Biography of the Author
Arthur Golden was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and was educated at Harvard College, where he received a degree in art history, specializing in Japanese art. In 1980, he earned an M.A. in Japanese history from Columbia University, where he also learned Mandarin Chinese. Following a summer at Beijing University, he worked in Tokyo, and, after returning to the United States, earned an M.A. in English from Boston University. He is the author of Memoirs of a Geisha, which was adapted into a film in 2005. He resides in Brookline, Massachusetts, with his wife and two children.
Source: "Arthur Golden Biography, plus Links to Book Reviews and Book Excerpts from Books by Arthur Golden." BookBrowse.com. n.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013.
Themes
- Slavery
The theme of slavery can be seen in this novel. Little children are bought and sold to different people. In Memoirs of a Geisha, it is evident that the main character of the novel, Sayuri or known back then as Chiyo was sold off together with her elder sister, Satsu. This is because they were from a poverty-stricken family. Their father is unable support them anymore whereas their ailing mother is going to die soon. Therefore, the elder sister was sold off to a brothel to become a prostitute whereas Chiyo was sold off to an okiya, which is the house of a geisha. Chiyo worked as a maid in the okiya but soon began her training to become a geisha. Chiyo was treated as a slave as she had no voice but to only listen to people’s orders. She also has to pay her dues and debt in order to obtain her freedom. Unfortunately, the reality is that many of these women who become geishas will never be free again as their debt is too high of a price. Geishas become slaves as they would most probably never have the ability to earn freedom in their lives as they continue to serve as artists. They are bound to restrictions and they will never have the ability to truly experience freedom. In their respective okiyas, they basically live as slaves. If the geishas are bought as mistresses to men who are known to be their danna, they will continue serving the men. They are not free to find true love and immerse themselves in the world of romance. Some may fall in love with their dannas but many do not. Like Sayuri, she was not in love with her first danna, General Tottori. She was in love with the Chairman, Iwamura Ken. She was never truly happy as her feelings for the Chairman lingered on and she would always find a way to be closer with him.
In this novel, we can see the clear description of exploitation of the female gender. Geishas are always associated with sexual favours. This is not true but it is not entirely false as well. Geishas are not allowed to perform sexual favours but unfortunately, some do as they are promised more money by their clients, the men. The virginity of a geisha apprentice (Maiko) is also put up for sale. The ceremony where a man takes the apprentice’s virginity is known as mizuage. It is believed that the mizuage is a coming-of-age ceremony for the apprentice. Wealthy men who are interested in the apprentice would bid on her virginity so that the apprentice can ‘grow up’ to become a woman and in turn, a full- fledged geisha. This shows how men exploit women with their mentality that a woman can be bought with money. On the other hand, women are exploited again as they become prostitutes. Prostitutes are paid handsomely compared to other jobs and this creates a notion that women can only earn well through sex. They have been exploited by the dominant male gender. They have no say or voice as the men are the people who have control over them. In conclusion, women in that era were easily exploited by members of the community especially men. Their needs were not catered and they were not given whatever support they needed or deserved.
There is also the theme of classes within society which can be seen through this novel. The different classes within society are portrayed very vividly. In a fishing village such as Yoroido in Japan, the people are suffering from poverty and struggle on a daily basis. On the other hand, the people in Kyoto live a much better life. People are able to enjoy the luxuries of life. For example, men are able to pay huge sums of money just to be entertained by geishas. They are able to pay for sexual services as well as enjoy watching plays. This shows a clear divide between the lifestyles of different classes within society. Furthermore, it can be seen that there are different classes within the same community. For example, geishas who are more successful will frown upon geishas who are less successful. They would discriminate against less successful geishas as treat them as they are a class lower and undeserving of respect. For example, Hatsumomo, a successful geisha, would always look down on other geishas. When she feels threatened by a geisha that could be more successful than her, she plots a scheme against that geisha. Hatsumomo would always bully Chiyo/Sayuri because she feels threatened by her. She was not fond of Mameha as well because Mameha was a more successful geisha. When Sayuri was adopted by Mother, her rank became higher than Hatsumomo. She had the power over Hatsumomo and Hatsumomo would not be able to bully her anymore. This clearly shows that there are classes within society. The lower ranked society were exploited whereas the higher ranked society exploited.
