You are a page at the Heian court of Empress Sshi and Murasaki Shikibu has asked you to take the first twelve chapters of The Tale of Genji to the Empress. But the Empress is on pilgrimage to the Sumiyoshi shrine and you have time to read the scroll.
What do the chapters reveal about Murasaki Shikibu's thoughts on beauty and sadness? (Include a consideration of mono no aware in your reflection.)