Reviews
It seems to me......
In his short story "Rain"......
Reality is often far more......
........the mysterious city of Honolulu......
........Reality mixes with illusion......
........The tropical setting serves as a metaphor for.....
........an emotional work with deep meaning.....
........the pursuit of happiness.....
........it’s all about feelings and fears.....
........the collision of two worlds, two different perspectives on lif.....
It seems to me that the main idea of the work can be expressed as a question: can we help other people against their will and can all methods be used for the ultimate good? Another question that occurred to me while reading is whether fanaticism is a blessing or a disease. On the one hand, Davidson's unyielding and resolute image, his pure and sincere faith, arouses respect and sympathy. We see that he he sincerely wishes well to all people and wants to do everything possible for them to achieve the good in his understanding. On the other hand, his understanding may not spread on and suit all people. His approach to life is questioned by other characters in the story, and the ending seems to confirm that the missionary may be overreacting and training others rather than accompanying them on their voluntary path to faith and humility. The author does not give direct answers to the questions he poses, so each reader can make his own choice or leave the questions open.
In his short story "Rain", W. Somerset Maugham delivers a scathing critique of hypocrisy, moral absolutism, and the destructive power of repressed desires. The central conflict between free-spirited prostitute Sadie Thompson and fanatical missionary Reverend Davidson reveals several key messages. First, the story demonstrates the danger of moral tyranny: Davidson's attempts to "save" Sadie through intimidation and coercion show how self-righteousness corrupts. His fanatical faith merely masks his own hidden desires, proving that no one is immune to human weakness. Second, Maugham emphasizes the futility of suppressing natural impulses: Davidson's psychological breakdown and eventual suicide illustrate how repressed desires inevitably resurface in destructive ways.Third, the narrative challenges black-and-white morality: Sadie, whom society deems immoral, emerges as more honest and resilient than her condemners. Finally, the relentless rain serves as a metaphor for nature's indifference to human attempts to control natural urges - Davidson's death during the downpour symbolizes the collapse of his fanatical belief in dominating others' souls.Maugham's ultimate conclusion is profoundly humanistic: true morality stems not from rigid dogma but from self-awareness, empathy and tolerance. The story condemns those who weaponize virtue while celebrating those like Sadie who refuse to be broken by imposed shame. Through this powerful narrative, Maugham exposes the hypocrisy of moral absolutism and affirms the complexity of human nature.
Reality is often far more complicated than we imagine. Maugham has this incredible ability to transport you to a place, and in this case, Honolulu feels aliveThe heart of the story is Captain Butler and his relationship with a native girl. At first, it seems like a love story, but it quickly becomes clear that it’s much darker and more complicated. There’s obsession, power imbalance, and this unsettling sense that Butler doesn’t fully understand what he’s gotten himself into. The girl’s love for him feels real, but there’s also this edge of desperation and fear that makes you wonder if love is enough when two people come from such different worlds. What I loved most about Honolulu is how it challenges the reader to see beyond appearances. Maugham shows that paradise can hide danger, and love can hide betrayal. His warning about losing illusions on journeys struck me deeply—it’s a reminder that reality is often far more complicated than we imagine.
I think the main idea of the story is that expectations often do not match reality. So, the mysterious city of Honolulu is completely different from what the author imagined it to be. It is the meeting-place of East and West, where a lot of strange people live with different languages and thoughts.Captain Butler, who caused the terrible shipwreck, deserves special attention. It would seem that he should be worried about this tragedy, but in fact he cannot truly repent.The beautiful love story also turns out to be a lie. The captain's girlfriend saved him from death, killed his enemy, and then escaped from the ship with another man. Maugham warns the reader: “Those are the best journeys, the journeys that you take at your own fireside, for then you lose none of your illusions”. I am impressed by Maugham's story "Honolulu". The author managed to surprise me with an unexpected ending and prove that everything may not be what it seems at first.
