The discussion about present-century English literature remains incomplete without Somerset Maugham. As an eminent short-story writer, novelist, and playwright, Maugham has always appeared as an indisputable genius. His words exhibit his inexhaustible creativity. His creative urge with brilliance and literary mastery can be visible in story contents and writing styles.
The famous short story The Lotus Eater is a true example of his mastery of English literature. The content of the said impressive short story uncovers the literary genius of Somerset Maugham in more ways than one. The theme of the story is undoubtedly somewhat unconventional and simultaneously appealing.
Maugham’s stories display a captivating writing style with lucid expression prowess:
Maugham’s stories unlock fascinating yet nothing theatrically thrilling writing style with lucid and straightforward expression through accurate words. Most of his novels and short stories contain average characters and simple facts. A blend of self-experience and excellent thought process reveals his perfection in presenting an attractive tale. Maugham’s magnificent technique as a story-teller shows how to establish an incident into a beautiful fact.
In The Lotus Eaters, we can quickly discover that Somerset Maugham’s mastery possesses a good inventive power. This promising ability shows how commonplace characters and simple incidents can make a beautiful story.
Somerset Maugham is a master at sketching the tale of a commonplace fellow in a specific way that makes readers very curious:
Most of the eminent writers in present-century English literature are famous for sketching extraordinary characters. However, in a short story like The Lotus Eater, Maugham describes the story of a pretty commonplace fellow. And this character constructs a beautiful story with his zest for a smooth life. The best part is the said zest is somewhat strange but curious to the readers.
Somerset Maugham is one of those incredibly skilled first short story writers of the present century English literature with an extraordinary character drawing skill. He can draw a commonplace character attractively and fascinatingly. His mastery in drawing a character becomes a good choice of much interest. Maugham shows in his writings how he exploits certain situations to build a compelling plot of massive human interest.
The eminent English writer is famous for following a simple narrative method to make his writings always appealing to readers:
Most of his creations involve a simple narrative method. Readers can’t find any abstruse or abstract matter in his writings. He prefers to state everything clearly as part of his unmatchable brilliance in expression. And it is one big reason why his stories always prove effortlessly appealing.
In his The Lotus Eater, Maugham narrates the story lucidly. He depicts the whole plot in such an incomparable, unique way that it seems he is recounting or narrating an actual incident. Somerset Maugham narrates how the main character of the said story, Thomas Wilson, chooses to quit his job and leave the financial security to spend the rest of his life in the lap of nature. And he makes this decision only to enjoy absolute pleasure and leisure alone. It is undoubtedly true that it is the embodiment of brevity in the narrative technique. In a word, the impact of singleness in a person like Wilson leaves a signature mark on an excellent short story. Some say that the way Somerset Maugham narrates the story testifies to his unique skill as a bold author of a beautiful short story.
Maugham is one of those very few authors who possesses the mastery of rare trenchant observation while narrating his words in his writings:
Trenchant observation is another signature style of Somerset Maugham. His narrative writing style doesn’t appear as merely precise and plain. Sometimes, he becomes very much pointed as per the plot requirement. In The Lotus Eaters, Maugham pointed out how many ordinary people have no choice but to lead the life circumstances usually thrust upon them. As the narrator, Somerset Maugham compares ordinary people’s lives with the tram-cars that travel “forever on the selfsame rails.”
Moreover, these cars play the same roles until they become inactive and “sold as scrap iron.” In a word, the author has pointed out the helplessness of most people who have no choice but to surrender to the situations in which they are left.
Creating appealing expressions with a conversational tone is another remarkable literary style that is visible in most of the creations of the famous English author:
Appealing expression, mingled with remarkable irony, produces the aroma of an astonishing literary style in Maugham’s writing. Also, this matchless literary style brings a conversational tone to his prose. His words are so conversational that readers perceive it as if the author, Somerset Maugham, himself is speaking.
Maugham’s writing bears a spontaneous, solid appeal. Readers identify it as uniquely flexible and apt with an impressive touch of mastery. The narrative technique and originality in the content selection made the writings of Somerset Maugham so remarkable.