Memoirs of a Geisha is set during the early 20th century. It takes place in 1929, which is after the Japanese war. The story continues until after World War II where Sayuri ends with a reflection on her life as she lives in New York.
Memoirs of a Geisha begins in a poor fishing village in Yoroido, Japan. This was where the protagonist, Chiyo grew up until she was sold to an okiya. The next part of her life takes place in Gion, which is a suburb of Kyoto, Japan. There are places like the city of Kyoto, Osaka, Nagasaki, Tokyo, and Senzuru that are geographic locations in the novel as well. The novel ends with Sayuri living in New York City, United States of America where she ends her life story as a geisha.
The mood of the novel is melancholic and romantic. The novel is written in the first person view. Therefore, as the protagonist is reliving her story, we see traits of melancholy as well as romanticism.
From the novel, we can see that the story takes place after the Japanese war. This was a period where the poor were really poor and struggle throughout their daily lives whereas the rich were really rich and was able to enjoy the luxuries of life. The story extends until World War II which was a period of crisis. Everyone in Japan struggled in their lives in aspects such as food, money, jobs and such. Many lives were sacrificed due to the war and after the war, Japan was in dire need of redevelopment.
In Memoirs of a Geisha, the story is told from a first person view. The narrator of the story is Nitta Sayuri formerly known as Chiyo Sakomoto. Her voice in the story expresses a sense of wisdom and quiet emotion. Her life experiences have taught her many things and now she reflects upon them with an understanding that has grown throughout the years. She does not have a full understanding of the other characters’ emotions as the focus is on hers. However, from her narration, we can see that the people of Japan during that period are working hard to rise and develop themselves. The poor people are sad and struggle to try their best through their hardships. The rich people are enjoying the luxuries of life and are filled with happiness. However, as World War II starts, everyone no matter poor or rich are thrown into a state of crisis. The whole situation was bleak and everyone was in a state of depression. In the end of the novel, as Sayuri makes her final words, we see that she has an understanding of the events in her life and ends with a message of hope.
Character Analysis
- Chiyo is the main protagonist of this novel. The novel starts with her telling her story when she was a nine year old girl and how she became a geisha. She had very unique eyes as they were unusually grayish-blue instead of the norm that is dark brown. She was born in a small fishing village called Yoroido where she lived as a normal young girl with her family. She faces a turning point in her life when she and her elder sister were sold off with her being sold into a geisha house. She then becomes determined to free herself and reunite with her sister. She proves to be a very strong as well as poetic person. She was born in the year of the Monkey, which means that she is a smart person. - Chiyo is also a very imaginative person. In her childhood, her imagination led her to believe that she and her sister, Satsu will be adopted by Mr. Tanaka. Instead, they were sold off. Chiyo was sold off to an okiya whereas Satsu was sold off to a brothel as a prostitute.
- Chiyo was often bullied by Hatsumomo, a geisha in the okiya she lives in. Hatsumomo wanted to destroy her life as a geisha and she continued doing it for many years to make Chiyo suffer.
- A meeting with the famous and successful geisha, Mameha changes Chiyo’s life as Mameha volunteers to take her on as a ‘little sister.’ With Mameha’s skill, Chiyo changes into Sayuri and is able to become one of the top geishas in Gion. Mameha carefully trains Sayuri so that she is able to handle and survive the cruel and brutal geisha world.
- Early in her life, before Chiyo became a geisha, she meets a man that she calls ‘The Chairman’. As she showed compassion and kindness towards her, she secretly falls in love with him. Therefore, her desicion to become a geisha and many of her actions throughout her career are a reflection of her inner desire to be close with the Chairman. Sometimes, as she is too caught up to be closer with the Chairman, she sabotages her career as well as Mameha’s plans for her.
