1: Memoirs of a Geisha 1-139

"'Do you know what you've done?' she said to me, but I couldn't answer. "What were you thinking! Well, you've ruined everything for yourself ... of all stupid things! Foolish, foolish girl!"

I'd never imagined Auntie could be so angry. She dragged me into the courtyard and threw me onto my stomach on the walkway. I began to cry in earnest now, for I knew what was coming. But this time instead of beating me halfheartedly as she had before, Auntie poured a bucket of water over my robe to make the rod sting all the more, and then struck me so hard I couldn't even draw a breath. When she was done beating me, she threw the rod onto the ground and rolled me over onto my back. "You'll never be a geisha now," she cried. "I warned you not to make a mistake like this! And now there's nothing I or anyone else can do to help you."

I heard nothing more of what she said because of the terrible screams from farther up the walkway. Granny was giving Pumpkin a beating for not having kept a better eye on me." (Golden, p.113)

Arthur Golden certainly paints a vivid picture within this excerpt from Memoirs. The rest of the book follows suit, creating a clear image of Japan with his well illustrated descriptions that bring the gorgeous patterns on the honored kimonos of the geishas, the overwhelming scent of the fish market, and the strong will of the protagonist, Chiyo Chan to life.
Though this excerpt did not paint a happy image, it is a fine piece of literature; elegantly crafted and though Golden uses simple words he evokes complex emotions. "'But this time instead of beating me halfheartedly as she had before, Auntie poured a bucket of water over my robe to make the rod sting all the more, and then struck me so hard I couldn't even draw a breath.'" shows how Chiyo's action of running away from the Geisha house has hurt Auntie deeply, and how she feels real disappointment for Chiyo's actions for the first time, versus all the other times she had to beat Chiyo for trivial things. This passage not only describes Auntie's utter disappointment and anger for Chiyo's failed future, but also for Chiyo's remorse for getting her friend, Pumpkin, in trouble for her actions. "I heard nothing more of what she said because of the terrible screams from farther up the walkway. Granny was giving Pumpkin a beating for not having kept a better eye on me."" Chiyo's guilt is overwhelming in this passage and I really enjoy the heartbreaking way Golden executed this.
Within the excerpt, Golden had also subtly included ways to express more about the characters, particularly Auntie. Golden reveals more of Auntie's character and how Auntie has formed a real connection with Chiyo, perhaps seeing Chiyo run away and fail makes Auntie feel disappointed in herself, which is why she lashes out so much at Chiyo. Auntie's high expectations of Chiyo becoming a geisha were illustrated here.