Books Quote by William Somerset Maugham
““Maugham described the novel as “the story of a nine days wonder in a Lambeth slum” and confessed to being influenced by the great authors of realistic novels, such as Maupassant; however, Maugham was also accused of being overly influenced (to the point of plagiarism) by other gritty novels set in the slums, such as Child of the Jago by Arthur Morrison, published in 1896. Some themes are bound to recur in such novels — descriptions of living conditions, the brutality of relationships, the dangers of living and working in such insanitary districts — so the critics that accused Maugham of copying were perhaps being unduly harsh,””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Literary Criticism of W. Somerset Maugham, 1920s
Maugham's novel reflects gritty urban life, but critics argue he borrowed heavily from earlier slum narratives, raising questions of originality versus influence.
In simple terms: Maugham wrote about slums, but may have copied earlier works.
Key Takeaway
Consider how influence shapes creativity.
Themes
literature
influence
originality
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
literary
critical
When to use this quote
- academic analysis
- creative writing
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
plagiarism
realism
urban poverty
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines originality in realistic fiction?
- How do we balance influence and plagiarism?
A Different Perspective
Critics may overlook common genre conventions.