It seems to me that the author's story perfectly illustrates that it is better to fantasize at home by the fireplace. The same is true for the main character, the voice-over narrator, who arrives in Honolulu seeking to obtain as much "secret" information as possible and hear unprecedented stories. Naturally, according to the laws of the genre, he stumbles upon such a story (it turns out to be the love story of Captain Butler and a Hawaiian girl, in which there is much more mysticism and fiction than real facts).Everyone drew their own moral from the captain's story, which is more like a fairy tale. For some, this is a story about the fragility of relationships, for others, the meaning lies in the power of faith and love, which can save the whole world. And for some, the story is just a beautiful and instructive shell, which in fact it should be, because the author himself emphasizes the otherworldliness of not only the action, but also the place in which the events unfold.Reality mixes with illusion. This is emphasized by the author at the very beginning of the story: the true meaning of the first sentence of Maugham's work becomes clear only at the end. It is better to mix reality and illusions in front of the fireplace than to go to the ends of the earth for this.
W. Somerset Maugham's short story "Honolulu" offers a piercing examination of colonialism and human hypocrisy. Set in the tropical paradise of Hawaii, the story strips away the façade of European superiority, revealing the moral corruption beneath. Through his characteristic irony and psychological insight, Maugham exposes how people often betray their own supposed values when removed from societal constraints.The story revolves around European expatriates—missionaries, traders, and officials—who have come to Hawaii under the guise of bringing civilization. However, their actions starkly contradict their noble claims. The missionary, who should embody moral virtue, exploits the locals instead of uplifting them. The businessman preaches integrity while engaging in shady dealings. Maugham skillfully demonstrates how the tropical environment, rather than inspiring transformation, amplifies their flaws. The heat and isolation act as a pressure cooker, forcing their true natures to the surface.A key theme is the hypocrisy of colonialism. The Europeans justify their presence as a benevolent mission, yet they display arrogance, greed, and cruelty. Maugham does not explicitly condemn them; instead, he lets their behavior speak for itself. The absence of strong Hawaiian voices in the story is notable—perhaps a deliberate choice to emphasize how colonizers ignore or erase native perspectives.The story’s strength lies in its psychological depth. Maugham does not paint his characters as outright villains but as flawed individuals trapped in self-deception. Their moral failings are universal, suggesting that anyone, when freed from societal scrutiny, might act similarly. The tropical setting serves as a metaphor for this moral exposure—just as the sun burns away mist, the story burns away pretenses.In conclusion, "Honolulu" is a masterful critique of human duplicity. Maugham’s restrained prose and sharp observations create a story that is both subtle and devastating. By exposing the gap between appearance and reality, he challenges readers to reflect on their own capacity for hypocrisy—making this short tale as relevant today as when it was written.
I think the story "The Fall of Edward Bernard" of Maugham is an emotional work with deep meaning. This is a story about true, devoted and selfless love: the main character Bateman is ready to sacrifice his happiness for the sake of his best friend and the girl he loved “not only for beauty, slim, straight and the proud carriage of her head, but still more the beauty of her soul”. In addition, Maugham touches on an important and quite complex topic about the search for the meaning of life. Bateman dreams of wealth and high status in society, so he cannot understand Edward, who left Chicago and settled in Tahiti to enjoy the beautiful nature, delicious but simple food and the company of people whom Bateman also condemns. The characters have different opinions even about their native town Chicago. For Bateman, Chicago is the best city on Earth to return to, but for Edward, it's a stone prison from which to escape. I am sure that "The Fall of Edward Bernard" is not just a story about a fall, but also a reflection about moral choices and values in our society, about being a human, because “even the best of us are sinners and the worst of us are saints”. This story leaves a lot of questions and makes you think about what is really important in life.
The main theme of the story is the pursuit of happiness, which Edward finds not in traditional social achievements such as a career and material wealth, but in deep harmony with nature and the people around him. What society perceives as his "fall" - his preference for simple existence - is in fact his "ascent" to genuine inner satisfaction. Maugham's work clearly contrasts two worlds: the cold and chilly Chicago, which represents ambition and careerism, and the warm, relaxing paradise of Tahiti, which symbolizes freedom and naturalness. This contrast emphasizes how oppressive social norms can suppress individuality and true aspirations. The characters in the story represent different values and ideals. Edward is a man who, having renounced the pressures of society, finds his own essence and self-identification. Bateman, in turn, represents traditional social values such as success, social status and material wealth. Isabelle, Edward's fiancée, meets the standards of beauty and ambition, but her feelings for Edward are initially based on his potential social success rather than an understanding of his true nature and inner world. Arnold Jackson, a former criminal who becomes Edward's mentor, demonstrates that even in the most difficult circumstances, people can change and find happiness in the most unexpected places.
