ENGLISH 11

Quarter 2 Weeks 3-4

21st Century Literature from the Philippines and The World

Second Quarter Most Essential Learning Competencies:

A. Produce an adaptation of the text into other forms using multi-media and ICT (EN12Lit-IIIj-
31.1 11.2).
B. Choose an appropriate multi-media form in interpreting a literary text (EN12Lit-IIIj-31.1 11.2).
C. Apply ICT skills in crafting an adaptation of the reading material (EN12Lit-IIij-31.2 11.3

This module is designed to help you understand and appreciate literary texts in various
genres across national literature and cultures. It presents a selection from Japan which depicts
their court life and the experiences of the people as reflected in the story. It will enlighten your
thoughts about the many life experiences of the main character and will allow you as readers to
learn from the text and explore the theme presented in each chapter.
As you go along with your journey in this lesson, you are expected to perform the
following tasks:
1. a written close analysis and critical interpretation of a literary text in terms of form and
theme, with a description of its context derived from research;
2. critical paper that analyzes literary texts in relation to the context of the reader and the
writer or a critical paper that interprets literary texts using any of the critical approaches;
and;
3. an adaptation of a text into other creative forms using multimedia.

Before you begin reading, let us identify first how much do you know about the Japanese
people by answering the Pre-test.
Enjoy reading!

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Lesson 1: The Tale of Genji (A Japanese Literature)

This unit specifically introduces one of the Asian Literatures from Japan. It will bring you to
appreciate their culture through their famous literary writings; one of which is the novel, “The
Tale of Genji” which is set to portray the Heian Court culture during the early mid-tenth century.
As you go along the activities you will find tasks which will allow you to develop your
creativity in drafting a cover design to present your understanding of the reading text. Your
illustration of a cover design will be crafted with the use of any platform or digital technology of
your own choice.

After going through this module, you are expected to do the following tasks:
a. relate meaningful events in the story to gain full understanding of its theme;
b. use a multi-media form in interpreting a literary text by making a cover design for the
story;
c. cite a real-life situation that depicts the message of the story.

Directions. Tell what you know about the Japanese literature, culture, and society. Choose the
letter of your choice to match with the given items in the pool of words below. Write your
answer on the space provided before each number.

A. Haiku D. Tokyo G. Yen I. Prime Minister

B. The Tale of Genji E. rice H. Shinto and Buddhism J. Hinomaru
C. Samurai F. Miso soup

_____ 1. national flag _____ 6. military nobility

_____ 2.short poem about nature _____ 7. capital of Japan

_____ 3. short diary _____ 8. currency

_____ 4. popular dish _____ 9. religion

_____ 5. head of the government _____ 10. staple food

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 Japan is one of the Asian countries which promotes their traditions and expresses
gratitude on nature. It was only during the 1900’s when the Japanese literature was known
outside of Japan. In Japanese literature, the main type of story writing is fictitious. The Tale of
Genji is a well-known tale considered to be a representation of the court life of the Japanese
people.
You may now start reading the overview of the text.

The tale of Genji was written by Lady Murasaki who was an avid writer of poetry. The
story centers on the life and love of a handsome son, Hikaru Genji, or “Shining Genji”. Emperor
Kiritsubo’s beloved yet low-ranking concubine called Kiritsubo Consort died soon after she gave
birth to Genji. They gave the name, “Genji” which is a name to refer to a boy in Japan to mean
“Two Beginnings”.
The work recounts the life of Hikaru Genji. It concentrates on Genji's romantic life. It
was an important book at that time because it was the first novel ever written and was popular
among the Heian court. In the later chapters the court life and aristocracy in painstaking details
was described. It remains important today because it is a psychological novel that takes a look
into what court life was like during the Heian period.
Although Genji is a fictional character with a similar story in the imperial court, one
Minamoto no Takaakira, the tenth son of Emperor Daigo, and who would have been known both
to Murasaki and her readers.

Activity 1. Getting the theme

The Tale of Genji concerns love, lust, and the interaction of members of the opposing
sexes; it also explores the different themes of affection, friendship, filial loyalty, and family
bonds.

Re-read the story and the synopsis of the given chapters to discover its theme.