- Sayuri knows how to socialize with men well. She learns to recognize the good people in her life, and she values friendship. This is the reason that Sayuri comes upon a difficult decision as she wants to avoid having Nobu, her dear friend as her danna due to her feelings for the Chairman but she does not want to hurt him and sacrifice their friendship. In the end, her years of longing for the Chairman are rewarded when he becomes her danna until his death.
- Mameha is one of the most famous and successful geishas in Japan.
- She had the highest mizuage on record until Sayuri’s mizuage broke the record.
- She agrees to adopt Chiyo as her ‘little sister’ and gave her the name, Sayuri as her geisha name.
- Although she is not as pretty as Hatsumomo, she is kinder and wiser and this is proven by her actions towards the people around her.
- She makes more money than Hatsumomo because she has a danna. She has also gained independence which then allows to live on her own in an apartment rather than an okiya.
- Iwamura Ken is referred to as ‘The Chairman’ in the novel. He is the head of an electric company in Japan known as Iwamura Electric. He began working in the industry when he was a teenager. When he invented a special socket that is the two-bulb socket, the electric company that he was working for would not produce them. Therefore, he started his own company. The company struggles for a few years until he meets Nobu who he collaborates with on a military base project. The two then become friends and partners. The company grows tremendously due to their partnership.
- The Chairman’s meeting with Sayuri touched him that he asks Mameha’s assistance in Sayuri’s career. He desired to be in Sayuri’s life when the time is right. Unfortunately, when Mameha and Sayuri begin entertaining for Iwamura Electric, his friend and partner, Nobu is interested in Sayuri. Due to the difficulties that Nobu has faced in his life and how much the Chairman owes him, the Chairman refuses to cause disappointment and chooses not to interfere in the relationship between Nobu and Sayuri.
- However, when he finds out that Sayuri and Nobu will not enter into a danna relationship, the Chairman confesses his feelings for Sayuri. He then becomes Sayuri’s danna. They have an illegitimate son together and in order to protect his company’s interest, Sayuri moves to New York together with their son.
- Hatsumomo is an attractive geisha and survives as a geisha on her looks.
- Underneath her beauty, she is filled with cruelty and hatred. She views Sayuri as a threat and schemes to make it impossible for Sayuri to become a successful geisha.
- There is a rivalry between Mameha and Hatsumomo as well. Hence, when Mameha adopts Sayuri as her ‘little sister’, it is presumed by Sayuri that Mameha’s actions are to get revenge on Hatsumomo. - In the end, Mameha and Sayuri manage to destroy Hatsumomo. Hatsumomo is trapped in self-destruction with the amount of jealousy and hatred she carries.
- Hatsumomo is thrown out from the okiya and resorts to prostitution.
- It is implied that she drinked herself to death with too much sake.
- Nobu is the president of Iwamura Electric and a close and loyal friend of the Chairman. As the president, he proves to be a brilliant businessman.
- Due to a military accident, he is missing an arm and has burn scars on his face and body.
- He is a logical yet impatient man. However, he is extremely loyal and kind to the people he respects.
- He believes that Sayuri has more character than most geishas. With that, he wants to become her danna. However, when he discovers the truth about Sayuri’s disloyalty, he becomes enraged and discards her from his life. This then allows the Chairman to step forward and become Sayuri’s danna.
- Mother is the head of the okiya that purchases Sayuri.
- She is an ugly woman and this is what made her an unsuccessful geisha. Now, she makes her living running the okiya. The only prominent thing in Mother’s life is money.
- Although she knows that Hatsumomo is manipulative and a liar, she only helps Sayuri when it provides her with financial advantage.
- She adopts Sayuri as her daughter.
- During World War II, she earns quite a sum of money in the ‘grey market’.
- After the war, she reopens the okiya.
- Dr. Crab is a physician in the Gion district. He is called ‘Dr. Crab’ as he hunches his shoulders and sticks out his elbows.
