(Tori) Theme 1: People are not always who they appear to be.
One theme developed in Arthur Golden's, Memoirs of a Geisha is "people are not always who they appear to be.” This theme is introduced in the beginning of the book when Chiyo’s father and Mr. Tanaka have a brief conversation of the future and what they can bring to the table for Chiyo and Satsu. As time goes on, they make the decision that sending the girls with Mr. Tanaka would be best. As the girls are introduced to Mr. Tanaka they quickly realize that people are not always who they appear to be. Chiyo first realizes this when she gets separated from her sister Satsu and sent out into the world. Chiyo has spent her childhood admiring Mr. Tanaka, but when he sends her to the okiya things change. Chiyo is shoved into a world of slavery, abuse and indecency. As she sits in her room she thinks about her life and says, “I’m sure you’ll recall my saying that the afternoon when I first met Mr. Tanaka was the very best afternoon of my life, and also the very worst.” (100). Chiyo is happy that Mr. Tanaka gave her the opportunity to live the life of a Geisha, but she is very unhappy that he separated her and her sister. Chiyo had the idea that Mr. Tanaka was a nice man and she didn't think he would ever do anything to hurt her. The situation Mr. Tanaka put Chiyo in left her miserable and unable to maintain a happy lifestyle. Mr. Tanaka was not the man Chiyo thought he was. The theme is further developed when Chiyo is training to become a Geisha. Her mentor, Mameha and her are at a teahouse when Hatsumomo shows up to sabotage them. Chiyo describes Hatsumomo as a pistol. “An officer took out his pistol and laid it on the straw mat to impress me. I remember being struck by its beauty. The metal had a dull gray sheen; its curves were perfect and smooth. The oiled wood handle was richly grained. But when I thought of its real purpose as I listened to his stories, it ceased to be beautiful at all and became something monstrous instead. This is exactly what happened to Hatsumomo in my eyes after she brought my debut to a standstill.” (182). Chiyo references the pistol used in war to describe Hatsumomo. The gun looked beautiful on the outside, almost perfect, but when she heard what it has done it became cruel and ugly. The same thing is true for Hatsumomo. She is a very beautiful geisha, but once you see things she has done you realize she has cruel intentions. Finally, at the end of the book, the theme is fully developed when Hatsumomo breaks the final straw and Mother kicks her out. "She didn't leave voluntarily; Mother had thrown her out. And in fact, Mameha believed Mother had been trying to get rid of Hatsumomo for years." (331). This shows that Mother has been wanting to get rid of Hatsumomo for a long time, but throughout the entire book it seemed like Hatsumomo was her favorite. From Hatsumomo's point of view she can see that Mother was not the person she thought she was and her feelings were different from what she displayed.
(Tori) Theme 2: Betrayal
A secondary theme present in Memoirs of a Geisha includes the idea that betrayal hurts, but it can lead to something better. For example, Chiyo flashed back to the memory of betrayal from Mr. Tanaka, which had taunted her ever so often. The author wrote," I couldn't stop thinking about Mr.Tanaka. He had taken me away from my mother and father, sold me into slavery, sold my sister into something even worse. I had taken him as a kind man. I thought he was so refined, so worldly. What a stupid child I had been." (82) Previously, Chiyo fantasized of becoming the “great” Mr. Tanaka’s daughter. Often, she would sneak out to the tea house at night and let her curiosity take over her mind. Some nights she would catch a glimpse of him sipping on some sort of drink, which she was oblivious about, due to her lack of understanding of the culture in Gion. Everything seemed so fascinating about him, until her life turned upside down. First, they met at the train station after the announcement that Chiyo and Satsu would be removed from their home in Yoroido. Although this was a hardship for her, at one point she explains that she was better off to live in Gion than in Yoroido, because there was a better chance at becoming successful enough to support herself. Another example of betrayal was present when Hatsumomo payed Chiyo to run away. She said it would be "less of a burden" if she was not around anymore. "'Look,'She said, and opened her hand. She was holding a number of folded bills-more money than id ever seen, though I don't know how much. 'I've brought this from my room for you...You don't need to thank me. Just take it. You'll repay me by getting yourself out of Kyoto so ill never have to see you again.'" As usual, Hatsumomo's plan ended with a success leading to Chiyo getting in trouble with mother and potentially jeopardizing her future in the Okiya. Fortunately, running away allowed her to explore the curiosity of reuniting with Satsu again. Another way Hatsumomo betrayed Chiyo was when she forbid pumpkin from speaking with her. She said,"You'll have to find yourself another little friend...after Pumpkin and I have our little talk, Shell know better than to speak another word to you in the future."At the time, Chiyo and Pumpkin all each other had, which had an impact on Chiyo's emotions. For a while they spoke very seldom, but when they were reunited, everything felt back in place.
