Chapters 14-26).

The aim of the lesson is to teach you to see what the author uses in order to influence his readers, to learn how different kinds of description (direct and indirect), comment, dialogue work.

1. Reproduce the information, adding just 2-4 sentences to account for Maugham's popularity. (You may add them at the beginning, end, in the middle).

Maugham has remained a popular writer all over the world. His stories have been read in every civilized country. It seems that they lose little in translation. Maugham's style, though clear and fluent, is undistinguished. He rarely puts what he has to say in an individual way. Immediate comprehensibility is to be the only criterion.

2. Complete the following brief summary of the chapters as the starting point of your analysis of the author's manner of writing.

The story-teller reports to Mrs. Strickland the failure of his mission. Upon learning the reason why her husband has deserted her, Mrs. Strickland.................................. Five years later the narrator finds himself in Paris again. From his friend Dirk Stroeve, a.......................... Dutchman who............................, he learns with amazement that Strickland is a great artist. The story-teller finds Strickland (greatly changed, hardly changed):............................... Shortly before Christmas Strickland falls dangerously ill, and Stroeve insists..................................................., in spite of Blanche's vehement protest.

3. In most cases the author does not explain the dialogue as he goes along and the reader has to "listen" and judge as he would in actual conversation. But in some cases Maugham does explain dialogues.

Find a case of dialogue explanation.

a) Reproduce the piece of dialogue.

b) Say why Maugham explains it instead of giving us the opportunity to judge for ourselves.

e.g.(p.88): "I had not much to say...") - Why does Maugham retell Strickland's speech instead of reproducing it?

e.g.(p.106): "The words were ordinary enough..." - Why does the author give detailed comment?

4. Read the following questions in reference to the characters of the novel. Explain whether this or that notion can be applied to any of the characters. Prove it supporting the necessary quotations.

a) Does he view with a certain degree of tolerance the eccentricities and faults of other people? Is he broad-minded, sympathetic, inclined to see the other person's point of view? Does his taste cover a wide range? Then you should characterize him as a rather CATHOLIC person.

b) Is he inclined to give up the struggle before the battle is lost? Is he ready to admit defeat at a time when a braver and more optimistic soul would go on? Then he is a DEFEATIST.

c) Does he look with contempt (=scorn) upon others and those with an artistic temperament? Is he ignorant? prejudiced? blindly conventional? narrow-minded? Does he tend to have low tastes in life?

(a PHILISTINE).

d) Is he one of those whose main purpose in life seems to be pleasure-seeking? Does he put too high a value on the luxuries of life? Is he fond of eating and drinking? And is he an expert in the choice and foods? (he is an EPICURIAN)

e) Does he meet the tragedies of life with a stiff upper lip? Does he conceal his emotions no matter how great his mental or physical sufferings may be? (he is a STOIC).

5. Sum up Maugham's direct description of Stroeve. Is there anything in it that may suggest any further change of attitude of the author to this character?

E.g.: The author may find the character boring or...........

6. Give an indirect description of Strickland as seen:

a) by Dirk Stroeve;

b) by Blanche Stroeve.

Is there anything that may suggest a change of attitude to Strickland on the part of either the Stroeves?

7. Sum up the direct and indirect evidence to characterize the relations between:

a) Dirk and his wife;

b) the author and Strickland;

c) Dirk and Strickland.

(Concentrate on the pair, that, from your viewpoint, presents the most absorbing psychological study.)

8. Reproduce Dirk's words about beauty (p.85), and explain what he means and whether you agree with him.

9. Does the author absorb you, leave you indifferent, irritate you, intrigue you? Is it mainly due to his way of building the plot, presenting the characters, commenting upon human nature, the language he uses?

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