- He has a particular interest in winning apprentice geishas' mizuage, or virginity.
- Mameha uses Dr. Crab's reputation as a ‘mizuage specialist’ to increase the price of Sayuri's mizuage.
- He keeps a specimen of the apprentice geishas’ blood released during the mizuage ceremony.
- Sayuri nicknames the other girl her age at the okiya, ‘Pumpkin’.
- Her name ‘Pumpkin’ stays with her even into her geisha years.
- She begins working at the okiya as a maid until she begins geisha tranining.
- She is not particularly intelligent. She has difficulty mastering the skills taught at geisha schools.
- She becomes Hatsumomo’s ‘little sister’ and is constantly dominated by Hatsumomo.
- Pumpkin and Sayuri are friends until their apprenticeships forces them to compete with each other. The rivalry generates bitterness and hatred in Pumpkin, who then sabotages Sayuri's plan to betray Nobu. Pumpkin seeks for revenge because Mother adopted Sayuri as the daughter of the okiya after the position is promised to her.
- General Tottori becomes Sayuri's danna. His position in the military makes him an attractive danna prospect.
- During the war, prices of items are rising and are being rationed. He is able to provide things for the okiya.
- He provides for Sayuri and the okiya until his arrest.
- The conflict between an individual and another individual can be seen in the novel. This conflict can be seen between Sayuri and Hatsumomo. When Sayuri first arrives at the okiya, Hatsumomo knew that Sayuri would be her competition. This is because Sayuri has grayish-blue eyes which are every unusual and make her unique and pretty. Hatsumomo feels jealous and sets out to destroy Sayuri’s life. Sayuri is constantly bullied in the okiya. Hatsumomo will always frame her for actions she has not done as well as calling her ‘Little Miss Stupid’. Hatsumomo will do whatever it takes so that Sayuri’s career as a geisha is destroyed. When Sayuri is adopted as the daughter of the okiya, she finally holds power over Hatsumomo. She is able to stand up to Hatsumomo and is no longer fearful of her.
- The conflict between an individual and oneself can also be seen in this novel. This conflict would be between Sayuri and herself. In her early years, she met a man who she refers to as the Chairman. Ever since that meeting with him, she has developed feelings for him that drives her to become a geisha. That man is Iwamura Ken, the chairman of Iwamura Electric. After meeting him again, she wants to be with him. However, when Nobu would most likely be her danna, she contemplates to betray his trust and friendship to be with the Chairman. She went back and forth between decisions to betray Nobu. In the end, she did and that is why Nobu throws her out from his life. With this, the Chairman seizes the oppurtunity to be Sayuri’s danna and be with her.
- Exploitation of the female gender
In this novel, we can see the clear description of exploitation of the female gender. Geishas are always associated with sexual favours. This is not true but it is not entirely false as well. Geishas are not allowed to perform sexual favours but unfortunately, some do as they are promised more money by their clients, the men. The virginity of a geisha apprentice (Maiko) is also put up for sale. The ceremony where a man takes the apprentice’s virginity is known as mizuage. It is believed that the mizuage is a coming-of-age ceremony for the apprentice. Wealthy men who are interested in the apprentice would bid on her virginity so that the apprentice can ‘grow up’ to become a woman and in turn, a full- fledged geisha. This shows how men exploit women with their mentality that a woman can be bought with money. On the other hand, women are exploited again as they become prostitutes. Prostitutes are paid handsomely compared to other jobs and this creates a notion that women can only earn well through sex. They have been exploited by the dominant male gender. They have no say or voice as the men are the people who have control over them. In conclusion, women in that era were easily exploited by members of the community especially men. Their needs were not catered and they were not given whatever support they needed or deserved.
