U.S. History the Razor's Edge by Sommerset Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 519 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 2

U.S. History

The Razor's Edge by Sommerset Maugham is superficially the story of Larry Darryl, a war veteran. The apparent protagonist decides to leave his family's comfortable place in Chicago "society," because of the horrors he has witnessed as a result of the war, most particularly the death of his best friend. (Maugham, The Razor's Edge, Chapter 1) However, unlike most novels of personal, spiritual quests, the focus of the author is not upon the unique, interior life of the main character. Instead, the author approaches his novel by structuring it as a series of comparisions of the main character with contrasting individuals. Unlike these characters, Larry is both of a "sweet" disposition, easily affected by the world, and also of a more questioning, indeterminate nature. (Maugham, The Razor's Edge, Chapter 1) Because of this structure, the overall novel has a highly didactic, schematic tone, almost more like an allegory than a story.

Stuck Writing Your "U.S. History the Razor's Edge by Sommerset" Term Paper?

View All Our Example U.S. History the Razor's Edge by Sommerset Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

However, because of the relevance of the societal problems highlighted by the author, it is still quite powerful.

Over the course of the novel, Maugham shows us several possible outcomes of such an unexamined life. The most notable of these are a businessman named Gray Maturin, a beauty named Isabel, a social-climber named Elliot Templeton, and a drug addict/prostitute. All of these characters offer possible career paths to the main character. Larry could have come back from the war and made money, or lived off his family name. He also, like many war veterans, could have sought oblivion in drugs. However, he does not. Maugham shows….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"U S History The Razor's Edge By Sommerset" (2002, December 03) Retrieved June 1, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/us-history-razor-edge-sommerset-140655

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"U S History The Razor's Edge By Sommerset" 03 December 2002. Web.1 June. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/us-history-razor-edge-sommerset-140655>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"U S History The Razor's Edge By Sommerset", 03 December 2002, Accessed.1 June. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/us-history-razor-edge-sommerset-140655
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example