This story snippet pulls you in quickly. A man named Bateman returns to Chicago carrying a secret about his friend Edward, who is engaged to Isabel. Bateman loves Isabel himself, adding a layer of tension. The story hints at a past scandal and possible trouble in Tahiti. It's a classic setup: love triangle, hidden truths, and a society ready to judge. The writing is descriptive, giving a feel for the time and place. It leaves you wanting to know what secret Bateman is hiding and how it will affect everyone involved. A good start that promises drama and difficult choices. It resembles honesty, the sense of responsibility, it’s all about feelings and fears. It shows love from different sides and asks us whether it was love and what love truly is. It resembles the values of the person initially and what values to choose. It’s all about our choices. What do we choose and why do we choose?
I think this story is about the collision of two worlds, two different perspectives on life. And although the author, drawing the story on behalf of Bateman, presents Edward's actions as a delusion, it seems to me that in fact we do not find a clear answer to the question of who is right and who is wrong in this story. In addition to the issue of differing views on life, the story raises issues of honor, duty, love, and friendship. Of course, Edward acts badly towards his friends, and it cannot be said about him that he harms only himself, because he causes suffering, for example, to his deceived bride Isabel. But as for his personal moral choice, approach to life, and choice of environment, I do not think that he can be condemned. Except for moments of deception and perjury, he is as right in his freedom and carelessness as Bateman is in his responsibility and seriousness.
Reviews
Татьяна Яблокова
Created on May 8, 2025
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Akihabara Connectors Infographic
View
Essential Infographic
View
Practical Infographic
View
Akihabara Infographic
View
Vision Board
View
The Power of Roadmap
View
Artificial Intelligence in Corporate Environments
Explore all templates
Transcript
Reviews
It seems to me......
In his short story "Rain"......
Reality is often far more......
........the mysterious city of Honolulu......
........Reality mixes with illusion......
........The tropical setting serves as a metaphor for.....
........an emotional work with deep meaning.....
........the pursuit of happiness.....
........it’s all about feelings and fears.....
........the collision of two worlds, two different perspectives on lif.....
It seems to me that the main idea of the work can be expressed as a question: can we help other people against their will and can all methods be used for the ultimate good? Another question that occurred to me while reading is whether fanaticism is a blessing or a disease. On the one hand, Davidson's unyielding and resolute image, his pure and sincere faith, arouses respect and sympathy. We see that he he sincerely wishes well to all people and wants to do everything possible for them to achieve the good in his understanding. On the other hand, his understanding may not spread on and suit all people. His approach to life is questioned by other characters in the story, and the ending seems to confirm that the missionary may be overreacting and training others rather than accompanying them on their voluntary path to faith and humility. The author does not give direct answers to the questions he poses, so each reader can make his own choice or leave the questions open.
In his short story "Rain", W. Somerset Maugham delivers a scathing critique of hypocrisy, moral absolutism, and the destructive power of repressed desires. The central conflict between free-spirited prostitute Sadie Thompson and fanatical missionary Reverend Davidson reveals several key messages. First, the story demonstrates the danger of moral tyranny: Davidson's attempts to "save" Sadie through intimidation and coercion show how self-righteousness corrupts. His fanatical faith merely masks his own hidden desires, proving that no one is immune to human weakness. Second, Maugham emphasizes the futility of suppressing natural impulses: Davidson's psychological breakdown and eventual suicide illustrate how repressed desires inevitably resurface in destructive ways.Third, the narrative challenges black-and-white morality: Sadie, whom society deems immoral, emerges as more honest and resilient than her condemners. Finally, the relentless rain serves as a metaphor for nature's indifference to human attempts to control natural urges - Davidson's death during the downpour symbolizes the collapse of his fanatical belief in dominating others' souls.Maugham's ultimate conclusion is profoundly humanistic: true morality stems not from rigid dogma but from self-awareness, empathy and tolerance. The story condemns those who weaponize virtue while celebrating those like Sadie who refuse to be broken by imposed shame. Through this powerful narrative, Maugham exposes the hypocrisy of moral absolutism and affirms the complexity of human nature.