- Classes within society
There is also the theme of classes within society which can be seen through this novel. The different classes within society are portrayed very vividly. In a fishing village such as Yoroido in Japan, the people are suffering from poverty and struggle on a daily basis. On the other hand, the people in Kyoto live a much better life. People are able to enjoy the luxuries of life. For example, men are able to pay huge sums of money just to be entertained by geishas. They are able to pay for sexual services as well as enjoy watching plays. This shows a clear divide between the lifestyles of different classes within society. Furthermore, it can be seen that there are different classes within the same community. For example, geishas who are more successful will frown upon geishas who are less successful. They would discriminate against less successful geishas as treat them as they are a class lower and undeserving of respect. For example, Hatsumomo, a successful geisha, would always look down on other geishas. When she feels threatened by a geisha that could be more successful than her, she plots a scheme against that geisha. Hatsumomo would always bully Chiyo/Sayuri because she feels threatened by her. She was not fond of Mameha as well because Mameha was a more successful geisha. When Sayuri was adopted by Mother, her rank became higher than Hatsumomo. She had the power over Hatsumomo and Hatsumomo would not be able to bully her anymore. This clearly shows that there are classes within society. The lower ranked society were exploited whereas the higher ranked society exploited. Settings
- Time Period
Memoirs of a Geisha is set during the early 20th century. It takes place in 1929, which is after the Japanese war. The story continues until after World War II where Sayuri ends with a reflection on her life as she lives in New York.
- Geographic Location
Memoirs of a Geisha begins in a poor fishing village in Yoroido, Japan. This was where the protagonist, Chiyo grew up until she was sold to an okiya. The next part of her life takes place in Gion, which is a suburb of Kyoto, Japan. There are places like the city of Kyoto, Osaka, Nagasaki, Tokyo, and Senzuru that are geographic locations in the novel as well. The novel ends with Sayuri living in New York City, United States of America where she ends her life story as a geisha.
- Mood
The mood of the novel is melancholic and romantic. The novel is written in the first person view. Therefore, as the protagonist is reliving her story, we see traits of melancholy as well as romanticism.
- Social Conditions
From the novel, we can see that the story takes place after the Japanese war. This was a period where the poor were really poor and struggle throughout their daily lives whereas the rich were really rich and was able to enjoy the luxuries of life. The story extends until World War II which was a period of crisis. Everyone in Japan struggled in their lives in aspects such as food, money, jobs and such. Many lives were sacrificed due to the war and after the war, Japan was in dire need of redevelopment.
- Emotional Conditions
In Memoirs of a Geisha, the story is told from a first person view. The narrator of the story is Nitta Sayuri formerly known as Chiyo Sakomoto. Her voice in the story expresses a sense of wisdom and quiet emotion. Her life experiences have taught her many things and now she reflects upon them with an understanding that has grown throughout the years. She does not have a full understanding of the other characters’ emotions as the focus is on hers. However, from her narration, we can see that the people of Japan during that period are working hard to rise and develop themselves. The poor people are sad and struggle to try their best through their hardships. The rich people are enjoying the luxuries of life and are filled with happiness. However, as World War II starts, everyone no matter poor or rich are thrown into a state of crisis. The whole situation was bleak and everyone was in a state of depression. In the end of the novel, as Sayuri makes her final words, we see that she has an understanding of the events in her life and ends with a message of hope. Character Analysis
- Chiyo Sakamoto/ Nitta Sayuri
- Chiyo is the main protagonist of this novel. The novel starts with her telling her story when she was a nine year old girl and how she became a geisha. She had very unique eyes as they were unusually grayish-blue instead of the norm that is dark brown. She was born in a small fishing village called Yoroido where she lived as a normal young girl with her family. She faces a turning point in her life when she and her elder sister were sold off with her being sold into a geisha house. She then becomes determined to free herself and reunite with her sister. She proves to be a very strong as well as poetic person. She was born in the year of the Monkey, which means that she is a smart person. - Chiyo is also a very imaginative person. In her childhood, her imagination led her to believe that she and her sister, Satsu will be adopted by Mr. Tanaka. Instead, they were sold off. Chiyo was sold off to an okiya whereas Satsu was sold off to a brothel as a prostitute. - Chiyo was often bullied by Hatsumomo, a geisha in the okiya she lives in. Hatsumomo wanted to destroy her life as a geisha and she continued doing it for many years to make Chiyo suffer.
