Memoirs of a Geisha Book Club Discussion Questions

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden is a fiction novel that reads like a memoir. Although Memoirs of a Geisha is not based on one person's story, it still provides a lot of insight into Japanese culture and the lives of geisha. Use these Memoirs of a Geisha book club discussion questions to lead your book club through the story.

Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details about Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. Finish the book before reading on.

1. Are geisha prostitutes? Why do many people in America think of them as prostitutes?
   
   
2. The word "geisha" is derived from the Japanese word for "art." In what ways is a geisha an artist?
   
   
3. Was Sayuri a slave? Was her life better as a geisha than it would have been in her fishing village?
   
   
4. How was the day she met Mr. Tanaka both the best and worst day of Sayuri's life?
   
   
5. Did Sayuri betray Nobu or were her actions justified?
   
   
6. Did Sayuri betray Pumpkin by allowing herself to be adopted by the Nitta okiya, as Pumpkin believed? Why do you think Pumpkin was so bitter?
   
   
7. Discuss Sayuri's relationship with the Chairman. Did they love each other? Can love exist between a geisha and her danna or does the unbalanced nature of the relationship make love impossible?
   
   
8. How are Japanese ideas about sexuality different from American ideas?
   
   
9. Why does Arthur Golden start the novel with a "translator's note?" Did the story seem true to you? Was he affective at writing from a woman's perspective?
   
   
10. Rate Memoirs of a Geisha on a scale of 1 to 5.