Genji, the son of the emperor and a concubine, is used in this book to represent males and their unchanging harshness toward females. He searches constantly for the "hidden flower" or perfect female, however, he falls short of being the ideal male. He is unworthy to have the perfect female even if he did find her. He shows this through his many unfaithful, immoral affairs with females throughout the book. He is able to get away with just about anything due to his undying charm to both men and women.
He has an unlimited amount of flaws in his character. He is disloyal, indecisive, and selfish. He worries only about himself and his own reputation as a man. He is completely intrigued by game-playing and therefore uses this technique to lure women in to him. Genji executes many corrupt and irrational events throughout the story. He kidnaps a woman and gets angry when she protests being with him. There is a belief that he may have molested a small boy. He is completely unfaithful to his wife with any woman who, even so much as, sparks his interest . He will never settle for what he has and continues to pursue any object that he desires without shame. Genji, growing up, was not surrounded by wonderful role models. He himself was conceived out of wedlock. This upbringing could have contributed to his sinful way of living. .
With the use of Genji's character, Lady Murasaki attempts to convey the message that anyone who is deceitful and charming enough can con just about anyone if they make it a way of life. We, as people, have to learn to be strong and go against things of this nature. Murasaki also is able to portray the life that women had to live in this place and time. She wanted society to see how men really were and the wrongs in their behavior. In my opinion, she did a good job at showing the severity of this situation and made me happy to be living where and when I am.
