Estimated read time: 6 min read
Table of Contents
List of Characters
| Character Name | Story Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Rosalie | "The Verger" | Protagonist |
| Albert Foreman | "The Verger" | Minor Character |
| Miss Edith McLeod | "The Lotus Eater" | Protagonist |
| Thomas Wilson | "The Lotus Eater" | Supporting Character |
| Victor | "The Luncheon" | Protagonist |
| Lady Mary | "The Luncheon" | Supporting Character |
| Stephen Wells | "The Colonel's Lady" | Protagonist |
| Mrs. Wells | "The Colonel's Lady" | Supporting Character |
| Mr. Foster | "The Painted Veil" (short story) | Protagonist |
| Kitty Fane | "The Painted Veil" (short story) | Supporting Character |
Note: "Collected Stories" is an anthology of short stories. The characters listed are from some of the notable stories within the collection.
Role Identification
| Character Name | Role Description |
|---|---|
| Rosalie | A determined and practical woman who adapts to change |
| Miss Edith McLeod | A wealthy, isolated woman searching for meaning |
| Victor | A charming but superficial man engaging in social games |
| Lady Mary | A socialite focused on status and appearances |
| Stephen Wells | A military man confronting personal and familial challenges |
| Mrs. Wells | A devoted wife with complex emotions |
| Mr. Foster | A man struggling with moral dilemmas |
| Kitty Fane | A conflicted woman dealing with duty and desire |
Character Descriptions
Rosalie ("The Verger")
Rosalie is a quiet, resilient woman who faces sudden changes in her life with pragmatic determination. After losing her job as a verger, she starts a successful business, showcasing her adaptability and inner strength.
Miss Edith McLeod ("The Lotus Eater")
Edith is a wealthy Englishwoman living in isolation on the island of Capri. Her desire for a life of leisure and escape from societal expectations drives the narrative, revealing her complex relationship with freedom and responsibility.
Victor ("The Luncheon")
Victor is a young writer who becomes entangled in a social situation involving Lady Mary. His charm is contrasted with his naivety and social awkwardness, creating tension in the story.
Lady Mary ("The Luncheon")
Lady Mary embodies the upper-class frivolity and superficiality of her time. Her interactions with Victor reveal her manipulative and self-centered nature.
Stephen Wells ("The Colonel's Lady")
Stephen is a retired military officer dealing with his wife's emotional distance. His character explores themes of pride, duty, and the complexities of marriage.
Mrs. Wells ("The Colonel's Lady")
Mrs. Wells is portrayed as a woman struggling with her past and present emotions, providing a counterpoint to her husband's rigid demeanor.
Mr. Foster ("The Painted Veil" short story)
Mr. Foster is a man caught between moral obligation and personal happiness. His internal conflict highlights themes of fidelity and societal expectations.
Kitty Fane ("The Painted Veil" short story)
Kitty is a complex character grappling with loneliness and desire. Her evolution throughout the story reveals depth and vulnerability beneath her initial superficiality.
Character Traits
| Character Name | Key Traits | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Rosalie | Resilient, pragmatic, resourceful | Demonstrates adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit |
| Miss Edith McLeod | Wealthy, isolated, contemplative | Reflects on freedom and the cost of isolation |
| Victor | Charming, naive, socially awkward | Represents youthful innocence and social tension |
| Lady Mary | Manipulative, vain, self-centered | Embodies upper-class superficiality |
| Stephen Wells | Proud, dutiful, introspective | Struggles with emotional expression |
| Mrs. Wells | Emotional, conflicted, loyal | Reveals complexities in marital relationships |
| Mr. Foster | Moralistic, conflicted, dutiful | Illustrates internal struggle with ethics |
| Kitty Fane | Vulnerable, conflicted, evolving | Shows personal growth and emotional depth |
Character Background
Rosalie
Rosalie’s background is modest, and she works as a verger before being forced to change her life. Her story reflects themes of change and self-reliance.
Miss Edith McLeod
Edith hails from a wealthy background, choosing to live a secluded life on Capri. Her history includes societal expectations that she seeks to escape.
Victor
Victor is a young writer, likely from a middle-class background, navigating social circles that are unfamiliar to him.
Lady Mary
Lady Mary comes from aristocratic society, accustomed to power and influence, which shapes her behavior and interactions.
Stephen Wells
Stephen is a retired colonel with a military past influencing his strict and proud demeanor.
Mrs. Wells
Mrs. Wells shares a history with her husband that includes emotional distance and unspoken conflicts.
Mr. Foster
Mr. Foster’s background involves societal and personal obligations, creating a moral framework that guides his decisions.
Kitty Fane
Kitty’s background is marked by loneliness and a search for meaning, leading to personal transformation.
Character Arcs
| Character Name | Beginning State | Ending State | Arc Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosalie | Job loss, uncertain future | Successful business owner | Transforms adversity into opportunity |
| Miss Edith McLeod | Isolated, seeking escape | Accepts consequences of choices | Learns about the limits of freedom and indulgence |
| Victor | Naive and charming | More aware of social realities | Gains social understanding through experience |
| Lady Mary | Confident and manipulative | Remains self-centered | Largely static, representing societal critique |
| Stephen Wells | Proud and emotionally distant | Confronts emotional truths | Develops awareness of marital complexities |
| Mrs. Wells | Reserved and conflicted | Expresses feelings more openly | Emotional growth within marriage |
| Mr. Foster | Morally rigid | Faces personal dilemmas | Experiences internal conflict between duty and desire |
| Kitty Fane | Superficial and lonely | Gains self-awareness | Evolves through emotional and moral challenges |
Relationships
Rosalie and Albert Foreman ("The Verger")
Rosalie’s relationship with Albert is professional but transforms as she asserts her independence. Albert represents the establishment she leaves behind.
Miss Edith McLeod and Thomas Wilson ("The Lotus Eater")
Their relationship is complex, with Wilson representing a more conventional life Edith chooses to reject. It highlights themes of attachment and freedom.
Victor and Lady Mary ("The Luncheon")
Their interaction reveals class tensions and differing motivations. Lady Mary uses Victor for amusement, while Victor learns about social hierarchies.
Stephen and Mrs. Wells ("The Colonel's Lady")
Their marriage is strained, reflecting unspoken grievances and emotional distance. Their interactions explore the challenges of long-term relationships.
Mr. Foster and Kitty Fane ("The Painted Veil" short story)
Their relationship is marked by conflict and misunderstanding, driving the narrative of personal growth and moral questioning.
Conclusion
W. Somerset Maugham's "Collected Stories" presents a rich tapestry of complex characters. Each character brings unique traits and backgrounds that reflect broader themes such as social class, personal transformation, and moral ambiguity. Through detailed character arcs and nuanced relationships, Maugham explores human nature with clarity and insight, offering timeless reflections on life's challenges and social dynamics. This analysis highlights the depth and variety of characters that make "Collected Stories" a significant work in literary short fiction.
