The same piece of a string (metaphor)
The narrator uses this metaphor to show how many points of correspondence two very different people may have. This is also a very important characteristic of the protagonist. She and Auntie are compared with two pieces of the same string because of similarity of their destinies. A trauma prevents Auntie from building the successful career and Chiyo is also injured. But the difference between Auntie and Chiyo is that neither her attempt of escape, nor her trauma could stop her on her way of becoming a successful geisha. If in a case of Auntie that is the end, for Chiyo these things are just challenges.
A puff of a smoke (metaphor)
A puff of a smoke denotes things of little importance. Instead of using such words as unimportant or uninteresting, the narrator prefers a metaphoric expression. The author may choose this expression to show how much a geisha is related to art. Spending so much time practicing dances and learning poetry, some geishas become an embodiment of art. When Mameha says that a reason of Hatsumomo’s cruel attitude towards her is enormous jealousy, Sayuri can’t believe these words. She is just “a puff of a smoke”, an ordinary maiden, while Hatsumomo is a great geisha.
Heaven knows (metaphor)
It is rather difficult to foresee someone’s actions, especially if that person is devious. Sadly for Sayuri, Hatsumomo can’t stand her and is determined to ruin both Sayuri’s life and career. When Mameha and Sayri think about possible actions Hatsumomo can take, the narrator uses this metaphor to emphasize unpredictability of Hatsumomo’s actions and decisions. Those who know her well are so familiar with her cruelty and cunning that suspect something unpleasant in everything she does. It is hard to say that it is not deserved, because Hatsumomo’s cruelty is well-known fact. Bearing in mind what Hatsumomo does to drive her own sister out of Gion, Mameha says that “only Heaven knows what she can do in order to get rid of Sayuri”.
Awkward as a cripple (simile)
Trying to insult Sayuri, Hatsumomo shows her another apprentice geisha who is rather clumsy saying that ‘’she is nothing special, a bit stupid and as awkward as a cripple’’, but unlike Sayuri she has a chance to become a geisha one day. Knowing that someone who has no potential is much closer to fulfilling her dream than she is makes Sayuri feel desperate.
Like a man (simile)
When the author uses this simile, he emphasizes how important is the appearance for a geisha. Arguing with Sayuri Hatsumomo says that ‘’perhaps, one day you’ll even look like a man, just the way Auntie does’’ in order to insult her. Expensive and elaborated kimonos, make-up and a fancy hairdo of a geisha are supposed to create an image of an ideal, absolutely flawless woman. When a geisha is compared with a man, it is a big offence for her. Although Hatsumomo says it to Sayuri when she is just a maiden, it is still unpleasant and cruel.
