HONOUR " IN SOMERSET MAUGHAM 'S A MAN OF HONOUR MAUGHAM AS A DRAMATIST

Abstract

Somerset Maugham is known mainly as a novelist . This paper presents Maugham the dramatist . Many critics have found him a promising dramatist . He has written 30 plays , then he turns his back upon the theater and writes his autobiographical and most successful novel Of Human Bondage ( 1915) .

        Maugham's writing is clear , precise , and simple . He is described as a realist who is keenly aware of human nature , its concentration and frustration . His only tragedy A Man of Honour is a play in 4 acts . This paper concentrates mainly on this play to show Maugham as a dramatist and to show his concept of " honour " .

        Jenny is uneducated and jealous , but she is sincere in her love for Basil Kent . She is a barmaid , a baby is expected that is why Basil feels obliged to marry her . Basil is a gentleman and is repelled by Jenny's vulgarity and sponging relatives. He has been already attracted by Hilda Murray , a relative of Hallowell ( Basil's friend)  and the same of Basil's class . The baby dies . Jenny becomes desperately jealous of Basil and Hilda and eventually commits suicide by drowning herself  in the Thames . Maugham surprises his reader at the end of the play . Basil quickly recovers from his grief and he decides to take life by both hands and enjoy his freedom .