W. Somerset Maugham Criticism
W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) stands as a prominent figure in British literature, renowned for his elegant Edwardian style and incisive satirical edge. His extensive body of work, including plays, novels, and short stories, is characterized by a keen observation of societal norms and a distinct narrative style that often integrates autobiographical elements. Maugham's most acclaimed novel, Of Human Bondage, exemplifies his ability to weave personal experiences into compelling fiction, a skill that also propelled his success in the theater with works such as Caesar's Wife, The Breadwinner, and Our Betters. These plays are noted for their witty and precise depictions of upper-class life, as explored by Graham Sutton.
Maugham's narratives often feature exotic locales and surprise endings, which contributed to his widespread appeal, as discussed by John Lehmann. While his reliance on conventional plot structures, irony, and cynicism garnered criticism, these same elements ensured the readability and engagement of his stories. His play The Circle, analyzed by Martin Knelman, serves as a social comedy that contrasts with the more progressive narratives of his contemporaries, such as Ibsen, by emphasizing adherence to societal norms.
Maugham's ability to draw from real-life acquaintances for character inspiration, as noted by Cecil Roberts, added depth to his work, which earned him critical acclaim and eventual acceptance by the literary establishment. Despite critiques of his later autobiographical writings, Maugham's contributions to narrative fiction and drama solidify his position in English literature.
Moreover, Maugham adeptly incorporated his personal experiences into his narratives to explore social and gender dynamics, although his portrayals of non-European characters sometimes lacked depth, as discussed by Anthony Curtis. His works often critique Western civilization through mythological themes, especially in his portrayals of the South Seas, juxtaposing Western materialism with perceived primitive innocence, as explored by Subramani. Despite his popularity and the frequent adaptation of his works, the complexity of Maugham’s themes of cynicism, irony, and realism was often diluted for mass audiences, as noted by Robert L. Calder. Nonetheless, Maugham’s enduring legacy is marked by his probing insights into human nature and societal conventions.
Contents
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Maugham, W(illiam) Somerset (Vol. 11)
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W. Somerset Maugham
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In the following essay, Graham Sutton explores the success of W. Somerset Maugham's plays, emphasizing his journalistic flair, technical mastery, and focus on witty, upper-class characters, while noting the limitations of his work in tackling more complex or unusual dramatic themes.
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Somerset Maugham
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In the following essay, John Lehmann critiques W. Somerset Maugham's literary reputation and style, noting his widespread popularity due to his exotic settings and surprise endings while highlighting that his narratives lack profound depth and often rely on conventional plot structures enhanced by irony and cynicism.
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Maugham Dissected
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In the following essay, Cecil Roberts discusses W. Somerset Maugham's literary career, noting his contemporary appeal, use of real-life acquaintances in his characters, critical reception, and eventual acknowledgment by the literary establishment, while also critiquing his later autobiographical writings as indicative of his declining years.
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Martin Knelman
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In the following essay, Martin Knelman critiques W. Somerset Maugham's play The Circle as a blend of social comedy and problem play, suggesting it serves as a cautionary tale against abandoning societal norms for romantic escapades, echoing a conventional stance that contrasts Ibsen's A Doll's House.
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W. Somerset Maugham
(summary)
- Maugham, W(illiam) Somerset (Vol. 1)
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Maugham, W(illiam) Somerset (Vol. 15)
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The Pattern of Maugham: A Critical Portrait
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In the following essay, Anthony Curtis examines W. Somerset Maugham's literary career, highlighting his exploration of Edwardian and post-Edwardian society through novels and plays, his unique ability to integrate personal experience with narrative, and his nuanced portrayal of social and gender dynamics, although noting limitations in his depictions of non-European characters.
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The Mythical Quest: Literary Responses to the South Seas
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In the following essay, Subramani examines W. Somerset Maugham's portrayal of the South Seas, arguing that Maugham's works employ mythological themes and archetypes to critique Western civilization, juxtaposing primitive innocence against Western materialism and hypocrisies, and ultimately revealing the limitations of Polynesian settings for sustaining dramatic literary conflict.
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Somerset Maugham and the Cinema
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In the following essay, Robert L. Calder contends that despite W. Somerset Maugham's popularity and frequent adaptations of his works for film and radio, his literary themes of cynicism, irony, and realism were often sanitized for mass audiences, undermining the complexity and depth of his original narratives.
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The Pattern of Maugham: A Critical Portrait
(summary)