The Alien Corn (Masterplots II: Short Story Series, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: W. Somerset Maugham
- First Published: 1931
- Type of Plot: Realism
- Time of Work: The early 1920's
- Setting: London and Sussex, England, and Munich, Germany
- Principal Characters: Ferdy Rabenstein, George Bland, Sir Adolphus (Freddy) Bland, Muriel (Miriam) Bland, Lady Hannah Bland, Lea Makart
- Genres: Realism, Short fiction
- Subjects: Family or family life, Alienation, Jews or Jewish life, Death or dying, Ambition, Pianos or pianists
- Locales: London, England, Munich, Germany, Sussex, England
The Story
The narrator, a successful middle-aged novelist, tells the story from his point of view in episodes that span about three years. He reminisces about his long-standing acquaintance with Ferdy Rabenstein, a cultured and affluent Jewish bachelor of London who moves in the best social circles. From Ferdy, the narrator learns that the Blands, who have invited him to Tilby, their estate in Sussex, are Ferdy's relatives, Sir Adolphus Bland being his nephew. Unlike Ferdy, they have concealed their Jewish identity and have led the lives of English country gentry.
...[The entire page is 1500 words long]
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