The proximate dream, a comparative approach to The tale of Genji and two Western literary counterparts

grantor: University of TorontoThe subject of this comparative study is a trio of novels, ' The Tale of Genji' by Murasaki Shikibu, 'Don Quixote' by Cervantes, and 'The Idiot' by Dostoyevsky. Though they differ widely in cultural/historical background, language, style, and tone, they share numerous thematic preoccupations, structures, and metafictional elements. The heroes of the novels are Messiah-like figures, offering various forms of enlightenment to humankind, including concepts of beauty, of art, of poetry, and the wisdom of irony. All are exiles from an original harmony or innocence, and ceaselessly wander, seeking to restore that ideal state of original harmony. None of the heroes are entirely successful in their idealistic endeavors due to a bifurcation at the heart of their consciousness which they continuously struggle against. While comparing the novels, the author explores the epistemological questions of the relationship between truth/reality and fiction, and world and language.M.A