- A meeting with the famous and successful geisha, Mameha changes Chiyo’s life as Mameha volunteers to take her on as a ‘little sister.’ With Mameha’s skill, Chiyo changes into Sayuri and is able to become one of the top geishas in Gion. Mameha carefully trains Sayuri so that she is able to handle and survive the cruel and brutal geisha world.
- Early in her life, before Chiyo became a geisha, she meets a man that she calls ‘The Chairman’. As she showed compassion and kindness towards her, she secretly falls in love with him. Therefore, her desicion to become a geisha and many of her actions throughout her career are a reflection of her inner desire to be close with the Chairman. Sometimes, as she is too caught up to be closer with the Chairman, she sabotages her career as well as Mameha’s plans for her.
- Sayuri knows how to socialize with men well. She learns to recognize the good people in her life, and she values friendship. This is the reason that Sayuri comes upon a difficult decision as she wants to avoid having Nobu, her dear friend as her danna due to her feelings for the Chairman but she does not want to hurt him and sacrifice their friendship. In the end, her years of longing for the Chairman are rewarded when he becomes her danna until his death.
- Mameha
- Mameha is one of the most famous and successful geishas in Japan. - She had the highest mizuage on record until Sayuri’s mizuage broke the record.
- She agrees to adopt Chiyo as her ‘little sister’ and gave her the name, Sayuri as her geisha name.
- Although she is not as pretty as Hatsumomo, she is kinder and wiser and this is proven by her actions towards the people around her.
- She makes more money than Hatsumomo because she has a danna. She has also gained independence which then allows to live on her own in an apartment rather than an okiya.
- The Chairman (Iwamura Ken)
- Iwamura Ken is referred to as ‘The Chairman’ in the novel. He is the head of an electric company in Japan known as Iwamura Electric. He began working in the industry when he was a teenager. When he invented a special socket that is the two-bulb socket, the electric company that he was working for would not produce them. Therefore, he started his own company. The company struggles for a few years until he meets Nobu who he collaborates with on a military base project. The two then become friends and partners. The company grows tremendously due to their partnership. - The Chairman’s meeting with Sayuri touched him that he asks Mameha’s assistance in Sayuri’s career. He desired to be in Sayuri’s life when the time is right. Unfortunately, when Mameha and Sayuri begin entertaining for Iwamura Electric, his friend and partner, Nobu is interested in Sayuri. Due to the difficulties that Nobu has faced in his life and how much the Chairman owes him, the Chairman refuses to cause disappointment and chooses not to interfere in the relationship between Nobu and Sayuri.
- However, when he finds out that Sayuri and Nobu will not enter into a danna relationship, the Chairman confesses his feelings for Sayuri. He then becomes Sayuri’s danna. They have an illegitimate son together and in order to protect his company’s interest, Sayuri moves to New York together with their son.
- Hatsumomo
- Hatsumomo is an attractive geisha and survives as a geisha on her looks. - Underneath her beauty, she is filled with cruelty and hatred. She views Sayuri as a threat and schemes to make it impossible for Sayuri to become a successful geisha.
- There is a rivalry between Mameha and Hatsumomo as well. Hence, when Mameha adopts Sayuri as her ‘little sister’, it is presumed by Sayuri that Mameha’s actions are to get revenge on Hatsumomo. - In the end, Mameha and Sayuri manage to destroy Hatsumomo. Hatsumomo is trapped in self-destruction with the amount of jealousy and hatred she carries.
- Hatsumomo is thrown out from the okiya and resorts to prostitution.
- It is implied that she drinked herself to death with too much sake.
- Toshikazu Nobu
- Nobu is the president of Iwamura Electric and a close and loyal friend of the Chairman. As the president, he proves to be a brilliant businessman. - Due to a military accident, he is missing an arm and has burn scars on his face and body.
