Realism

Often times in literature the style of realism is used. When realism is used it focuses on characters instead of setting and plot. Characterization in this manner can make the characters vivid and realistic to the reader.

One character that was portrayed realistically to me was Sayuri from Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. Golden developed this character beautifully. He gave her a heart and soul. You could feel her struggle as if you struggled with her. For example, when Sayuri first started her rounds through the local teahouses, Hatsumomo became jealous of her because she was more beautiful than her apprentice Pumpkin. In turn, Hatsumomo spreads rumors about Sayuri, making her unwanted at local teahouses. Sayuri was crushed and scared at what her future might hold considering that she couldn't entertain in town anymore. Her reaction was genuine and plausible because everyday people would react the same to having their name slandered.

Another realistic incidence with Sayuri was when she first found out that both of her parents had died. She received a letter at the Okiya informing her that her mother had finally moved on after her struggle and that her father had died soon after. It killed Sayuri inside she was in mourning for almost a year. Especially because she couldn't find her sister, she felt incredibly alone. Her emotions were believable and touching.

Another novel, The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien also greatly represented realism in its characters. There are many characters within this novel that were described realistically. However, one in particular that stayed with me was Norman Bowker. His story after the war is a sad one and it touches me deeply. Norman Bowker suffered during the war. He lost his good friend Kiowa and blamed himself for his death. After he returned home he tried many times to get on his feet and do something. He tried enrolling in a junior college in his hometown, but he couldn't do the work. To him all of the schoolwork was useless, empty, and unreal. In his mind these books, tables, and charts were not reality; they couldn't be anymore. He then moved on to getting a part time job at the local A&W fast food joint. That didn't work out either. As a matter of fact he worked job after job without being able to keep any of them. He got into the habit of