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Chapter 1: The Paulownia Court

The emperor's favorite lady, Kiritsubo, has no strong family backing at court and suffers
greatly from the insults of jealous competitors. She bears the emperor a beautiful son, which
makes matters worst as he may one day be a rival to the future crown prince, the emperor's eldest
son. Kiritsubo falls ill and dies, so the child is taken in by his grandmother. The emperor is
distraught and asks for the boy to be sent back. Eventually he returns to the palace and the
grandmother dies shortly afterwards. Korean ambassadors arrive in the capital and predict a
brilliant future for the six-year-old.
Although of royal blood, the boy has no maternal relatives to support him as a prince at
court and is instead made a member of the non-royal Genji clan, henceforth being known as
"Genji." The emperor's eldest son by Lady Kokiden is made crown prince and the emperor
subsequently finds a new concubine, Fujitsubo, who resembles Kiritsubo but has better family
connections. By the end of the chapter, Genji is married off to the daughter of the Minister of the
Left, Princess Aoi.

Chapter 2: The Broom Tree

Genji and his brother-in-law To-no-Chujo meet at Genji's palace and compare notes
about women. They are joined by a guard officer and other friends. The guardsman casually
suggests that there may be a beautiful unknown woman hidden away somewhere because her
family has fallen upon hard times. Genji then falls asleep as his companions discuss several types
of women, all of whom he will meet later in the Tale. After Genji wakes, Chujo tells the story of
a lover - who is later revealed to be Yugao - who bore his daughter but was discarded because of
her meek and forgiving nature. Shikibu, a young man from the Ministry of Rites, tells the
gathering of a lady who was too scholarly, preferring the rather masculine Chinese language to
Japanese, and whose breath on one occasion had smelled of garlic. The friends decide that the
perfect woman should be loyal and cultured, but passive and willing to feign ignorance when the
situation requires.

The scene then shifts to Sanjo, where Genji is visiting his wife Aoi, but he finds her
distant and cold. Since his home lies in an unlucky direction, Genji is invited to Kii-no-kami's
house. Kii-no-kami's father has married a young lady, and Genji overhears her apparently
discussing himself. Genji also meets an attractive young boy, her brother, and Kii-no-kami's
stepuncle. When everyone is asleep, Genji breaks into the lady's apartment and carries her off to
his room. Leaving the next day, Genji employs the boy as a page and has him deliver messages
to his sister, but the lady discourages any further relationship. Genji manages to visit her once
more but is rebuffed, leaving him to write a poem about the inhospitable broom tree and sleep
with her young brother instead.

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Chapter 3: The Shell of the Locust

Hurt by the rejection, Genji is unwilling to give up his pursuit of Utsusemi ("the lady of
the locust shell"). Her young brother sympathizes and resolves to help him try again. Wearing
plain clothes, Genji sneaks into her rooms and spies her playing Go with a lively companion,
Nokiba-no-ogi. After the game, Genji prepares to surprise Utsusemi but she catches the
distinctive scent of his robes and flees, leaving one of her own outer robes behind. Genji
mistakenly breaks in on her companion and is forced to improvise. He then returns home sulking
and pens a poem comparing Utsusemi's robe to a cast-off cicada shell.

Chapter 4: Evening Faces

On his way to visit Lady Rokujo, Genji learns that his old nursemaid, who has since
become a Buddhist nun, is sick and may be near death, so he goes to visit her with her natural
son, Koremitsu. At a nearby house, they are admiring the beautiful flowers
called yugao ("evening faces"), when a little girl comes out with a scented white fan for Genji to
take a flower on.
They then go in to visit the nun, and she shows an even greater attachment to Genji than
to her own son. On his way out, Genji's curiosity is aroused by whoever might be in the house of
yugao, so he sends Koremitsu to investigate, who reports back that To-no-Chujo had been there
and that a lady evidently resided within. Genji cannot resist, so he disguises himself and arranges

Yugao is a very frail, submissive beauty, and Genji is reminded of To-no-Chujo's rainy
night story. Unlike To-no-Chujo, however, Genji is attracted by this gentility, and resolves to
take her away. Unable to resist, and very frightened, Yugao is rushed off with Ukon to a deserted
mansion. That night, Genji dreams of a jealous lady resembling Lady Rokujo, and when he
wakes, he sees an apparition by Yugao's pillow. He tries to wake her, but she is no longer
breathing. Genji panics, wakes Ukon and Koremitsu, but it is too late, she is dead. Koremitsu
sends Genji back to his palace at Nijo and takes her body to a nunnery in the eastern hills for
funeral rites.
At Nijo, Genji is unsettled by recent events and cannot appear at court. He sets out on
horseback with Koremitsu to see Yugao's body, but on the return journey he feels ill and falls off
his horse. The illness lasts for quite some time, and when he recovers, he confirms with Ukon
that Yugao was in fact To-no-Chujo's mistress. Genji retains Ukon and asks her to find Yugao's
daughter, intending to raise her himself. The chapter end with a final poetic exchange with
Utsusemi, whom Genji also loses.

