Sayuri`s dilemma in realizing her dream of becoming a successful geisha as seen in Golden`s Memoirs of A Geisha - USD Repository

  SAYURI’S DILEMMA IN REALIZING HER DREAM OF BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL GEISHA AS SEEN IN GOLDEN’S MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

  SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS A Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree in English Language Education By Rizki Sakti Eka Putri Student Number: 061214069 ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA 2012

  SAYURI’S DILEMMA IN REALIZING HER DREAM OF BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL GEISHA AS SEEN IN GOLDEN’S MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS

  Presented as Partial of Fulfillment the Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree in English Education By Rizki Sakti Eka Putri Student Number: 061214069       ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA 2012

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The time is always running Days and nights bring my life spins so fast… There are tears and laughs, counting my breaths… To keep living, standing, struggling, winning, and yelling to the world that I’m alive That’s all are not because I’m strong

  But it is simply because of love… and I am loved…

I dedicate this thesis to my beloved parents, my lovely sister, and my friends

     

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ABSTRACT

  Putri, Rizki Sakti Eka. (2012). Sayuri’s Dilemma in Realizing Her Dream of

Becoming a Successful Geisha as seen in Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha.

Yogyakarta: English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University.

  This study discusses Sayuri’s dilemma in realizing her dream of becoming a successful geisha as seen in Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha. Memoirs of a

  

Geisha tells about the life of a geisha named Nitta Sayuri. Because of poverty, she

  is sold by her parents to Nitta Okiya when she is nine years old. In the future, she transforms into one of the most popular geisha in Gion.

  There are three problems formulated in this study. The first problem is how Sayuri is described in Memoirs of a Geisha novel. The second problem is why Sayuri wants to become a geisha. The third is how Sayuri faces a dilemma in realizing her dream of becoming a successful geisha in Golden’s Memoirs of a

  

Geisha. In solving the three problems above, the psychological and sociocultural-

  historical approaches, theory of character and characterization, theory of motivation, theory of dilemma, and information about social background of Japanese society were applied. The method of this study was library research. There were two sources used in this study, namely, the primary data, which was

  

Memoirs of a Geisha novel itself, and the secondary data taken from the books of

  character and characterization, human motivation, dilemma, and social background of Japanese society.

  Based on the analysis, Sayuri is characterized as a smart, tough, hard working, persistent, and attractive person. She has three motives in becoming a geisha. They are the need to get free from Hatsumomo, the need to be together with Chairman Ken Iwamura, and the need to pay all her debts to Nitta Okiya and start her own life. In realizing her dream of becoming a successful geisha, Sayuri is facing a dilemma. There are three causes of the dilemma, namely Sayuri’s love for Chairman Ken Iwamura, Sayuri’s position as geisha, and Sayuri’s responsibility for Nitta Okiya. Sayuri overcomes the dilemma by having her role as a geisha and keeping her dream to be Chairman Ken Iwamura’s mistress, and by humiliating herself in front of Nobu Toshikazu.

  Keywords: dilemma, dream, geisha vii

  

ABSTRAK

  Putri, Rizki Sakti Eka. (2012). Sayuri’s Dilemma in Realizing Her Dream of

Becoming a Successful Geisha as seen in Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha.

Yogyakarta: Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.

   

  Studi ini membahas tentang dilema Sayuri dalam mewujudkan impiannya menjadi seorang geisha yang sukses dalam novel Memoirs of a Geisha oleh Golden. Memoirs of a Geisha bercerita tentang kehidupan seorang geisha bernama Nitta Sayuri. Karena kemiskinan, ia dijual oleh orangtuanya ke Nitta Okiya saat ia berusia sembilan tahun. Di masa mendatang, ia menjadi salah satu geisha paling populer di Gion.

