Memoirs of a Geisha

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Chiyo (Sayuri) is taken away from her childhood home when her widowed father concludes that he cannot take care of two daughters alone. Do you think that there are any circumstances under which giving up a child can be the best choice? 

2. Chiyo (Sayuri)’s haunting beauty largely shapes her fate. Do you think that people who are strikingly physically attractive have access to different opportunities and privileges? Are there any drawbacks to this type of beauty?

3. Chiyo (Sayuri) is infatuated with the Chairman from the first time she meets him, and her love for him endures throughout her life. Did you find it believable that Chiyo (Sayuri) would fall for a man she barely knows? Is it significant that Chiyo is so young and vulnerable when she first meets him?

4. Chiyo (Sayuri) depicts her life in New York City and her long-term relationship with the Chairman as peaceful and happy. However, her relationship has to remain perpetually hidden because the Chairman is married. Do you think that a secret relationship can truly be happy? What experiences does Sayuri miss because she is the Chairman’s mistress rather than his wife or partner?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Geishas are often incorrectly depicted as sex workers; however, as the novel makes clear, having sex with men in exchange for money and patronage is part of the role of being a geisha. Do you think that working as a geisha is ultimately empowering for women, or does it limit their agency? 

2. Memoirs of a Geisha is based on an interview Arthur Golden conducted with a Japanese woman who told him about her experiences as a geisha. However, his source later alleged that she never intended for the materials from these conversations to be made public and did not consent to him using her story. What ethical responsibilities do authors have when conducting research? How does the secrecy surrounding geisha culture make it challenging to write about?

3. Memoirs of a Geisha (1997) is written by a white man but focuses on the experiences of a Japanese woman. How do you think the novel might have been received differently had it been written at a later date? To what extent do you think that critiques of cultural appropriation have a role to play in understanding the novel?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The novel begins with a fictional “translator’s note” creating a frame narrative in which a non-Japanese man explains that he is writing down the story dictated to him by a Japanese woman who is a former geisha. What is the significance of this frame narrative, and how did it impact your reading experience?

2. The main plot is conveyed via Sayuri’s retrospective narration as she reflects on her past life. What is the impact of this narrative style? Did you find Sayuri to be a reliable narrator?

3. Discuss the symbolism of Sayuri’s unusual and striking eyes. How do they relate to themes of perception, ignorance, and subjectivity?

4. How does Sayuri grow and develop over the course of the novel? What are her primary motivations as she navigates the complex circumstances of her life?

5. Do you think that the conclusion is a “happy ending” for Sayuri? Why does she seem content and at peace with her life when she looks back on it?