- He is a logical yet impatient man. However, he is extremely loyal and kind to the people he respects.
- He believes that Sayuri has more character than most geishas. With that, he wants to become her danna. However, when he discovers the truth about Sayuri’s disloyalty, he becomes enraged and discards her from his life. This then allows the Chairman to step forward and become Sayuri’s danna.
- Nitta Kayoko (Mother)
- Mother is the head of the okiya that purchases Sayuri. - She is an ugly woman and this is what made her an unsuccessful geisha. Now, she makes her living running the okiya. The only prominent thing in Mother’s life is money.
- Although she knows that Hatsumomo is manipulative and a liar, she only helps Sayuri when it provides her with financial advantage.
- She adopts Sayuri as her daughter.
- During World War II, she earns quite a sum of money in the ‘grey market’.
- After the war, she reopens the okiya.
- Dr. Crab
- Dr. Crab is a physician in the Gion district. He is called ‘Dr. Crab’ as he hunches his shoulders and sticks out his elbows. - He has a particular interest in winning apprentice geishas' mizuage, or virginity.
- Mameha uses Dr. Crab's reputation as a ‘mizuage specialist’ to increase the price of Sayuri's mizuage.
- He keeps a specimen of the apprentice geishas’ blood released during the mizuage ceremony.
- Pumpkin
- Sayuri nicknames the other girl her age at the okiya, ‘Pumpkin’. - Her name ‘Pumpkin’ stays with her even into her geisha years.
- She begins working at the okiya as a maid until she begins geisha tranining.
- She is not particularly intelligent. She has difficulty mastering the skills taught at geisha schools.
- She becomes Hatsumomo’s ‘little sister’ and is constantly dominated by Hatsumomo.
- Pumpkin and Sayuri are friends until their apprenticeships forces them to compete with each other. The rivalry generates bitterness and hatred in Pumpkin, who then sabotages Sayuri's plan to betray Nobu. Pumpkin seeks for revenge because Mother adopted Sayuri as the daughter of the okiya after the position is promised to her.
- General Tottori
- General Tottori becomes Sayuri's danna. His position in the military makes him an attractive danna prospect. - During the war, prices of items are rising and are being rationed. He is able to provide things for the okiya.
- He provides for Sayuri and the okiya until his arrest.
Conflicts
- Individual vs. Individual
- The conflict between an individual and another individual can be seen in the novel. This conflict can be seen between Sayuri and Hatsumomo. When Sayuri first arrives at the okiya, Hatsumomo knew that Sayuri would be her competition. This is because Sayuri has grayish-blue eyes which are every unusual and make her unique and pretty. Hatsumomo feels jealous and sets out to destroy Sayuri’s life. Sayuri is constantly bullied in the okiya. Hatsumomo will always frame her for actions she has not done as well as calling her ‘Little Miss Stupid’. Hatsumomo will do whatever it takes so that Sayuri’s career as a geisha is destroyed. When Sayuri is adopted as the daughter of the okiya, she finally holds power over Hatsumomo. She is able to stand up to Hatsumomo and is no longer fearful of her.
- Individual vs. Self
- The conflict between an individual and oneself can also be seen in this novel. This conflict would be between Sayuri and herself. In her early years, she met a man who she refers to as the Chairman. Ever since that meeting with him, she has developed feelings for him that drives her to become a geisha. That man is Iwamura Ken, the chairman of Iwamura Electric. After meeting him again, she wants to be with him. However, when Nobu would most likely be her danna, she contemplates to betray his trust and friendship to be with the Chairman. She went back and forth between decisions to betray Nobu. In the end, she did and that is why Nobu throws her out from his life. With this, the Chairman seizes the oppurtunity to be Sayuri’s danna and be with her. Quotations
“......was the very best afternoon of my life, and also the very worst afternoon.”...” (Page 14)- How is it her best afternoon as well as the worst? Did the afternoon significantly change her life or left a deep impact that changes who she is?
