Anghelica Eunice P.

Moya
BSA11KB2
Mr. Salirick Andres
I. Introduction

Memoirs of a Geisha, published in 1997, is a bestselling

historical novel that gives color to Japanese culture written by a white man
named Arthur Golden. The novel gives the readers a lot of information
about the life of a geisha before and after the World War II.
Arthur Golden was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, raised by a
family of journalists. His beloved parents, Ben and Ruth, were the ones who
published Chattanooga Times, and around 2000 he has a cousin named
Arthur Ochs Sulzberger who published the popularly known New York
Times. Golden studied at Harvard College where he received a degree in
art history specializing Japanese art. As he learned Mandarin Chinese in
Columbia University, he then earned an M.A in Japanese history in the year
1980. He took a summer at Beijing University while he managed to work in
Tokyo.
When he finally returned to the United States, he now earned an
M.A in English from Boston University. After his very own graduation, he
started to work as a writer and an instructor in literature and writing. In 1982,
he settled his life with Trudy Legee, his wife, whom he met along the way
his flight. He now stayed in Brookline, Massachusetts, with his beloved wife
and two childre
II. Review or Critique Paper

At 1945, Japan agreed to stop fighting with Allied Force after the
bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The World War II in Japan were indeed
important in the book “Memoirs of a Geisha”. During the WWII, the life of a
geisha was really affected and the people were uneasy because of the Allied
Force and American people coming to their land. The teahouses where they
performed were all shut down, including the schools where they study
instruments and other stuff, and the houses they lived in. Their lives were in
a great despair, if they were able to have a wealthy customer who will protect
them and give them a secure life outside the city then they were considered
lucky. Having a difficult life, the others have to sell their own garments and
clothes or work on a factory in order to lift up their lives. Fortunately, when the
Gion district were about to shut down, Sayuri had someone to support her
and provide everything she needs.
As Japan surrendered to Allied Force, as expected, a lot of soldiers
from Allied Force eventually came to Japan. As they occupy their land, the
atmosphere between the foreigners and Japanese people became really
awkward. The Japanese people were uncertain on how they should react and
what should they do with those foreigners surrounding them. As a result of
this situation, everyone who were part of this era felt oppressed as they felt
their freedom being taken away from them.
In the society, the geishas are classified based on their kimonos.
Their kimonos are the ones who defined their social standing and class. They
wore kimonos for different occasions and with different styles. Sayuri evolved
from lower-class society. She was once a daughter of a fisherman in a poor
and small village. Sadly, the women who were living in the lower class were
destined to be sold to okiyas in order to become a geisha. Like Sayuri, other
women do not really have other choice but to become a geisha. Geishas do
not really have power or freedom to choose their own path. There are other
social standards that a geisha should meet and it includes paying what they
owe to the mistress. On the other hand, prostitutes also wore a kimono and
ornaments similar to geisha, but the difference is that, their obi were tied in
the front while geisha’s obi were tied at their back.
 There are symbolisms in Memoirs of a Geisha. One example of
symbolism is water. Water is commonly used in literature and known as a
transparent fluid. It represents the ability of a person or a certain individual to
adapt any conditions or changes. The ability of a water to flow signifies
flexibility and gives learning that change is unavoidable or sure to happen and
sometimes necessary. One good scenario is when Sayuri found a way to
escape which is the roof. Like water, she was able to find a way even if she
was facing different obstacles. Another one is handkerchief. Sayuri kept the
handkerchief with her all the time, the handkerchief simply represents that
love is not impossible in this world though love seems like a fantasy. Another
one is a rice cake, it symbolizes geisha’s virginity. It is given to the bidder from
a geisha so they would bid money for her mizuage or virginity. The story
contains an allusion to WWI where one of the character which is Toshikazu
Nobu unfortunately loses his hand and got marks from being burned on his
face.
III. Conclusion

In this novel, Memoirs of a Geisha, I encountered Nitta Sayuri who

was once a little who just lived from a poor family in a small village became one
of the most popular and wealthy geisha. She went through a lot of hindrances
and trials throughout her journey but she was able to grasp all of it. She met a
lot of characters along the way such as Hatsumomo, who’s main role was
antagonist; Pumpkin, who became her friend and accompanied her in the school;
Mameha, who guided her and introduced her properly in the world of geishas
and to become part of it; and lastly, Chairman, who became the love of her life
and her reason to pursue being a geisha. Those are the characters who became
part of her life for better and for worst. They were the ones who made a great
change in Sayuri’s life.
Sayuri being the main character in the novel, really made it until the end.
She was able to surpass everything she had been through. I realized that after
all the trials there would always be a good thing after all of it. All of her pain and
sacrifices were all worth it as she became a successful woman in the end. As
a result, Sayuri succeeded to maintain their culture or should I say, geisha’s
culture even though she went far away from their homeland which is Japan.
Upon reading this book, I was amazed by her determination to survive
such difficulties in life. I finally learned how to become stronger in facing many
struggles throughout my journey. The book really gives light to my life like how
Sayuri’s life became wonderful at the end. Overall, I enjoyed reading the story.
It had a lot of twists and issues that really captured my interest. I would love to
take a part 2 or give another time to read this story.