  Ada tiga permasalahan yang dirumuskan dalam skripsi ini. Pertama ialah bagaimana Sayuri digambarkan dalam novel Memoirs of a Geisha. Kedua ialah mengapa Sayuri ingin menjadi seorang geisha. Ketiga ialah bagaimana Sayuri menghadapi dilema dalam mewujudkan impiannya menjadi seorang geisha yang sukses. Untuk memecahkan tiga permasalahan di atas, diterapkan pendekatan psikologi dan sosiologis-historis, teori karakter dan penokohan, teori motivasi, teori dilema, dan informasi mengenai latar belakang sosial dari masyarakat Jepang. Metode yang digunakan dalam skripsi ini adalah studi pustaka. Ada dua sumber yang digunakan dalam skripsi ini yaitu data utama yang merupakan novel

  

Memoirs of a Geisha , dan data pendukung yang diambil dari beberapa buku

  mengenai karakter dan penokohan, motivasi manusia, dilema, dan latar belakang

    sosial masyarakat Jepang.

  Berdasarkan analisis, Sayuri digambarkan sebagai seseorang yang cerdas, kuat, pekerja keras, gigih, dan menarik. Ia mempunyai tiga motif untuk menjadi seorang geisha. Motif-motif tersebut adalah kebutuhannya untuk membebaskan diri dari Hatsumomo, kebutuhannya untuk bersatu dengan Chairman Ken Iwamura, dan kebutuhannya untuk membayar seluruh utangnya kepada Nitta Okiya dan memulai kehidupannya sendiri. Dalam mewujudkan impiannya menjadi seorang geisha yang sukses, Sayuri menghadapi dilema. Ada tiga penyebab dilema tersebut, yaitu rasa cinta Sayuri kepada Chairman Ken Iwamura, posisi Sayuri sebagai seorang geisha, dan tanggung jawab Sayuri terhadap Nitta Okiya. Sayuri mengatasi dilema tersebut dengan menjalani perannya sebagai seorang geisha dan memelihara impiannya menjadi pendamping Chairman Ken Iwamura, serta dengan merendahkan dirinya sendiri di hadapan Nobu Toshikazu.

  Keywords: dilema, impian, geisha

   

  

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I praise my Lord Jesus Christ for all of His Love and Blessings. I thank Him for staying by my side, protecting me in any situation and guiding me in my study so that I was finally able to finish this thesis. My deepest gratitude goes to my beloved father and mother, Bapak Marcus and Ibu Triningsih, who have given me their never-ending affection and prayer to support me through the life. I would like to thank my little sister, Nia, for her encouragement and support.

  I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Drs. L. Bambang Hendarto Y., M.Hum., who has guided me patiently in the process of writing this thesis. I thank him for his patience, advices, and time for consultation on this thesis until it was done. My gratitude also goes to Sanata Dharma University that has given me place and facilities to study, to all my lecturers, and the administrative staff of English Language Education Study Program who have devoted themselves to help me during my study in Sanata Dharma University.

  I thank Puput, Susan, Riris, Nono’, Sari, Vita, Dewi, and Satrio for the discussions and supports. My thankfulness also goes to my best friend Yosti for everything we have been shared and for the wonderful friendship. Last but not least, I would like to thank all people that I cannot mention one by one, for giving supports, helps and strength in finishing my thesis.

  Rizki Sakti Eka Putri  

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  TITLE PAGE .................................................................................................. i APPROVAL PAGES ...................................................................................... ii STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY ............................................... iv

  PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI ………………………... .......... v

  PAGE OF DEDICATION ............................................................................... vi ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………. .... vii

  

ABSTRAK ………………………………………………………………… ..... viii

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................ ix TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................ x CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................

  1 1.1 Background of the Study ...........................................................................

  1 1.2 Objectives of the Study ..............................................................................

  4 1.3 Problem Formulation ................................................................................

  4 1.4 Benefits of the Study ..................................................................................

  5 1.5 Definition of Terms ...................................................................................

  5 CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ..........................

  9 2.1 Review of Related Theories .......................................................................

  9 2.1.1 Character ...........................................................................................

  9 2.1.2 Characterization ................................................................................

  10 2.1.3 Critical Approaches ...........................................................................

  11 2.1.4 Dilemma ............................................................................................

  12 2.1.5 Motivation .........................................................................................

  14 2.1.6 Human Basic Needs ..........................................................................

  16 2.2 Social Background of Japanese Society .....................................................

  18 2.2.1 Historical Background of Geisha ......................................................

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  xi 2.2.1.1 Development of Geisha .........................................................

  29 4.1.1 Smart ................................................................................................

  4.2.3 The Need to Pay All Her Debts to Nitta Okiya and Start Her Own Life...................................................................................................

