"This character's entirely invented, and the woman that I interviewed wouldn't recognize herself, or really anything about herself, in this book, which she hasn't read, because she doesn't read English"
About this Quote
Arthur Golden's declaration in this quote offers a fascinating insight into the innovative process behind character development in literature. Golden is acknowledging the intricate dance between reality and fiction that authors often participate in when crafting their narratives. This admission reflects the idea that while real-life inspirations might spark the creation of characters, the resulting fictional personalities take on completely independent lives, different from their real-world equivalents.
The phrase "completely invented" highlights the imaginative autonomy and creative license Golden exercised in developing his character. It recommends that, although a genuine person may have at first influenced his ideas or concepts, the character in his book is not a literary mirror of this person but rather a wholly original production. This exposes the more comprehensive theme in literature of changing lived experiences, observations, and historical figures into entities that serve a narrative's particular artistic and thematic needs.
Golden's mention of interviewing a female who "wouldn't recognize herself" suggests that he drew some initial details or inspiration from reality, utilizing them as a springboard to build a character that deviates significantly from the source product. This highlights a necessary element of storytelling: the author's intent to go beyond the restrictions of reality to explore more comprehensive themes, feelings, and human conditions. He explicitly notes that she "hasn't check out" the book "because she does not check out English", which shows an additional layer of separation. The language barrier ensures that she remains disconnected from the textual representation of a character that may have been initially triggered by their interaction. This functions as a secure, maintaining the fictional world from excessive real-world impact and judgment.
Ultimately, Golden's quote talks to the universal innovative tension between honoring the genuine or recognized elements of inspiration and welcoming the boundless possibilities intrinsic in fiction. It is a testament to the transformative power of art-- the ability to obtain from life yet produce something totally brand-new, enabling both authors and readers to check out the depth and breadth of human experience.