Memoirs of a Geisha

by Arthur Golden

Memoirs of a Geisha: Style 1 key example

Chapter 14
Explanation and Analysis:

The style of the novel blends historical fact and fiction. Though Sayuri is not a real person, her story is based upon various real geisha, some interviewed by Golden. Throughout her narrative, Sayuri’s life is shaped by historical events, including the Great Depression of the 1930’s, World War II, and the American occupation of Japan, and she brushes shoulders with a mix of fictional characters and actual figures from the history of Japan, including famous artists and military generals. This blend of fact and fiction contributes to the novel’s memoir-like tone, even though it is still primarily a work of fiction.