Relation:
Appearance verses reality and Betrayal are two themes that work well with each other. In order to realize that betrayal has taken place, the realization must be made that not everything is as it appears to be. For example, Hatsumomo appeared to be beautiful and nice, but Chiyo thought much differently of her once she realized what Hatsumomo was capable of. At one point, Chiyo was forced to mark on Mameha's lovely kimono with the help of Hatsumomo. Guilt filled Chiyo. She knew wrong from right, but there was nothing she could have done dirrferntly to remover herself from the situation.
(Kalen) Theme 1:Exploitation of the female gender is necessary
In Memoirs of a Geisha, women are exploited in order to meet the standards of becoming a successful geisha. If a woman is uncooperative, her future as a geisha may be compromised. For example, Mameha was teaching Sayuri lessons on how to appropriately reveal her arm to Nobu. She explained,"'I think you're trying to tell me that I bored you,' I said. 'But how can I bore you just pouring a cup of tea?' 'You may not want me looking up your sleeve, but that doesn't mean you have to act prissy! A man is interested in only one thing. Believe me, you'll understand all too soon what I'm talking about. In the meantime,you can keep him happy by letting him think he's permitted to see parts of your body no one else can see. If an apprentice geisha acts the way you did just then-pouring tea just like a maid would-the poor man will lose all hope.'"(234) Sayuri was expected to properly show Nobu her arm in order to send a message to him that she was available. At first she felt used, but the look on Nubu’s face was priceless. When she finally applied Mameha’s advice at the next tea ceremony, Nobu was stunned by her beauty. Later, a conversation with the chairman began when he said,“You can't pretend you're above it Nobu. Nobu-san, We know the truth, don’t we? There isn’t a man a man who wouldn’t pay quite a bit of money just for the chance to watch Sayuri take a bath. Eh? Thats a particular fantasy of mine, I’ll admit...plenty of men act as if they dont chase women just for the chance to get underneath all of those robes, but you listen to me, Sayuri; there is only one kind of man!”(243) The bitter reality struck Sayuri like a baseball bat. She fairly knew what men were interested in, but she thought that deep down, a man would like her for her personality, as well as her looks. In reality, Nobu had no interest getting to know her personally. He introduced a stereotype to her by saying “there is only one kind of man” and that the image of her being naked is more important that her personality. This also relates to when Satsu and Sayuri were stripped down by Ms. Fidget. Violation was an understatement for how they both felt. “She moved Satsu’s bosoms around a bit, looked under arms,and then turned her around and looked at her back. I was in such state of shock, I could barely bring myself to watch. I’d certainly seen Satsu naked before, but the way Ms. Fidget handled her body seemed even more indecent to me than when Satsu held her bathing dress up for the Sagi boy.”(25) In Yurido, mistreatment was uncommon for Sayuri and Satsu. In order to be bought into they okiya, inspection was necessary, even if violation of privacy was part of it. Exploitation the the ways listed above helped Sayuri become the successful geisha that she always dreamed of.
(Kalen) Theme 2
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Self-Determination can lead to new beginnings. Fate, often can be overridden by determination within the character by breaking the forces that hold them back. Previously,Sayuri was a non wealthy peasant in the unheard of town known as Yoroido. When her mother became ill, she was forced into Kyoto where she would live in the Okiya. Starting out as a maid, she noticed a new form of beauty much more different that the view of the ocean in her tipsy house. It was a form of art that included Kimono’s makeup and money. Soon, she became a maid and had the opportunity to build herself up. It was her decision to take advantage of the situation and become more successful and have the opportunity to earn her freedom. Obstacles often got in her way, making her felt dreary with doubt. One night she said to herself, "Wish my eyes squeezed tightly shut and my hands together, I prayed they permit me to become a geisha somehow. I would suffer through my training, bear up under my hardship, for a chance to attract the notice of a man like the chairman again,"(114). Sayuri was desperate to become the best that she could be to break free from the enslavement, which she was placed in at the Okiya. Her ideal dream was to be with the Chairman and live happily ever after. She was unsure of her emotions toward Nobu, which made her feel pressured to make a decision rapidly. She like him greatly as a friend, but nothing more. She said,"I didn't want to lose his friendship; but in my efforts to reach the chairman Nobu was an obstacle I'd found no way around."(395) Sayuri was determined to eliminate Nobu as her future danna and make the Chairman hers. She wanted to destroy everyone's idea of her and Nobu being together before it was too late. Like she wished, her plans were a success due to her determination. Later, she became successful by opening a teahouse, which she was determined to do. She said,"In august of that same year, I moved to New York City to set up my own very small teahouse for Japanese businessmen and politicians travelling through the United states." (426) This opened new doors for opportunity in her future.