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Chapter 5: Waka Murasaki

Genji is sick and decides to seek help from a holy man living in a cave in the northern
hills. He goes there and receives treatment from the recluse. While recovering, his attendants tell
him the story of a Governor of Akashi who became a lay priest and retired there with his
daughter, for whom he had great expectations.

During his convalesence in the hills, Genji wanders to a nearby house and catches a
glimse of a beautiful 10-year-old girl, who reminds him of Fujitsubo, the favourite concubine of
his father, the emperor. The priest at the villa invites Genji to visit, during the course of which he
discovers that the child Murasaki is in fact Fujitsubo's niece. Genji - already smitten with
Fujitsubo - seeks to adopt the child but is not taken seriously.

When fully recovered from his illness, Genji asks again about adopting Murasaki, but is
again refused. To-no-Chujo and some friends from court arrive to escort him back. Back at court,
Genji's father-in-law arrives and takes him to meet Aoi, who turns out to be cold and
unreceptive. Genji sleeps and dreams of the little girl. The next day he renews his request to
adopt Murasaki, this time by letter, but without success.

Fujitsubo leaves court due to an illness and, through her maid Omyobu, Genji arranges a
secret visit and stays the night. Fujitsubo becomes pregnant, but the emperor is unaware of
Genji's role in this. Meanwhile, the little girl is made available for adoption because her
grandmother, the nun, has died. However, Murasaki's father, Prince Hyobu, decides to take
charge of her and Genji is forced to kidnap her before he does so. Back at his Nijo palace, Genji
begins her education.

http://www.taleofgenji.org/summary.html

Activity 2. KWL-Chart

Genji has been portrayed by Murasaki as an ideal young man. Do you still find
these qualities with our men of today? Give the qualities you like on men.

Fill-in the table with at least 5 sentences about the information you gained from the
reading text. In the 1st box, describe Genji, in the 2nd box, provide what you know about men of
this time and for the 3rd box, write the qualities you like on men.

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 What Do I Know? What Do I Find Out? What Do I Learn?

Qualities of Genji Qualities of Men What I Admire with

Today Men?

_______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________
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_______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________
___________ _

Activity 3. Making Cover Design

Pick one setting or best part of the story. Make a cover design using Fb, messenger,
Kotobee or any digital online learning platform or you may just illustrate/draw to relate that part
of the story. Present your design to your teacher and classmates by giving a short description
about the theme that you used in your illustration.

Look at the given sample here for a cover design:

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Source: http://www.taleofgenji.org/summary.html

Your work will be graded based on the following criteria:

Rubrics for Cover Design Presentation of the Story

Understanding of Content
 Does your cover design show the purpose of the
writer in the text? 20%
 How useful is it in easily understanding the
relevance of the story chapter?
Understanding of Theme
 Does it portray the message or the central idea of 20%
the read material?
Originality and Creativity of the Design
 Is your illustration based on your own
20%
imagination?
 Does it show creativity and originality?
Cover Presentation 40%
 Does it apply balanced use of colors and medium?
 Is it attractive and artistic?
Total 100%

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 Japanese literature Genji is more of a story about Japan itself, the rejected son of a royal
king who begins a new dominion in the mountains. It is the epic story of feudal japan, the
vices and virtues of passionate, larger-than-life characters, so essentially, it is an epic myth of
sorts.
In Japan, the idea of family honor is much more serious than the words sound to an
American, for instance. Their idea is much more spiritual, as if ancestors are alive in heaven,
watching the earth to see how their legacy is honored by their sons and daughters. You can
see this basic idea expressing itself in the plot of the story because the back half of the novel
is something of that effect: Genji as an overlord and guide for his wandering descendants in
their pursuit of greatness. Therefore, a story about grandfathers and great-grandfathers is
much like a Western myth about the gods. The story is highly archetypal, therefore
interpreting its meaning would be like interpreting life itself.

Cloze Exercise. Provide for the missing details to complete the story.

