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SEMINAR VI |
UKIFUNE
How does Niou finally learn Ukifune's whereabouts, and who guides him there?
How does Niou gain his first glimpse of Ukifune?
How does Niou gain entry to Ukifune's bedroom?
How is the Ukifune's maid Ukon portrayed? Does she have a narrative voice?
What does Niou do on his return to the Nijoin in Kyoto?
Niou pays another visit on Ukifune, but in what sort of space does the encounter occur?
What occurs when the attentions of Niou and Kaoru occur simultaneously on Ukifune?
What is the point of Ukifune's mother talking to the nun Ben?
When Kaoru learns of Niou's secret attentions on Ukifune, what does he do? Why?
Why does the maid Jiju encourageNiou to persist with Ukifune?
What is the meaning of the surveillance Kaoru orders for Ukifune?
How does Ukifune dispose of Niou's letters?
Why is Niou unable to see Ukifune when he goes to Uji?
Ukifune muses to herself on both Kaoru and Niou. What is she attempting to do?
How does Ukifune end her relationship with both Niou and Kaoru?
KAGERO
Why is a mock funeral staged?
From whom do Niou and Kaoru hear of Ukifune's death?
What does Kaoru promise Ukifune's mother he will do?
How do Kaoru and Niou react to Ukifune's death when they meet and talk of it?
In the chapter Sakaki there is a ceremony of eight Buddhist lectures and observances initiated by Fujitsubo. What is this, and how does it relate to a similar ceremony being performed by the Akashi Empress in this chapter?
On what occasion does Kaoru first see the First Princess? What is she doing, and how is she dressed?
What is the significance of the title 'Drake Fly'?
TENARAI
Who is the lady dressed in white damask the Bishop finds in the abandoned palace of the Suzaku Emperor?
What is her condition? How do the nun and the Bishop attempt to save her life?
An avenging spirit appears from Ukifune's body? Who is it? Male or female?
Why does Ukifune want to take religious orders? How does this happen?
The old nun finds a poem Ukifune has penned about two cedars. What does this refer to. The above poem relates to one in the Tamakazura chapter in which the river referred to is the Hatsuse, of the Hatsuse women's temple. How does that relate to Ukifune's poem here?
There are many poems before Ukifune finally takes her orders. How do the poems composed after compare?
Ukifune, as a nun, likens herself still in the world to a decaying stump. What does she mean? There is a clue in the Hashihime chapter in which the same image is used.
More secrets are revealed at the end of the chapter. What are they?
YUME NO UKIHASHI
How does the Bishop of Yokawa respond to Kaoru's enqueries about Ukifune?
Fireflies alone remind Ukifune of the world. Why? What do they mean? Where else in the tale have they occured? Hint: See the chapter entitled Hotaru.
Why is the boy so anxious to carry the Bishop's note to Ono? What is the relationship of the boy to the Bishop?
Does Ukifune recognize the boy and the message he brings?
Does amnesia amount to self-substitution?
The poem Kaoru writes in his last letter to Ukifune, delivered to her by her brother, relates to the Kiritsubo lady's last poem in the first chapter of the tale, Kiritsubo. How?
Do you think the conviction Ukifune has to live a life of solitude is the right kind of ending to the tale? Has the narration been pointing to such a conclusion?