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Foil
Explanation and Analysis—The Chairman and Nobu:
Though the Chairman and Nobu are close friends and business partners, they also serve as foils for each other throughout the novel. Part of the reason why they are so effective in business, Sayuri feels, is that they complement each others' abilities and skills. The contrast in their characters is emphasized in a passage where Sayuri looks at a photo of the two business partners standing next to each other:
The Chairman—perhaps because of his prematurely gray hair and the difference in their sizes—might almost have been Nobu’s father, though he was only two years older. The articles said that while the Chairman was responsible for the company’s growth and direction, Nobu was responsible for managing it. He was the less glamorous man with the less glamorous job, but apparently he did it so well that the Chairman often said publicly that the company would never have survived several crises without Nobu’s talents.
The Chairman wears stylish suits and has a charming, friendly demeanor. With his strong social skills and handsome appearance, he is well-equipped to be the "face" of the Iwamura Electric Company. In contrast, Nobu is blunt to the point of being rude. Unwilling or unable to mince words, he speaks in a frank and honest manner that occasionally insults others. Additionally, some of the geisha mock him for his appearance, as he is covered in burn scars due to injuries received while in the military. Though he is "the less glamorous man with the less glamorous job," his good, practical sense has ensured the survival of the company. Ultimately, both men serve as foils for each other, and as rivals for Sayuri's affection. Though Sayuri respects Nobu and appreciates his loyalty and honestly, she ultimately falls for the more gentle and kind Chairman.
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