Belletristic Assignment
Belletristic writings are fine pieces of writings regarded to be beautiful with perfect articulations. In modern society, the type of writing may not be classified under the common categories used today. However, such writings give meaningful information in different fields, for instance in the field of developmental psychology. The discussion therefore focuses on developmental psychology with reference to the chosen belletristic writing. The selected reading material is “The tale of Genji” by Shkibu Murasaki. The material is resourceful since it has various aspects and characteristic nature of dealing and tackling questions relating to the class week topic of developmental psychology.
The tale of Genji is a classical writing that shows the life of a man and his community during the Heian period. The original writing however may not be traced but the current writing was done by Murasaki. The author majors on the life the life of Genji and the various changes he undergoes as he ages till his death. Genji is seen to be having a liking for women, seeing several of his relationships failing and having divorce. He also has various extramarital affairs that sees him to have children illegitimate children forcing them to be secretive of the whole situation. Genji’s mother had passed away while at a tender age prompting his father to remarry, at first he gets along with the stepmother well, but later he engages in a sexual relationship with her without her father knowing. Genji had no favors in the eye of his father who went to the point of demoting him from the crown heir to being a local officer, however, he would later rise to the highest rank when his illegitimate son rises to power. The whole idea about Genji’s life shows a life of disorganization.
Developmental psychology is a discipline that tries to explain issues regarding growth, change and consistency of an individual throughout their lifespan. The discipline also examines how thinking, behavior and feelings of a person changes as they grow through life processes (Burma, 2016). The chosen material generally outlines psychological issues, with Genji being the lead character. Throughout Genji’s growth and development process, he seems to be psychologically unfit or naturally unstable. The unfitness may be blamed to the various life changing events that he experiences in his life from a tender age. Genji lost his mother at a tender age thereby no one being close to him to guide him. His father also demoted him from being the heir to the throne and this also affects him psychologically as he settles for lesser jobs and focuses his energy on other areas to find peace of mind. In addition, Genji is also given a picture of having several failed relationships and marriages. He enters in the world of romance, and this affects his life greatly he gets more consequences out of it such as having an illegitimate with the emperor’s concubines. However, at forty, he is seen to be having less liking for women and tries to do other things. In studying his psychology, it can be realized that he is mentally unstable as he is affected by the challenging life circumstances. Developmental psychology addresses issues relating ones childhood and the life they adopt in adulthood. The discipline observes how past life experiences and behaviors are reflected in a person as they grow up into adulthood.