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  41 4.2.2 The Need to be Together with Chairman Ken Iwamura ..................

  40 4.2.1 The Need to Get Free from Hatsumomo ..........................................

  38 4.2 Sayuri’s Motivation in Becoming a Geisha ...............................................

  37 4.1.6 Attractive ..........................................................................................

  35 4.1.5 Persistent ..........................................................................................

  34 4.1.4 Hard Working...................................................................................

  33 4.1.3 Tough ...............................................................................................

  30 4.1.2 Loving ..............................................................................................

  29 4.1 The Description of Sayuri ..........................................................................

  18 2.2.1.2 The Position of Geisha in Japanese Society ..........................

  27 CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS .............................................................................

  27 3.3 Method of the Study ..................................................................................

  26 3.2 Approach of the Study ..............................................................................

  26 3.1 Object of the Study ...................................................................................

  24 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY ................................................................

  22 2.4 Theoretical Framework ..............................................................................

  22 2.3 Review of Related Studies .........................................................................

  21 2.2.2.3 In Modern Era .......................................................................

  21 2.2.2.2 Meiji Era ...............................................................................

  21 2.2.2.1 Before Meiji Era ....................................................................

  20 2.2.2 Japanese Culture ...............................................................................

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  xii 4.3 Dilemma in Sayuri’s Life ...........................................................................

  65 5.3 Suggestions ...............................................................................................

  75 APPENDIX D Pictures of Geisha ...................................................................

  73 APPENDIX C Pictures of Arthur Golden ........................................................

  71 APPENDIX B Biography of Arthur Golden ...................................................

  70 APPENDIX A Summary of the Novel ...........................................................

  68 APPENDICES .............................................................................................

  66 REFERENCES ..............................................................................................

  63 5.2 Implications ................................................................................................

  48 4.3.1 The Causes of Sayuri’s Dilemma ......................................................

  60 CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS, IMPLICATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS 63 5.1 Conclusions ................................................................................................

  59 4.3.2.2 Humiliating Herself in front of Nobu Toshikazu .................

  57 4.3.2.1 Having Her Role as a Geisha ...............................................

  55 4.3.2 The Ways of Facing the Dilemma ....................................................

  53 4.3.1.3 Sayuri’s Responsibility for Nitta Okiya ...............................

  51 4.3.1.2 Sayuri’s Position as Geisha ..................................................

  51 4.3.1.1 Sayuri’s Love for Chairman Ken Iwamura ..........................

  76 APPENDIX E Lesson Plan for Teaching Structure…………………………… 77 APPENDIX F Material for Teaching Structure…………………………………. 79

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION This chapter consists of background of the study, objectives of the study,

  problem formulation, benefits of the study, and definition of terms. The background of the study presents a description of the topic and the reasons for the selection of the topic. In this section the writer will try to convince the readers why the study is worth conducting. The objectives of the study section states the purpose of the study. The problem formulation generally describes the problems that are going to be discussed in this study. The benefits of the study section gives explanation of the advantages of this study and those who can get the benefits from this study. The definition of terms explains about the terms that are used in this study.

1.1 Background of the Study

  Japan is a country in Asia where the people still have high appreciation to the culture. Japan is identical to kimono, sakura flower, samurai, origami, traditional belief like Shinto, and many cultures that become special characteristics of Japanese culture. Although Japan is a country that has become one of the most powerful countries in the world and has experienced modernization in many aspects, the Japanese still idolize the traditional culture of their ancestor. It makes the old tradition still alive until now.

  Japan is also a country in Asia in which the Eastern and Western culture components exist together in Japanese life and thought. Richard Storry (1963) states in his book A History of Modern Japan that, “In Japan, as in Great Britain, old and new exist together, are indeed intertwined: but so are East and West” (p.

  13). People in Japan apply Western ideas or thoughts in their daily life, but there are some changes in the ideas or thought. The combination between Western thought and Japan traditional culture create a unique Japanese life. Some people call Japan as a “semi-Western” country seeing the unification of those two cultures.