“...If I had never known him, I’m sure I would not have become a geisha...” (Page 14)
- How does her meeting with him made her become a geisha?
“...Instead of being dark brown like everyone else’s, my mother’s eyes were a translucent gray, and mine are just the same...” (Page 16)
- Instead of having dark brown eyes like most Asians do, Chiyo’s eyes were like her mother’s, a translucent gray colour. This made her very unique and she captured people’s attention when they looked into her eyes.
“...My name back then was Chiyo. I wouldn’t be known by my geisha name, Sayuri, until years later...” (Page 19)
- She was originally named Chiyo. However, after becoming a geisha years later, she changed her name into Sayuri.
“...Was life nothing more than a storm that constantly washed away what had been there only a moment before, and left behind something barren and unrecognizable?...” (Page 21)
- Chiyo was feeling depressed after hearing news that her mother was going to pass away soon. Therefore, she thought to herself about life. Is life constantly changing that the after effect of the change is not known or unfamiliar to the person?
“...Fishermen are terribly superstitious, you see. They especially don’t like women to have anything to do with fishing...” (Page 24)
- Clear discrimination againt women within society
- Women are not treated as equals
“...Couldn’t the wrong sort of living turn anyone mean?...” (Page 126)
- Can someone change their attitude solely because of the events that took place in their lives?
“...This is why dreams can be such dangerous things...” (Page 140)
- Dreams can sometimes help us by motivating us to achieve them. However, sometimes dreams can be bad as well as they affect us deeply that it becomes hard for us to live as usual.
“...I made the shift from being an apprentice to being a geisha...” (Page 374)
- This is a momentous event in Sayuri’s life. She is now a full-fledged geisha instead of being an apprentice in training.
“...Since moving to New York I’ve learned what the word “geisha” really means to most Westerners...” (Page 375)
- Most Westerners have the perception that geisha are synonymous with prostitutes. However, this is false as geishas are entertainers or artists.
“...”Didn’t you ever wonder why Mameha became your older sister?” he asked me...” (Page 532)
- Here, Sayuri discovers the truth behind everything. She realizes that she became Mameha’s ‘little sister’ because the Chairman asked Mameha to do so. The Chairman has always had feelings towards Sayuri and longs to be with her.
Lens
- Gender Lens
- In the novel, we see the gender lens heavily
applied. Firstly, we see that women are individuals who are exploited by
people, namely the male individuals. They are taken advantage in a sexual
aspect. The notion in the society is that women would have to use their
physical assets to be able to lead a comfortable life. Geishas, for example,
are supposed to entertain men using their skills. The geishas who are pretty
would be more favourable among the men and therefore, be more successful. The
geisha would then be able to have a more comfortable and luxurious life. When
men take a very deep interest in a geisha, he will offer to be her danna (caretaker). She will then be his
mistress and continue to serve him as long he is her danna. For apprentice geishas, when it comes to their mizuage ceremony, men will bid on their
virginity. Furthermore, many women become prostitutes as well in brothels. They
become prostitutes so that they can earn more money and have a comfortable
life. They do not have to work hard and struggle to earn sufficient money. In
conclusion, this shows that women are oppressed by men in society. This novel
focuses on the female society in Japan during the 1920s and the years
following. They are taken advantage sexually. It shows that women are nothing
more than sex objects meant to pleasure men with their desires and lust. It can
be said that each women has a price and it depends on their physical
attributes. Moreover, women are also portrayed as individuals who need support
from men. To lead a comfortable life, geishas need a danna who will provide for them. This means that women have no
chance to support themselves through their own hard work and determination.
Women also lack freedom and independence in their lives. They have little
control over their lives as men are the individuals who have a say in
everything. They are just expected to serve men. They have no chance to truly
experience freedom as independent women. Hence, this novel promotes and
perpetuates the Asian female stereotype that is perceived as submissive
individuals who have no voice for themselves.
