They are joined by a woman travelling alone in second-class, Miss Sadie Thompson. the imagery is also vivid and the Biblical allegory and references make it a very realistic read. Maugham died in Southern France in 1966, at the age of ninety two and his ashes were taken to King’s school, Canterbury and burried beneath the wall of Maugham Library (see also Curtis and Rogal for further biography.) W. Somerset Maugham, English novelist, playwright, and short-story writer whose work is characterized by a clear unadorned style, cosmopolitan settings, and a shrewd understanding of human nature. Both Maugham's parents died before he was 10, and the orphaned boy was raised by a paternal uncle who was emotionally cold. Macphail does not understand what happened until, returning to his lodgings, he finds Sadie Thompson has changed suddenly back to "the flaunting quean they had known at first". The story 'Rain' was written by famous British writer William Somerset Maugham. Macphail feels that Davidson is, mysteriously at work. Miss Thompson is distraught, as she will be sent to the penitentiary if she returns to San Francisco. The review by short story “Rain” by W.S.Maugham. February 15th 2013 Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Regarding the twist of the ending I don't yet have the knowledge scope to see the story in its true ethical and philosophical affairs, but I did strike a few thoughts elsewhere: How many remarkable stories have you read? nonetheless, I loved it. Be the first to ask a question about Rain. this is a novella written way before the times, I admit. What a hypocrite! These experiences provide the setting for Maugham’s most famous tales. Rain Summary. Rain 321 P&O 375 Somerset Maugham 1-416 15/4/11, 2:00 pm5. Overall, as I've stated in the beginning, the story's ending was worth the tediousness of the rest of the tale; so in short, it was worth it! Rain study guide contains a biography of W. Somerset Maugham, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. The Macphails and the Davidsons find lodgings with Horn, a trader on the front. In 1926 he bought a house in Cap Ferrat, France, which was to become a meeting place… More about W. Somerset Maugham The governor, aware that the missionaries have influence, does not change his decision when Macphail visits him. They remember she came on board at Honolulu and is presumably from Iwelei, the red-light district there. Little Stories of the South Sea Islands . there is admittedly a lot of research behind this work. The good old days. The passengers include Dr. Macphail and his wife, and Davidson (a missionary) and his wife (the story is told from Macphail's point of view). I will definitely get his other books as well as lays. I enjoyed reading this short story particularly because it made me so angry at Mr. Davidson for his religiously fueled misogyny that drives him to trying to police Miss Thompson's body and behavior. Publication date 1921 Publisher New York : Grosset & Dunlap Collection cdl; americana Digitizing sponsor MSN Contributor It was really a nice rollercoaster, it started off slowly describing the scene, but then escalated abs developed into a very deep story. I have loved W.Somerset Maugham’s writing for most of my life but, somehow, have never got around to reading his most famous and successful short story, “Rain.” Actually, it is more of a novella and first appeared in 1921 in the American literary magazine, “The Smart Set,” under the title, “Miss Thompson.” There was a Miss Thompson on board a steamer, as well as a medical missionary and his wife, when Maugham and his companion, Gerald Haxton, visited Pago Pago in Somoa. Analysis of W. Somerset Maugham’s Stories By Nasrullah Mambrol on June 15, 2020 • ( 0). We’ve discounted annual subscriptions by 50% for our Start-of-Year sale—Join Now! [6] She breaks into "a loud, jeering laugh" at Mrs Davidson and the Macphails, and says to Macphail, "You men! William Somerset Maugham: from book to screen, 'The Office of Historical Corrections' and the Power of the Short Story. William Somerset Maugham was born at the British Embassy in Paris, France, where his father was an English lawyer handling the legal affairs of the British embassy. Brilliantly executed story about hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and despair. I still don't truly understand the suicide of Mr. Davidson, but I am glad that he can no longer impose his strong opinions on others around him. Maugham reassured him that the handshake still counted. The Rain by Somerset Maugham is an amazing story about religious fanaticism, misogyny and revenge! If you want to increase the number you definitely should read “Rain” by W. Somerset Maugham. At the age of 10, Maugham was orphaned and sent to England to live with his uncle, the vicar of Whitstable. I absolutely loved it. But, things take a dreadful and unexpected turn when Mr. Davidson takes it upon himself to rescue the soul of their neighbor downstairs from second cabin—the insolent, carousing, and inimitable Miss Sadie Thompson. The story has been the basis of a number of adaptations. Rain and other South Sea Stories by Somerset Maugham Somerset Maugham is one of my absolute favorites. Davidson is often with Miss Thompson, whom he now familiarly calls Sadie. The short story Rain relates the events transpiring within a two-week period between a small group of English and American travelers in the South Pacific island of Tutuila. 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