Reality is often far more complicated than we imagine. Maugham has this incredible ability to transport you to a place, and in this case, Honolulu feels aliveThe heart of the story is Captain Butler and his relationship with a native girl. At first, it seems like a love story, but it quickly becomes clear that it’s much darker and more complicated. There’s obsession, power imbalance, and this unsettling sense that Butler doesn’t fully understand what he’s gotten himself into. The girl’s love for him feels real, but there’s also this edge of desperation and fear that makes you wonder if love is enough when two people come from such different worlds. What I loved most about Honolulu is how it challenges the reader to see beyond appearances. Maugham shows that paradise can hide danger, and love can hide betrayal. His warning about losing illusions on journeys struck me deeply—it’s a reminder that reality is often far more complicated than we imagine.
I think the main idea of the story is that expectations often do not match reality. So, the mysterious city of Honolulu is completely different from what the author imagined it to be. It is the meeting-place of East and West, where a lot of strange people live with different languages and thoughts.Captain Butler, who caused the terrible shipwreck, deserves special attention. It would seem that he should be worried about this tragedy, but in fact he cannot truly repent.The beautiful love story also turns out to be a lie. The captain's girlfriend saved him from death, killed his enemy, and then escaped from the ship with another man. Maugham warns the reader: “Those are the best journeys, the journeys that you take at your own fireside, for then you lose none of your illusions”. I am impressed by Maugham's story "Honolulu". The author managed to surprise me with an unexpected ending and prove that everything may not be what it seems at first.
It seems to me that the author's story perfectly illustrates that it is better to fantasize at home by the fireplace. The same is true for the main character, the voice-over narrator, who arrives in Honolulu seeking to obtain as much "secret" information as possible and hear unprecedented stories. Naturally, according to the laws of the genre, he stumbles upon such a story (it turns out to be the love story of Captain Butler and a Hawaiian girl, in which there is much more mysticism and fiction than real facts).Everyone drew their own moral from the captain's story, which is more like a fairy tale. For some, this is a story about the fragility of relationships, for others, the meaning lies in the power of faith and love, which can save the whole world. And for some, the story is just a beautiful and instructive shell, which in fact it should be, because the author himself emphasizes the otherworldliness of not only the action, but also the place in which the events unfold.Reality mixes with illusion. This is emphasized by the author at the very beginning of the story: the true meaning of the first sentence of Maugham's work becomes clear only at the end. It is better to mix reality and illusions in front of the fireplace than to go to the ends of the earth for this.
W. Somerset Maugham's short story "Honolulu" offers a piercing examination of colonialism and human hypocrisy. Set in the tropical paradise of Hawaii, the story strips away the façade of European superiority, revealing the moral corruption beneath. Through his characteristic irony and psychological insight, Maugham exposes how people often betray their own supposed values when removed from societal constraints.The story revolves around European expatriates—missionaries, traders, and officials—who have come to Hawaii under the guise of bringing civilization. However, their actions starkly contradict their noble claims. The missionary, who should embody moral virtue, exploits the locals instead of uplifting them. The businessman preaches integrity while engaging in shady dealings. Maugham skillfully demonstrates how the tropical environment, rather than inspiring transformation, amplifies their flaws. The heat and isolation act as a pressure cooker, forcing their true natures to the surface.A key theme is the hypocrisy of colonialism. The Europeans justify their presence as a benevolent mission, yet they display arrogance, greed, and cruelty. Maugham does not explicitly condemn them; instead, he lets their behavior speak for itself. The absence of strong Hawaiian voices in the story is notable—perhaps a deliberate choice to emphasize how colonizers ignore or erase native perspectives.The story’s strength lies in its psychological depth. Maugham does not paint his characters as outright villains but as flawed individuals trapped in self-deception. Their moral failings are universal, suggesting that anyone, when freed from societal scrutiny, might act similarly. The tropical setting serves as a metaphor for this moral exposure—just as the sun burns away mist, the story burns away pretenses.In conclusion, "Honolulu" is a masterful critique of human duplicity. Maugham’s restrained prose and sharp observations create a story that is both subtle and devastating. By exposing the gap between appearance and reality, he challenges readers to reflect on their own capacity for hypocrisy—making this short tale as relevant today as when it was written.