One theme developed in Arthur Golden's, Memoirs of a Geisha is "people are not always who they appear to be.” This theme is introduced in the beginning of the book when Chiyo’s father and Mr. Tanaka have a brief conversation of the future and what they can bring to the table for Chiyo and Satsu. As time goes on, they make the decision that sending the girls with Mr. Tanaka would be best. As the girls are introduced to Mr. Tanaka they quickly realize that people are not always who they appear to be. Chiyo first realizes this when she gets separated from her sister Satsu and sent out into the world. Chiyo has spent her childhood admiring Mr. Tanaka, but when he sends her to the okiya things change. Chiyo is shoved into a world of slavery, abuse and indecency. As she sits in her room she thinks about her life and says, “I’m sure you’ll recall my saying that the afternoon when I first met Mr. Tanaka was the very best afternoon of my life, and also the very worst.” (100). Chiyo is happy that Mr. Tanaka gave her the opportunity to live the life of a Geisha, but she is very unhappy that he separated her and her sister. Chiyo had the idea that Mr. Tanaka was a nice man and she didn't think he would ever do anything to hurt her. The situation Mr. Tanaka put Chiyo in left her miserable and unable to maintain a happy lifestyle. Mr. Tanaka was not the man Chiyo thought he was. The theme is further developed when Chiyo is training to become a Geisha. Her mentor, Mameha and her are at a teahouse when Hatsumomo shows up to sabotage them. Chiyo describes Hatsumomo as a pistol. “An officer took out his pistol and laid it on the straw mat to impress me. I remember being struck by its beauty. The metal had a dull gray sheen; its curves were perfect and smooth. The oiled wood handle was richly grained. But when I thought of its real purpose as I listened to his stories, it ceased to be beautiful at all and became something monstrous instead. This is exactly what happened to Hatsumomo in my eyes after she brought my debut to a standstill.” (182). Chiyo references the pistol used in war to describe Hatsumomo. The gun looked beautiful on the outside, almost perfect, but when she heard what it has done it became cruel and ugly. The same thing is true for Hatsumomo. She is a very beautiful geisha, but once you see things she has done you realize she has cruel intentions. Finally, at the end of the book, the theme is fully developed when Hatsumomo breaks the final straw and Mother kicks her out. "She didn't leave voluntarily; Mother had thrown her out. And in fact, Mameha believed Mother had been trying to get rid of Hatsumomo for years." (331). This shows that Mother has been wanting to get rid of Hatsumomo for a long time, but throughout the entire book it seemed like Hatsumomo was her favorite. From Hatsumomo's point of view she can see that Mother was not the person she thought she was and her feelings were different from what she displayed.
(Tori) Theme 2: Betrayal
A secondary theme present in Memoirs of a Geisha includes the idea that betrayal hurts, but it can lead to something better. For example, Chiyo flashed back to the memory of betrayal from Mr. Tanaka, which had taunted her ever so often. The author wrote," I couldn't stop thinking about Mr.Tanaka. He had taken me away from my mother and father, sold me into slavery, sold my sister into something even worse. I had taken him as a kind man. I thought he was so refined, so worldly. What a stupid child I had been." (82) Previously, Chiyo fantasized of becoming the “great” Mr. Tanaka’s daughter. Often, she would sneak out to the tea house at night and let her curiosity take over her mind. Some nights she would catch a glimpse of him sipping on some sort of drink, which she was oblivious about, due to her lack of understanding of the culture in Gion. Everything seemed so fascinating about him, until her life turned upside down. First, they met at the train station after the announcement that Chiyo and Satsu would be removed from their home in Yoroido. Although this was a hardship for her, at one point she explains that she was better off to live in Gion than in Yoroido, because there was a better chance at becoming successful enough to support herself. Another example of betrayal was present when Hatsumomo payed Chiyo to run away. She said it would be "less of a burden" if she was not around anymore. "'Look,'She said, and opened her hand. She was holding a number of folded bills-more money than id ever seen, though I don't know how much. 'I've brought this from my room for you...You don't need to thank me. Just take it. You'll repay me by getting yourself out of Kyoto so ill never have to see you again.'" As usual, Hatsumomo's plan ended with a success leading to Chiyo getting in trouble with mother and potentially jeopardizing her future in the Okiya. Fortunately, running away allowed her to explore the curiosity of reuniting with Satsu again. Another way Hatsumomo betrayed Chiyo was when she forbid pumpkin from speaking with her. She said,"You'll have to find yourself another little friend...after Pumpkin and I have our little talk, Shell know better than to speak another word to you in the future."At the time, Chiyo and Pumpkin all each other had, which had an impact on Chiyo's emotions. For a while they spoke very seldom, but when they were reunited, everything felt back in place.