  One of the distinctive features of Japan is the existence of geisha. The term ‘geisha’ comes from the word ‘gei’ that means ‘art’. Geisha is an artist who plays shamisen, singing, dancing, or attending a tea ceremony with her clients in a teahouse. The existence of geisha began by the development of teahouses and Okiya (a house in which the geisha lives) in the late 1800s (“Geisha”, 2001). This profession gave opportunity to girls from poor families to change their destiny.

  Historically, an okiya usually took the girls from poor families to become geisha and later became okiya’s source of money. For decades the number of geisha had grown rapidly until the beginning of World War II in which all okiyas were closed. During World War II, some geisha did not play shamisen and dance in a teahouse anymore, but they became prostitutes who “served” American soldiers. It made some people consider geisha as prostitutes. In recent years, the number of geisha is decreasing because of the changes of the people’s lifestyle.

  Memoirs of a Geisha is one example of work of literature that portrays

  the issues about the development of Japan civilization and the growth of a certain profession called geisha. Novel as one of the works of literature, in this case

  

Memoirs of a Geisha , gives a picture of Japanese life and culture. It reflects the

  development of Japanese civilization by the illustration of the society, belief and tradition.

  Memoirs of a Geisha tells about the life of a geisha named Nitta Sayuri.

  Because of poverty, she and her sister, Satsu, are sold by her parents Gion when she was nine years old. Her childhood name is Chiyo. Her name is changed when she begins to work as a geisha. Young Chiyo lives in an okiya and works as a servant while her sister, Satsu, is sold to a brothel. Chiyo tries to escape from the okiya and plans to go back to her house in Yoroido with her sister, Satsu. Unfortunately, Chiyo gets an accident and she cannot escape from the okiya. Then she works as a servant to pay all of her debt.

  One day when Chiyo cries in the street, she meets with Chairman Ken Iwamura, a man who makes Chiyo promises to herself to become a geisha. By becoming a geisha, Chiyo hopes that someday she can be a part of Chairman’s life. Early in her teenage years, Chiyo is taken by Mameha, a famous geisha to be trained as a geisha. By the guidance of Mameha, Chiyo become Sayuri, the most famous geisha in Gion. Sayuri has to compete with Hatsumomo, the senior geisha and Pumpkin, her friend. Hatsumomo and Pumpkin live in the same okiya with Sayuri. Working as a geisha, Sayuri is reunited with the Chairman, but, unfortunately, she has to entertain another man named Nobu to become her patron (danna). Sayuri faces a dilemma whether realizing her dream to become a part of Chairman’s life or realizing her dream to become a successful geisha by having a patron (danna) who will support her life. When World War II happens, Sayuri moves to different town and lives in Nobu’s friend’s house. When the war ends, Nobu asks Sayuri to return to Gion and entertain a man named Sato Noritaka. He is a Deputy Minister of Finance who can help Nobu and Chairman rebuild their company. In an entertainment gathering, Sayuri meets with the Chairman. She makes a plan to end Nobu’s affection by humiliating herself with Mr. Sato Noritaka so that she will free from Nobu. Unfortunately, she is humiliated in front of the Chairman by Pumpkin. Several days later, Sayuri meets the Chairman. Both of them reveal their feeling and finally Sayuri becomes the Chairman’s mistress.

  Memoirs of a Geisha gives an illustration of the interaction between

  people in Japanese society and also a picture of geisha’s life. Besides, the novel describes the dilemma faced by a geisha named Nitta Sayuri who faces a difficult choice between realizing her own happiness and realizing her dream as a successful geisha. It shows that sometimes people have to choose between two things or more that equally important for them. It is called a dilemma and becomes the topic of this study.

  1.2 Objectives of the Study This study is aimed at finding out why Sayuri wants to become a geisha.

  It also attempts to study about Sayuri’s dilemma in realizing her dream of becoming a successful geisha and how Sayuri faces the dilemma. Through the dilemma that is faced by the main character, Sayuri, Golden tells the readers that a geisha sometimes has no authorithy on her own life.

