First time Quote by Arthur Golden
““Now she took a close look at me for the first time, puffing on her pipe while the old woman beside her sighed. I didnt feel I could look at Mother directly, but I had the impression of smoke seeping out of her face like steam from a crack in the earth. I was so curious about her that my eyes took on a life of their own and began to dart about. The more I saw of her, the more fascinated I became. Her kimono was yellow, with willowy branches bearing lovely green and orange leaves; it was made of silk gauze as delicate as a spiders web. Her obi was every bit as astonishing to me. It was a lovely gauzy texture too, but heavier-looking, in russet and brown with gold threads woven through. The more I looked at her clothing, the less I was aware of standing there in that dirt corridor, or of wondering what had become of my sister and my mother and father and what would become of me.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, 1997
The narrator is captivated by a woman's intricate clothing, losing awareness of surroundings and personal concerns.
In simple terms: She is fascinated by her attire, ignoring the setting.
Key Takeaway
Notice how detail can shift focus from anxiety.
Themes
observation
detail
distraction
Mood
curious
reflective
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- museum visits
- fashion design
- travel immersion
- artistic study
Key Concepts
aesthetic appreciation
cultural symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What details draw your attention away from discomfort?
- How does visual beauty affect emotional awareness?
A Different Perspective
The vivid description may romanticize hardship, overlooking deeper suffering.
