The Fall of Edward Somerset Maugham Barnard - Summary, Biography, Plot & Characters
Somerset Maugham, a British writer born in France, wrote "The Fall of Edward Barnard" set in Tahiti. The story follows Edward's decision to stay on the island for peace and tranquility despite leaving behind his past life. His friend, Bateman Hunter, fails to persuade him to return home, leading to a heart-wrenching conclusion with Isabel. Explore the exotic setting, character dynamics, and themes of personal fulfillment in Maugham's poignant tale.
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THE FALL OF EDWARD SOMERSET MAUGHAM BARNARD
AUTHORS BIOGRAPHY Somerset Maugham was born and died in France, but the writer was a subject of the British Crown - his parents arranged the birth in such a way that the child was born at the embassy. After the First World War, he worked in Russia with a secret mission, was in Petrograd in August-October 1917, where he was supposed to help the Provisional Government remain in power, and fled after the October Revolution. Maugham loved to travel - he preferred the exoticism of Asia and Oceania. On numerous trips, the writer collected material for his books. However, after 1948, he stopped traveling anywhere, because he considered that traveling could no longer give him anything new.
BACKGROUND TO THE STORY The Fall of Edward Barnard was published in the collection The Trembling of a Leaf: little stories of the South Sea Islands (September 17, 1921). Maugham took to the South Seas, where he visited the island of Tahiti and on which he based his novels.
VOCABULARY quixotry A wild, visionary idea effete - weak and without much power to give a wide berth to avoid a person or place culprit - one guilty of a crime or a fault on a charge of fraud accused of the crime of gaining money by lying see eye to eye - to agree with someone have a tongue of silver be good at persuading people to do things solemn - serious or sad
PLOT Two friends Edward both felt in love with Isabel engaged to Isabella. When Edward s father became broke, a friend of family offered Edward a position in an agency in Tahiti. Edward Bernard Bernard and Bateman Isabel Longstaffe Bateman Hunter Longstaffe. Edward was Hunter Isabel and Edward kept on exchanging letters until she realized that he was no longer saying when he would return. Bateman was informed that Edward had been fired from the agency a year ago. Bateman came to Tahiti Tahiti to look for his friend. Bateman found out that Edward worked as a salesman salesman at a small store. During the conversation, Bateman realized that Edward had no plans of returning to Chicago because he had found his peace in here. Finally, Bateman got back to Chicago and broke the news to Isabela. They believed that Edward was wasting away in Tahiti.
CHARACTERS Edward Barnard Edward Barnard After the financial ruin for the family, Edward is moved to take the offer from his employer to spend a year or two in Tahiti. Two years later he decided to stay on the island because he found his peace and tranquility here. He did not want city and money to ruin his soul and his life. Bateman Hunter Bateman Hunter Bateman is an old Edward s friend. He went to Tahiti to persuade Edward to give up his pointless lifestyle but he failed. Bateman is the opposite of Edward. He can t understand how someone can be happy refusing wealth, development and success.
Isabel Isabel Longstaffe Longstaffe She is a beautiful woman from a wealthy family who is engaged with Edward. She s waiting for her fiance. Just like Bateman she believes that he is wasting his life on the island. Arnold Jackson Arnold Jackson He s a brother of Isabel s mother. Arnold commits fraud and this makes him an outcast for everybody, including Bateman. In fact Edward presents him as a pleasant interesting man who helps him in Tahiti.
SITUATIONS In the beginning, Bateman went to Tahiti to find out what happened to his friend. He expressed his determination to return Edward home to a normal life, and was sincerely worried about him. But he was also in love with Isabel. Maybe he hoped in his heart that Edward would remain on the island. The episode when Eve gave Bateman a wreath to wear. He resisted this in every possible way.
QUOTES What do you value in life then? I m afraid you ll laugh at me. Beauty, truth, and goodness - Bateman/Edward He's splendid, isn't he?" "He's white, through and through." - Isabel/Bateman I had a soul till I found it here. If I had remained a rich man I might have lost it for good and all. - Edward It will profit a man little if he gain the whole world and lose his soul. - Edward
QUESTIONS How does the title reflect the meaning of the story? Why did Isabel wait for Edward from Tahiti if, as it turned out, her love was not so strong? The heroes' understanding of happiness is the opposite. It seems to me that happiness that does not lie in wealth evokes more sympathy among readers. But is the life that Edward described so wonderful?
MESSAGE AND ISSUES the problem of the relationship between man and nature the problem of a person s inability to admire the beauty around him the problem of racism and contempt for national minorities the problem of instilling one's values the problem of understanding happiness the problem of morality the problem of friendship and love the problem of prejudice against people
