Evaluation of Novel Themes: A Complicated Kindness, Memoirs of a Geisha and Girl with a Pearl Earring

The other commonality that the three novels share is the theme of the “desire of a better future”. All three women endure emotional suffering as they struggle to release themselves from the various restraints of their societies, and use their dreams as a motivational factor.

Through their journeys the women venture off into finding the truth within a life of lies as the narrations of their lives develop. Nomi must learn the truth and the reason behind her misery and how she is supposed to move on from her mother and sister’s betrayals. She must block out the oppressive state that is her religious Mennonite community criticizing her every move. Sayuri leads a false life; the image of a glamorous Geisha masks her true identity and her treacherous past. Griet, similar to Sayuri, must hide her past to be accepted into both the Vermeer house, who still don’t accept her anyhow. She must also keep secret the painting that her master made of her wearing his wife’s earrings, or else her husband Pieter will be jealous and couldn’t look at her the same way.

Authenticity: Staying true to a vision for the sake of the vision, not for ulterior motives (propaganda, indoctrination, subversion, monetary gain)
All three authors place their protagonists in such deprived beginnings because their adventures are that much more of a thrill for the readers. The readers find themselves enjoying and appreciating each step of their journeys, and not only does it add to the entertainment value for the readers, but it also promotes the protagonists’ characters to a level beyond comparison to another main character.

Originality: Creating a story and characters from a unique perspective and not adhering to a preset formula or concept (clichéd or one dimensional characters, predictable plot, overused style and stale imagery).
Similarly to the previous post, the originality and twist ended plots prove to be a one of a kind novels. Miriam Toews, Arthur Golden and Tracy Chevalier preserve their unique visions of their original characters and plots, and stay true to their roles as creative authors.

Consistency: The story, characters and message stay true to the context of the novel and to each other. This would include believability within the context of the story.
The dreaming of a better future aspect of the novels has evidently impacted the consistency of the novel’s context. The road to the protagonists’ destinations maintains its believability and this is completely credited to the novels’ writing. Because of the authors’ dedication to keeping the novels a world in which readers get lost in, they wrote the stories of these women with sheer brilliance and devotion.

Subliminal Messages: Closely related to authenticity, subliminal messages are hidden messages that contradict the apparent theme of the novel. For example the novel is about independence, yet the female protagonist is waiting for a man to make her life complete.
The subliminal messages relating to the themes of a better future include that of determination and persistence, as well as an “it’s- okay- if- you- fail- at- first” message. Nomi struggled to preserve herself after the shock of her mother and sister’s disappearance – and turned to drugs and sex to help her heal, or rather help her deal. Miriam Toews decided it was best for Nomi to get worse before she got better because it engaged the audience to participate with the emotions of the novel. Sayuri also battled the hardships that were Hatsumomo and her endless torturing, which proved to lead to an even more recognized victory when Sayuri outdid Hatsumomo, leaving her in the dust of her success. Griet herself found the trouble of overcoming the ongoing tormenting coming from Catharina – her master’s wife. As one may realize, the path of these women’s lives were not easy or smooth, rather filled with obstacles and hidden signs that relayed to the ultimate theme.