The Tale of Genji is a (1) __________ literature. It centers on the life and love of a

handsome son, (2) __________, born to an Emperor during the (3) __________ Period. The

meaning of the name Genji is a (4) __________ name, which means (5) “___________”.

The tale concentrates on Genji's (6) __________ life and describes the customs of the

__________ society of the time. In the story, the beloved (7) __________ of the Emperor gives

birth to Genji and dies soon after. The meaning of the name Genji is: (8) __________ The Tale

of Genji was an important book at the time because it was the first novel ever written and was

popular among the (9) __________court. However, it remains important today because it is a

psychological novel that looks into what court life was like during the period. It is so significant

is because the later chapters depict (10) __________ and aristocracy in painstaking detail.

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Directions. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence. Encircle only the letter of your
answer.
1. The Tale of Genji is a ____________.

A. novel C. essay
B. short story D. poem
2. The Tale of Genji depicts the life in ____________.

A. court C. market
B. school D. church
3. It was written during the ____________.

A. Elizabethan period C. Elizabethan period

B. Heian period D. Marxism period
4. The story deals with subject on __________.

A. romance C. war
B. tragedy D. humor
5. The Tale of Genji is a ____________.

A. Philippine literature C. Chinese literature

B. Korean literature D. Japanese literature
6. The Tale of Genji concerns all these different themes except ____________.

A. hatred and fear C. affection and interaction to opposing sexes

B. friendship and filial loyalty D. family bonds and family honor
7. The name Genji means __________.

A. Three Beginnings C. Four beginnings

B. Two beginnings D. Five beginnings
8. Genji is a name for __________.

A. a woman C. a girl
B. a man D. a boy
9. Family honor is much more serious in __________.

A. America C. Philippines
B. Japan D. China
10. The tale of Genji is a/an __________.

A. epic C. ballad
B. legend D. verse

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Directions: After reading the text, you have already pictured the situation in the Japanese court
as presented in the story. In general, courting in the Heian period took place freely among men
and women of equal rank. Therefore, you may now write at least a 500-word essay to relate your
opinion on the problems and issues of courting and relationships among the aristocratic society.
Tell how a person must act to maintain his/her status in the government position.

Use these guidelines in writing your essay:

Percentage Rating Teachers’ Feedback

Understanding of the
content material
 purpose,
relevance, and
25%
imparted
knowledge
shared
Organization of
Thoughts
 accuracy, unity,
30%
and consistency
of ideas
Correct use of
mechanics in writing
 punctuation,
spelling, 25%
grammar
structure
Application of theme
 message and
main idea 20%

Total 100%

Module Writer:
Bernadette F. Fernan

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 ANSWER SHEET

Name of Student: __________________________________ Grade & Section: _____________

PRE-TEST:
Directions. Tell what you know about the Japanese literature, culture, and society. Choose the letter of
your choice to match with the given items in the pool of words below. Write your answer on the space
provided before each number.

________ 1. ________ 6.
________ 2. ________ 7.
________ 3. ________ 8.
________ 4. ________ 9.
________ 5. ________ 10.

ACTIVITY 1: Getting the Theme

1. Chapter 1: _____________________________________________________________
2. Chapter 2: _____________________________________________________________
3. Chapter 3: _____________________________________________________________
4. Chapter 4: _____________________________________________________________
5. Chapter 5: _____________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY 2: KWL

What Do I Know? What Do I Find Out? What Do I Learn?

Qualities of Genji Qualities of Men What I Admire with
Today Men?

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ACTIVITY 3: Making Cover Design
Pick one setting or best part of the story. Make a cover design using FB, Messenger, Kotobee or
any digital online learning platform or you may just illustrate/draw to relate that part of the story. Present
your design to your teacher and classmates by giving a short description about the theme that you used in
your illustration.

Cloze Exercise. Provide for the missing details to complete the story.

1. _____________________ 6. ______________________

2. _____________________ 7. ______________________

3. _____________________ 8. ______________________

4. _____________________ 9. ______________________

5. _____________________ 10. _____________________

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POST TEST:
Directions. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence. Write only the letter of your answer.

1. ________ 6. ________

2. ________ 7. ________

3. ________ 8. ________

4. ________ 9. ________

5. ________ 10. _______

REFLECTION:
Directions: Write at least a 500-word essay to relate your opinion on the problems and issues of courting
and relationships among the aristocratic society. Tell how a person must act to maintain his/her status in
the government position. (You may use another sheet of paper if necessary).
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