  1.3 Problem Formulation

  There are three problems that will be discussed in this study:

  1. How is Sayuri described in Memoirs of a Geisha?

  2. Why does Sayuri want to become a geisha in Memoirs of a Geisha?

  3. How does Sayuri face a dilemma in realizing her dream of becoming a “successful geisha” in Memoirs of a Geisha?

  1.4 Benefits of the Study

  Through this study, the readers will be able to understand more about the life of geisha. Many people see a geisha as a prostitute who has no skill and only sells her body to get money. On the contrary, geisha can be assumed as “living artwork”. A geisha entertains a man in a teahouse by dancing, playing a shamisen (a three stringed music instrument similar to guitar, people called it “Japan guitar”), or having conversation with the man. This study also provides information about the roles of geisha in society and how geisha live their life. By analyzing Memoirs of a Geisha, the writer gets a picture on geisha’s life and how they struggle for their life. Through the main character, Sayuri, the writer gets many lessons of life. Sayuri’s struggle inspires the writer to view life as a struggle for every person who lives it. For English Language Education Study Program students, this study can be one of the sources to conduct a further study on

  Memoirs of a Geisha .

  1.5 Definition of Terms

  There are several terms that will be explained in this part. They are dilemma, dream, geisha, okiya and danna. These terms need to be elaborated in order to avoid misunderstanding and misinterpretation.

  1.5.1 Dilemma

  The first term is dilemma. In his book Psychology and The Human

  

Dilemma , May (1979) states, “the human dilemma is that which arises out of a

man’s capacity to experience himself as both subject and object at the same time.

  Both are necessary- for the science of psychology, for therapy, and for gratifying living” (p. 8). Everyone has once experienced dilemma in life. Psychologically, it is described as a condition when a man experiences himself as both subject and object at the same time. In this study, the main character, Sayuri, faces a dilemma consisting of two things that are equally important to her. The first one is about her dream to get happiness in her life by loving somebody who becomes her true love, while the other is about her roles as a geisha in which she has to entertain a certain man in order to realize her dream to become a successful geisha.

  1.5.2 Dream

  The second term is dream. In the novel, Sayuri wants to become a part of the chairman’s life, as she wished at the first time she met the chairman. Besides, she has a dream to become a successful geisha in order to create a good living for her in the future, as Anatole France states, “to accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe” (France, n.d.). Dream is only dream if people do not have a will to realize it. People must have determination to bring the dream into reality. Anais Nin states, “dreams pass into the reality of action. From the action stems the dream again; and this interpendence produces the highest form of living” (Nin, n.d.). Sayuri has to struggle to become a geisha. She has to pass a special education which is very hard and face the competition among geisha in Kyoto, a district in Japan that is famous with the geisha and teahouses.

  1.5.3 Geisha

  The third term is geisha. According to Perkins (1991), geisha means women skilled in classical dancing, singing, playing a banjo – like stringed instrument called the shamisen and doing witty conversation who entertain wealthy clients at banquets (para. 111). Geisha is defined as “woman of arts”. A geisha entertains her consumer by her special skills that she has learned in a geisha school, like dancing or playing shamisen. “Occasionally, a geisha may choose to take a danna (an old fashioned word for husband), which is typically a wealthy man who has the means to support a geisha mistress” (“Geisha”,   2001). A geisha will be called “a successful geisha” if she has already a danna who supports her life. In this study, the main character, Sayuri, is a geisha who is skilful in dancing, singing, playing shamisen, and doing witty conversation with the clients.

  1.5.4 Okiya

  The fourth term is okiya. Melissa Rose Chasse states that an okiya is like a boarding house where apprentices and geisha live together with their okaasan, who manages their career (Chasse, 2007). An apprentice is a young geisha called maiko. A maiko would be a true geisha if she has passed mizuage ceremony.

  Sayuri, the main character of the novel, lives in the same okiya with senior geisha named Hatsumomo and her friend, Pumpkin. Although they live in the same okiya, Sayuri has to compete with Hatsumomo and Pumpkin to become the most famous geisha in Kyoto.

1.5.5 Danna

  The fifth term is danna, which shares the same understanding with husband in some terms. It is an old-fashioned word for ‘husband’. The relationship between danna and geisha has certain arrangements, mostly about finance. A man who becomes a danna has responsibility to support the geisha and her okiya financially. As the return, the man has the right to ask geisha’s companionship, includes having sex with the geisha (“Geisha”, 2001).

CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE This chapter presents a review of related literature. It is divided into

  review of related theories, social background of Japanese society, review of related studies, and theoretical framework. The first part, review of related theories, consists of theory of character, characterization, critical approaches, dilemma, motivation, and human basic needs. In social background of Japanese society, there is a review of historical background of geisha that discusses development of geisha and the position of geisha in Japanese society, and Japanese culture before Meiji era, in Meiji era, and in Modern era. Review of related studies consists of some previous studies on Golden’s Memoirs of a

  

Geisha . The last part, theoretical framework, explains why and how those theories

are applied to answer the problems.

2.1 Review of Related Theories

  This part discusses about the theories that are used to answer the problems, those are: character, characterization, critical approaches, dilemma, motivation, and human basic needs.

2.1.1 Character

  Character is one of the most important aspects in the novel. According to Henkle (1977), there are two factors that are used to determine the type of characters in a novel. They are complexity of the character’s traits and the amount of the attention given in a story. Based on those two factors, character can be divided into two types. They are major character and minor or secondary character. Major character is a character with complex traits. The character gets full attention in the story; it makes the character as the most significant figure compared to other characters. Minor or secondary character is a character with simple traits. Generally, minor or secondary character is less important and less complex than major character (para. 87-101).

  According to Forster (1974), character can also be divided into flat and round character. Flat character is easily recognized, “they are constructed round a single idea or quality” (p. 47). They change only a little part from the beginning to the end of the story. On the other hand, round character is more complex than flat character. It is more dynamic and changeable. The action of the character is unpredictable (para. 47).

2.1.2 Characterization

  According to Murphy (1972), there are nine techniques to describe the character’s traits in literary work. The following are nine techniques that the author can employ in characterizing characters.

  The first technique is by personal description. The author directly and accurately describes a character’s physical appearance related to the shape of the face and body, skin, eyes and hair colors, weight, height, and the way of dressing (para. 161). The second is by seeing from other characters. The author describes a character through other characters’ point of view (para. 162). The third is by speech. In this technique, the author gives the readers clues about a character’s traits through the character’s speech. Whenever the character puts forward an opinion, says something or has conversation with other characters, he gives the readers some clues to his character (para. 164). The fourth is by exploring the character’s past life. The picture of the character’s past life can be learned to help the readers figure out the character’s traits at the present time (para. 166). The fifth is by seeing from conversation of others. The author describes a character through conversation of other characters in the novel (para. 167). The sixth is by reaction. A character’s traits can be described through the character’s reactions to various situations and events (para. 168). The seventh technique is by direct comments. The author of the novel acts as a narrator and gives direct descriptions or comments about the character (para. 170). The eighth is by thought. The author gives the readers direct knowledge of what the character is thinking about (para. 171). The last technique is by seeing one’s mannerism. The readers get clues about a character through the character’s habits, mannerism, or attitudes (para.

  173).

2.1.3 Critical Approaches

  Rohrberger and Woods Jr. (1971) present five approaches that can be used to analyse the novel, namely the formalistic approach, the biographical approach, the socio-cultural historical approach, the mythopoeic approach, and the psychological approach (para. 6-15). The first approach is formalistic approach. The focus of this approach is on the literary object and the esthetic value of the novel. This approach is concerned with demonstrating the harmonious involvement of all the parts to the whole and with pointing out how meaning is derived from structure and how matters of technique determine structure (para. 6- 7). The second approach is the biographical approach. This approach aims to consider the author’s life, personality, and ideas as the major elements in the author’s work. Critics try to learn as much as they can about the life and development of the author and apply this knowledge in their attempt to understand his writing (para. 8-9). The third is the socio-cultural historical approach. There are two factors that are presented in this approach. Firstly, accuracy in the presentation of historical facts is of value to the historian, but not necessarily to the author. Secondly, a work of literature might have historical significance, but not necessarily literary significance (para. 9-11). The fourth approach is the mythopoeic approach. The focus of this approach is to discover certain universally recurrent patterns of human thought which is believed exist in significant works of arts (para. 11-13). The last approach that Rohrberger and Woods Jr. present is the psychological approach. The main concern of this approach is to identify any aspects of psychology that underlie a certain element of literary works. This approach can be used to understand the character’s behavior and thought. In applying this approach, we must be careful not to take the part for the whole and reduce a piece of literature to a mere statement of a behavior pattern (para. 13-15).

