Importance of the Time Period // Marli D.

          Memoirs of a Geisha took place in the time period starting in the early 1900's, before and after World War 2. The time period made an extreme impact to the story due to the culture followed by people living in Japan. The lifestyles in Japan were different in the early 1900's than they currently are today.

• In Japan, there were many geisha during the early 1900's. They were trained to learn the arts of Japan at the time, such as the art of the shamisen (a Japanese stringed instrument), singing, and most importantly dance. This fact contributed in making Sayuri's career seem more realistic than it would have today.
• During the early 1900's, men went to see geisha for entertainment but also for the attraction and interests they had for them. Men had different views for women than they do today. Any seduction and abuse that took place in the story that would have seemed profane today, was no big deal back in the day. 
• In the early 1900's people enjoyed different things than they do currently. For example, pale skin color and the back of the neck was seen as attractive. The arts and lifestyles that were popular during this time period in Japan were the ones geisha had to learn and perform. This is important because imagery and ideas may revolve around opinionated people and they must understand when reading novel that people were during this time period were fascinated by different features, traits, etc then we what we find fascinating today, so what happens in the story is less shocking than it would be now. 
• Lastly, the time period was important for this novel because the impact of World War 2 effected the overall conflicts and general plot of the book. Sayuri wouldn't have had as many struggles, such as being forced to leave Gion during the war, if the time period was not during the war.

          In Memoirs of a Geisha, the time period took a great impact to the story mainly because it made the story more realistic and easier to compare or relate to.