The writting of Lady Murasaki in diary is particularly melancholic. She describes the mundane, meaninglessness of her days as a Lady in Waiting. The worries about her fashion, noticing the flowers, the way the seasons pass. She seems to have a sense that she could be doing so much more important work. She is not intellectually stimulated in the intense hyper-pretentious environment of the royal court.
It seems a common feeling of those with intellectual dispositions.
Connections
The Isolationist Trap of Abstract Intellectualism
Link Explanation: Intellectualism, almost by definition, requires one to spend time alone, to think deeply, and to feel. As social creatures, it also requires communication, however it can be very difficult to express complex ideas in a way that others understand. Especially if they come from another culture or different background to you. Intellectualism, therefore, is an isolating activity, and in that isolation, a sense of loneliness can often develop.
Link Explanation: Lady Murasaki seems to be a very close fit for Camus’ concept of the absurd. As she toils and spends her days in the Heian court, she craves more, a deeper meaning. Yet, she finds no answer from the universe. She spends her days watching the time pass and the universe’s silence drives her to depression.
Reference
� The Diary of Lady Murasaki