2.1.4 Dilemma

  Dilemma is a condition where a person is facing two things that are equally important for him. A dilemma happens when a person has to choose only one thing between those two things. May (1979) states, “the human dilemma is that which arises out of a man’s capacity to experience himself as both subject and object at the same time. Both are necessary- for the science of psychology, for therapy, and for gratifying living” (p. 8). Everyone has once experienced a dilemma in life. When a person has to choose one thing between two things that are essential, it will be very difficult for him to decide when he needs both things.

  According to May (1979), a person has two roles in life, as subject and as object of life. When a person becomes a subject of life, the sentences hinge on verbs as want, wish, and feel, while when a man is an object of life, the verbs are have and must (para. 7). It means that when someone is in a subject position, he has a right to express what he feels and to accomplish what he wants in life while when he is in the object position, he has a duty that he has to do or he must do.

  This duty is related to the society or environment where he lives. For a person, being subject and being object of life are two things that are very different.

  Furthermore, Nichbur describes human dilemma “as arising from the fact that human experience combines both “nature” and “spirit”, and man functions in both these dimensions simultaneously” (as cited in May, p. 11). Every person was born as an infant and experiences the same steps of growth, from the time he was born until he grows up as an adult. It is called human nature; a person has a position as an object of life. It is human’s fate to be born as an infant, to grow up, and to be raised up by his parents or family.

  Besides human nature, a person’s life also depends on the spirit he has. In this case, a person is a subject of life. Every person has a right to express what he feels or wants. By having this spirit, a person can accomplish what he wishes and reach his dream in life. The spirit as subject of life will influence the way someone acts, works, or communicates in the society or environment. Human dilemma arises when a person is forced to act only as subject or object of life.

  Furthermore, it is described by Portmann that, “… though man is tied to his natural environment in an infinite number of ways on the one hand, he is able on the other hand to exercise freedom of movement with relation to this environment “ (as cited in May, p. 11). This quotation explains why dilemma happens in human’s life, as in Sayuri’s life in Memoirs of a Geisha.

2.1.5 Motivation

  This part concerns the theory of motivation that explains the definition of motivation from the psychologists. Beck (1978) states that, “…organisms approach goals, or engage in activities that are expected to have desirable outcomes, and avoid activities that are expected to have unpleasant or aversive outcomes” (p. 25). It means that motivation is related to goals that are expected to be achieved. As an example, a person gets motivated when he wants to pursue his dream to be a successful entrepreneur.

  People tend to do activities that will be beneficial for them, and will avoid doing activities that will not bring any results for them. According to Petri (1981), motivation is a concept that people use to describe the forces acting on or within an organism to initiate and direct behavior. This concept of motivation is used to indicate the direction of people’s behavior (para. 3-4). If someone is hungry, he will look for a restaurant to get food, while if someone is sleepy he will directly go to bed to get some sleep. Petri (1981) states,”…the basic motives of all humans is to become as personally fulfilled as we can” (p. 4). From this quotation, it can be concluded that motivation is closely related to people’s needs fulfillment. People get motivated to fulfill all their needs, from physiological needs until self-actualization needs.

  Bootzin et al. (1993) say that a “motive” is a force power of behavior where it is conducted by some purposes that lead to a special goal or to satisfaction of needs. The process of the motive is known as motivation (para. 367). This concept of motivation is almost the same as the concept of motivation that is proposed by Petri. In other words, motivation is a force power that causes someone to do something. The force power arises since a person has a goal to be achieved. According to Beck (1978), motivation is “broadly concerned with the contemporary determinants of choice (direction), persistence, and vigor of goal- directed behavior” (p. 24). Beck explains that motivation is a determinant that causes a person to do something based on the goal to achieve.

  Another definition of motivation is given by Morris. Morris (1990) states that motivation is “a specific need, desire, or want such as hunger, thirst, or achievement, that energizes and direct goal-oriented behavior” (p. 408). It can be stated that motivation causes a person do something as his specific need, desire, or want in order to achieve his goal.

