The best Somerset Maugham short stories often feature complex characters. His characters are usually full of contradictions, with hidden desires and motives. For example, in some stories, the main characters may seem ordinary on the surface but have extraordinary inner worlds.
One characteristic is their incisive exploration of human nature. Maugham is great at showing the good and bad sides of people. He can depict the selfishness, greed, as well as the kindness and perseverance in his short stories. Also, his stories usually have a very engaging plot. They often start with an ordinary situation and then gradually develop into something unexpected, which keeps the readers hooked from the beginning to the end.
Some of the best Somerset Maugham novels include 'Of Human Bondage'. It's a semi - autobiographical work that delves deep into the life of the protagonist, Philip Carey. His struggles with love, ambition, and self - discovery are vividly portrayed. Another great one is 'The Moon and Sixpence', which is inspired by the life of Paul Gauguin. It tells the story of an artist who abandons his comfortable life to pursue his passion for painting in a rather unconventional way.
One main theme is human nature. Maugham often delves into the good and bad aspects of people. For example, in many stories, he shows how greed can drive people's actions.
Well, the themes in Somerset Maugham short stories are numerous. There's the exploration of the human condition in general. His stories look at how people cope with life's difficulties, whether it's poverty, illness, or loneliness. Then there's the theme of fate. Maugham sometimes presents characters who seem to be at the mercy of fate, and their attempts to break free or accept it. And of course, the theme of vanity. He shows how vanity can drive people's actions and lead to their downfall.
Often, there are middle - class individuals. They could be doctors, like in some of his stories where the doctor character has to deal with moral dilemmas related to his patients.
Some of his well - known novels include 'Of Human Bondage', 'The Moon and Sixpence', 'The Razor's Edge'. But for a complete list of the 10 best, it might vary depending on different critics. However, these three are often highly regarded among his works.
One of his best is 'Up at the Villa'. It's set in Florence and involves a complex web of relationships and moral dilemmas. The story is engaging, and Maugham's writing style really brings the characters and the setting to life.
Many consider 'Of Human Bondage' to be Somerset Maugham's best novel. It's a profound exploration of human nature and relationships.
Maugham's use of setting also stands out. In stories like 'Rain', the South Pacific island setting becomes almost like a character itself, influencing the actions and moods of the characters. Also, his writing style is straightforward yet engaging, which makes his short stories easy to read but still full of depth. For example, in 'The Luncheon', the simple narrative draws you in and then hits you with the ironic twist at the end.
There are often the expatriates. These are characters who live outside their native countries, usually in some exotic location. They are often in search of something, be it adventure, love, or a new identity. Another typical character is the social climber. This type of character is obsessed with rising in the social ranks, using any means necessary.
One of the main themes is human nature. Maugham often explores the complex and sometimes dark aspects of human nature, like greed and envy. For example, in some of his stories, characters' actions are driven by their excessive desires for wealth or power. Another theme is the cultural clash. He presents the differences between Western and Eastern cultures, especially through the experiences of his characters who travel between different regions. Love and relationships are also common themes. He delves into different forms of love, from passionate love to more practical, arranged relationships, showing how they can both bring joy and cause great distress.