Max Beerbohm’s Enoch Soames highlights the need for being known for one's artwork and having it tell the tale of one’s name. Enoch Soame’s ego is seen as he tries to bend the rules of nature and see if he ever becomes famous posthumously. Soame’s college Max Beerbohm, becomes the narrator of the tale and a main character as well. Here, the reader sees the first signs of his selfish nature and how both characters self-deprecate in order to appear rather dependent on the reader and their tales becoming known to the public. With their small names, they both yearn for greatness. The reader can see Enoch’s ego as he travels to the future in order to see how famous he will become. Both characters seek out their artwork for being more than art and