I think the story "The Fall of Edward Bernard" of Maugham is an emotional work with deep meaning. This is a story about true, devoted and selfless love: the main character Bateman is ready to sacrifice his happiness for the sake of his best friend and the girl he loved “not only for beauty, slim, straight and the proud carriage of her head, but still more the beauty of her soul”. In addition, Maugham touches on an important and quite complex topic about the search for the meaning of life. Bateman dreams of wealth and high status in society, so he cannot understand Edward, who left Chicago and settled in Tahiti to enjoy the beautiful nature, delicious but simple food and the company of people whom Bateman also condemns. The characters have different opinions even about their native town Chicago. For Bateman, Chicago is the best city on Earth to return to, but for Edward, it's a stone prison from which to escape. I am sure that "The Fall of Edward Bernard" is not just a story about a fall, but also a reflection about moral choices and values in our society, about being a human, because “even the best of us are sinners and the worst of us are saints”. This story leaves a lot of questions and makes you think about what is really important in life.
The main theme of the story is the pursuit of happiness, which Edward finds not in traditional social achievements such as a career and material wealth, but in deep harmony with nature and the people around him. What society perceives as his "fall" - his preference for simple existence - is in fact his "ascent" to genuine inner satisfaction. Maugham's work clearly contrasts two worlds: the cold and chilly Chicago, which represents ambition and careerism, and the warm, relaxing paradise of Tahiti, which symbolizes freedom and naturalness. This contrast emphasizes how oppressive social norms can suppress individuality and true aspirations. The characters in the story represent different values and ideals. Edward is a man who, having renounced the pressures of society, finds his own essence and self-identification. Bateman, in turn, represents traditional social values such as success, social status and material wealth. Isabelle, Edward's fiancée, meets the standards of beauty and ambition, but her feelings for Edward are initially based on his potential social success rather than an understanding of his true nature and inner world. Arnold Jackson, a former criminal who becomes Edward's mentor, demonstrates that even in the most difficult circumstances, people can change and find happiness in the most unexpected places.
This story snippet pulls you in quickly. A man named Bateman returns to Chicago carrying a secret about his friend Edward, who is engaged to Isabel. Bateman loves Isabel himself, adding a layer of tension. The story hints at a past scandal and possible trouble in Tahiti. It's a classic setup: love triangle, hidden truths, and a society ready to judge. The writing is descriptive, giving a feel for the time and place. It leaves you wanting to know what secret Bateman is hiding and how it will affect everyone involved. A good start that promises drama and difficult choices. It resembles honesty, the sense of responsibility, it’s all about feelings and fears. It shows love from different sides and asks us whether it was love and what love truly is. It resembles the values of the person initially and what values to choose. It’s all about our choices. What do we choose and why do we choose?
I think this story is about the collision of two worlds, two different perspectives on life. And although the author, drawing the story on behalf of Bateman, presents Edward's actions as a delusion, it seems to me that in fact we do not find a clear answer to the question of who is right and who is wrong in this story. In addition to the issue of differing views on life, the story raises issues of honor, duty, love, and friendship. Of course, Edward acts badly towards his friends, and it cannot be said about him that he harms only himself, because he causes suffering, for example, to his deceived bride Isabel. But as for his personal moral choice, approach to life, and choice of environment, I do not think that he can be condemned. Except for moments of deception and perjury, he is as right in his freedom and carelessness as Bateman is in his responsibility and seriousness.