Passion for social class, desire for knowledge, and love of the material, captures the essence of the characters in The Razor’s Edge by W. Somerset Maugham. Set in the 1920’s the novel explores multiples characters’ journey through Paris and America. From minor characters like Sophie and Gray to main characters like Larry and Isabel. In The Razor’s Edge, Gray’s weary character is used as a foil to amplify Larry’s vibrant character to emphasize how a person is not derived from wealth and social standing.
Presented in a manner that should awe, Gray’s appearance begins to dwindle as time takes its toll. At first, he is “striking rather than handsome” and “though built on a large scale he was finely proportioned” (29). Along with his appearance, he is the son of …show more content…
They’re the most ungrateful people in the world; they’ll use you and when they have no further use for you they’ll cast you aside like a frayed shirt; they’ll accept innumerable favors from you, but there’s not one of them who’d cross the road to do the smallest thing for you in return. (127)
In Gray’s case, he is a character that will receive help rather than offer help. He takes Elliott’s apartment and Larry’s assistance on curing his headache...repeatedly. Larry makes Gray seem childish and incapable though he has resources and wealth before the stock market crash and after Elliott’s death.
At the beginning of the story, Gray is almost seen superior with his wealth and social standing. He may even stand out next to Larry, who is quiet at times, but his remarkable features inevitably make Larry shine. Maugham uses two characters who are truly similar yet immensely different to portray money and social class will not get one's respect. Since those who have a grand physical appearance are associated with respect, Maugham uses just the opposite to prove the difference between the wealthy and the
Presented in a manner that should awe, Gray’s appearance begins to dwindle as time takes its toll. At first, he is “striking rather than handsome” and “though built on a large scale he was finely proportioned” (29). Along with his appearance, he is the son of …show more content…
They’re the most ungrateful people in the world; they’ll use you and when they have no further use for you they’ll cast you aside like a frayed shirt; they’ll accept innumerable favors from you, but there’s not one of them who’d cross the road to do the smallest thing for you in return. (127)
In Gray’s case, he is a character that will receive help rather than offer help. He takes Elliott’s apartment and Larry’s assistance on curing his headache...repeatedly. Larry makes Gray seem childish and incapable though he has resources and wealth before the stock market crash and after Elliott’s death.
At the beginning of the story, Gray is almost seen superior with his wealth and social standing. He may even stand out next to Larry, who is quiet at times, but his remarkable features inevitably make Larry shine. Maugham uses two characters who are truly similar yet immensely different to portray money and social class will not get one's respect. Since those who have a grand physical appearance are associated with respect, Maugham uses just the opposite to prove the difference between the wealthy and the