  Besides motivation has a role as determinant of choices, it is also defined as a specific desire. Kalish (1973) explains that motivated behavior is a behavior that is triggered by a need. A need indicates that there is a lack of satisfaction and it makes a person do something to get the satisfaction. As an example, a need for food indicates that a person feels a lack of food, and it causes hunger-motivated behavior. Motivation is strong enough to activate a kind of behavior known as goal-seeking behavior. This behavior begins with agitated feelings which lead to direct behavior that satisfy the needs. Motivation and needs are concepts, not things. They cannot be seen or heard or touched; they must be inferred or assumed (para. 29-30).

2.1.6 Human Basic Needs

  According to Maslow (1954), a man is motivated by a series of basic needs. Furthermore, he explains that human motivation is presented in a need- hierarchy. They are physiological needs, safety needs, belongingness and love needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs (para. 38-42). If those basic needs are satisfied, he moves toward the level of the higher needs and become motivated by them (para. 47). It can be concluded that human motivation is based on human needs.

  The first needs are physiological needs. The physiological needs are the most basic needs of human’s life. Therefore, physiological needs are also called as physiological drives. It consists of the needs for food, liquid, shelter, sex, sleep, and oxygen. When someone is lacking of food, love, or shelter; he is absolutely going to demand food first and he will ignore the other needs until the need for food is fulfilled. Maslow states that in order to survive in life, the needs that human should fulfill first is the physiological needs (para. 38).

  The second needs are safety needs. Safety needs deal with human’s needs of feeling secure, stable, independent, protected, free from fear, anxiety, and chaos. People fulfill safety needs after physiological needs are satisfied. Maslow states that a person needs security and protection from anything that is considered as being harmful. He also needs a peaceful society, familiar surrounding, secure jobs, and some of the evidence of the needs for safety (para. 39).

  The third human basic needs are belongingness and love needs. According to Maslow, the belongingness and love needs emerge when physiological and safety needs have been fulfilled. The need for affection and belongingness is very important since a person cannot live alone without family, friends, or colleagues. It is very sad that a person cannot feel affection from others. Therefore, every person needs other people to love and to be loved by others (para. 40).

  The fourth needs are esteem needs. Esteem needs deal with self-respect and esteem of others. Self-respect involves self-confidence, competency, control, sufficiency, achievement, independence, and freedom. Meanwhile, esteem of others involves prestige, position, good reputation, and appreciation. Maslow states that the esteem needs can be dominant when the first three classes of needs have been fulfilled. If a person can achieve esteem needs, he will get self- confidence and feels valuable as a person. Unfortunately, if these esteem needs are not fulfilled, the person will feel inferior, weak, helpless and worthless (para.

  42).

  The last human basic needs are self-actualization needs. According to Maslow, the self-actualization needs emerge after all of the foregoing needs are satisfied. Self-actualization needs are a person’s needs to be and to do what “he was born to do”. It means that what people can be, they must be. As an example, a musician write songs, a novelist writes a novel, or a painter paints. Self- actualization needs are also the identification of the psychological needs for growth, development, and utilization of knowing a person’s desire. However, when it comes to self-actualization needs, it is not always clear what actually a person wants in life (para. 42).

  All the basic needs mentioned above are important but it depends on each person on how he or she is able to fulfill it. Each person will experience a different process in fulfilling their needs and those needs may appear not as described. Maslow states that the process of needs may not work based on the theory since most people have been able to fulfill most of their basic needs. Nowadays, a lot of people choose to find a secure job first in order to fulfill their basic needs such as food and shelter. It can be assumed that we cannot guarantee that the physiological needs will appear first.

2.2 Social Background of Japanese Society

  This section concerns the social background of Japanese society. It presents historical background of geisha that discusses about development and the position of geisha in Japanese society and Japanese culture that consists of Japanese culture before the Meiji era, in Meiji era, and in Modern era.

2.2.1 Historical Background of Geisha

2.2.1.1 Development of Geisha

  The development of geisha is closely connected to the introduction of

shamishen , the instrument that is played by a geisha when entertaining the clients.

  Graham-Diaz states that the shamisen began to be popular in Japan since the Eiroku era (“History of the Geisha, Part One: 1100 AD-1750 AD”, 2001). Saisho and Seidensticker (1957) state, “the geisha is literally a person of pleasing accomplishments and is instructed solely to be that” (p. 5). They state that geisha’s training gives them skill in dancing and singing that will help them to love and respect the aesthetics of Japanese culture.