, and becomes fonder of her all the while.
Related Characters:
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Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Lavender
Quotes
"It would be nice, I sometimes think, if you could be a little more wifely. I have been very ill, and I am hurt, but not really surprised, that you have not inquired after my health."
"Like the pain, perhaps, of awaiting a visitor who does not come?"
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Explanation and Analysis:
Heartvine
Quotes
Genji felt like a child thief. The role amused him and the affection he now felt for the girl seemed to reduce his earlier affection to the tiniest mote. A man's heart is a very strange amalgam indeed!
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