Relation:
Appearance verses reality and Betrayal are two themes that work well with each other. In order to realize that betrayal has taken place, the realization must be made that not everything is as it appears to be. For example, Hatsumomo appeared to be beautiful and nice, but Chiyo thought much differently of her once she realized what Hatsumomo was capable of. At one point, Chiyo was forced to mark on Mameha's lovely kimono with the help of Hatsumomo. Guilt filled Chiyo. She knew wrong from right, but there was nothing she could have done dirrferntly to remover herself from the situation.
(Kalen) Theme 1:Exploitation of the female gender is necessary
In Memoirs of a Geisha, women are exploited in order to meet the standards of becoming a successful geisha. If a woman is uncooperative, her future as a geisha may be compromised. For example, Mameha was teaching Sayuri lessons on how to appropriately reveal her arm to Nobu. She explained,"'I think you're trying to tell me that I bored you,' I said. 'But how can I bore you just pouring a cup of tea?' 'You may not want me looking up your sleeve, but that doesn't mean you have to act prissy! A man is interested in only one thing. Believe me, you'll understand all too soon what I'm talking about. In the meantime,you can keep him happy by letting him think he's permitted to see parts of your body no one else can see. If an apprentice geisha acts the way you did just then-pouring tea just like a maid would-the poor man will lose all hope.'"(234) Sayuri was expected to properly show Nobu her arm in order to send a message to him that she was available. At first she felt used, but the look on Nubu’s face was priceless. When she finally applied Mameha’s advice at the next tea ceremony, Nobu was stunned by her beauty. Later, a conversation with the chairman began when he said,“You can't pretend you're above it Nobu. Nobu-san, We know the truth, don’t we? There isn’t a man a man who wouldn’t pay quite a bit of money just for the chance to watch Sayuri take a bath. Eh? Thats a particular fantasy of mine, I’ll admit...plenty of men act as if they dont chase women just for the chance to get underneath all of those robes, but you listen to me, Sayuri; there is only one kind of man!”(243) The bitter reality struck Sayuri like a baseball bat. She fairly knew what men were interested in, but she thought that deep down, a man would like her for her personality, as well as her looks. In reality, Nobu had no interest getting to know her personally. He introduced a stereotype to her by saying “there is only one kind of man” and that the image of her being naked is more important that her personality. This also relates to when Satsu and Sayuri were stripped down by Ms. Fidget. Violation was an understatement for how they both felt. “She moved Satsu’s bosoms around a bit, looked under arms,and then turned her around and looked at her back. I was in such state of shock, I could barely bring myself to watch. I’d certainly seen Satsu naked before, but the way Ms. Fidget handled her body seemed even more indecent to me than when Satsu held her bathing dress up for the Sagi boy.”(25) In Yurido, mistreatment was uncommon for Sayuri and Satsu. In order to be bought into they okiya, inspection was necessary, even if violation of privacy was part of it. Exploitation the the ways listed above helped Sayuri become the successful geisha that she always dreamed of.
(Kalen) Theme 2
(
Self-Determination can lead to new beginnings. Fate, often can be overridden by determination within the character by breaking the forces that hold them back. Previously,Sayuri was a non wealthy peasant in the unheard of town known as Yoroido. When her mother became ill, she was forced into Kyoto where she would live in the Okiya. Starting out as a maid, she noticed a new form of beauty much more different that the view of the ocean in her tipsy house. It was a form of art that included Kimono’s makeup and money. Soon, she became a maid and had the opportunity to build herself up. It was her decision to take advantage of the situation and become more successful and have the opportunity to earn her freedom. Obstacles often got in her way, making her felt dreary with doubt. One night she said to herself, "Wish my eyes squeezed tightly shut and my hands together, I prayed they permit me to become a geisha somehow. I would suffer through my training, bear up under my hardship, for a chance to attract the notice of a man like the chairman again,"(114). Sayuri was desperate to become the best that she could be to break free from the enslavement, which she was placed in at the Okiya. Her ideal dream was to be with the Chairman and live happily ever after. She was unsure of her emotions toward Nobu, which made her feel pressured to make a decision rapidly. She like him greatly as a friend, but nothing more. She said,"I didn't want to lose his friendship; but in my efforts to reach the chairman Nobu was an obstacle I'd found no way around."(395) Sayuri was determined to eliminate Nobu as her future danna and make the Chairman hers. She wanted to destroy everyone's idea of her and Nobu being together before it was too late. Like she wished, her plans were a success due to her determination. Later, she became successful by opening a teahouse, which she was determined to do. She said,"In august of that same year, I moved to New York City to set up my own very small teahouse for Japanese businessmen and politicians travelling through the United states." (426) This opened new doors for opportunity in her future.