How do Somerset Maugham's Collected Short Stories reflect the society of his time?

One notable feature is Maugham's ability to create complex characters. His characters often face moral dilemmas, which makes the stories thought - provoking.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', it reflects the Victorian society's repression of certain aspects of human nature. The strict moral code of the time made people suppress their darker desires, which is shown through Jekyll's transformation into Hyde.

His stories often show the economic disparities. For instance, in many of his works, we can see poor characters struggling to make ends meet while the rich seem to have everything. This reflects the class divide in his time.

In 'Young Goodman Brown', the presence of the devil - like figures in the forest can be seen as a representation of the hidden temptations and the underlying moral decay that the Puritan society feared. The story shows how the strict religious upbringing of the characters was constantly at odds with the allure of the unknown and the potentially sinful. Hawthorne was using these ghostly elements to comment on the society's struggle with maintaining its moral and religious integrity.

They show the importance of family and social status. In many of his plays, the lovers' relationship is affected by their families' standing. For instance, in 'Romeo and Juliet', the Montagues and Capulets' feud is a big obstacle to their love.

Hawthorne's horror stories often reflect the Puritan society of his time. For example, in 'Young Goodman Brown', the strict religious beliefs and the hypocrisy within the Puritan community are shown. The people who seem so pious during the day are involved in what seems like devil - worship at night. It shows how the society's outward appearance of goodness may hide a lot of moral decay.

In 'Twelfth Night', the cross - dressing and the resulting confusion in love relationships can be seen as a commentary on the strict gender roles in Elizabethan society. Viola's disguise as a man allows her to navigate a world that would otherwise be closed to her as a woman, and this shows how society's norms affected love and courtship.

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 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.

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.