Rain by William Somerset Maugham involves the encounter of a Christian missionary with islanders and passengers of a ship during a sea journey. Mr.Davidson believed that he had to save this world from evil by preaching to all people. This literary story explores themes of hypocrisy, spirituality, and sadness at the same time.
This article will discuss all the details related to this story. I will cover:
- Author
- Characters
- Summary
- Analysis
- Themes
- Lessons
- Conclusion
Author
This storybook was written by a famous novelist Somerset Maugham back in the 20th century. Initially, it was published as Miss Thompson but later the name was changed. This story introduced me to the hypocritical nature of humans. Some famous short stories by Somerset Maugham are:
Characters
The reading had the following characters:
Dr.Macphil and Mrs.Macphil
They were a sweet couple in the story who seemed to have affection for middle-class people.
Mr.Davidson and Mrs.Davidson
This couple belonged to a Christian missionary. They love to preach to others about joining Christianity.
Miss Thompson
She is the main character of the story. She performed bad deeds. Mr. Davidson changed her thoughts.
Mr.Horn
A man who offered rooms to all ship passengers on the island.
Rain By Somerset Maugham Summary
This story starts with a ship that stops at a place Pago-Pago. It was destined to take passengers to Apia. The ship was stuck on the island because of a measles outbreak in a ship passenger. All passengers were sent into quarantine. Out of all the ship passengers, the Davidson and Macphul families were important. They stayed in a hotel owned by Mr.Horn.
Mr.Davidson belonged to a Christian missionary. He had links with higher authorities. You will find him as an arrogant man who never appreciates natives. He seems a self-righteous man in the story who loves to preach. He wants all people to practice religion. His wife supported him in this matter.
On the other side. Dr.Macphil and his wife had a soft corner for natives. They stayed with Davidson’s family in quarantine. The story involves the entry of a woman named Miss Thompson. The author presented her as a filthy woman because she performed bad things. Mr.Davidson didn’t like her.
During dinner, The couple heard a phone sound from Miss Thompson’s room. Further, they also found some men’s voices in her room. This action triggered Mr.Davidson.He considered Miss Thompson’s actions against the Christianity. He was a missionary and complained to the owner of her room. They all decided to send Mrs. Thompson back to San Francisco.
Miss Thompson never wanted to go back to San Francisco. She realized that the government would send her to jail for three years. She sought forgiveness from Mr.Davidson because he was a strict man. She approached Dr.Macphil but he said it was useless. Mr.Davison had links with top officials. Soon, Miss. Thompson realized her sins. She changed her soul from darkness to light. She started reading the bible. She was completely changed.
The Macphil couple found Mr.Davidson dead before the departure of Miss Thompson. On a visit, they found Miss Thompson was performing the old things again. She was drinking. She started meeting men. Dr.Macphil asked her why she had moved from spirituality to the darkness back. Miss Thompson replied that all men are dirt. You are all the same.
Soon, Dr. Macphil realized why Mr.Davidson was found dead. He learned the reason behind suicide. He understood Miss Thompson’s statement. It was found Mr.Davidson tried to assault her before the day she was going back. When she resisted, Davidson realized that he was a missionary and he was sinful. He ended his life.
Analysis
You will get an overview of spirituality from this story. Mr.Davidson tried his best to impose religion on the natives. He wants all people to practice religion. Further, he had a stone heart. He believed one should face punishment for his or her sins. That is why he never cared about Miss Thompson’s plea. She begs not to send her to San Francisco but he ignores her. He had links with top personalities in the story.
- Secondly., the Dark side of human beings is also portrayed. Mr.Davidson who is portrayed as a religious man had a filthy heart. He was the one who sent Miss Thompson back to darkness. His gesture had hurt her and made her a victim.
Themes Discovered
The themes are:
Hypocrisy
The author criticized those who impose religion on others. These people consider themselves ideal while others as fools. Mr.Davidson looks pious man but his action in the ending exposes him badly.
Victim
Miss Thompson indulged in bad acts but she never faked her personality. She even changed her soul. She left her life that had sins but Davidson hurt her. She again joined her old habits.
Power
Mr.Davidson had power because he belonged to a missionary. His decisions were final. He never changed them showing his strength.
Moral Lessons
These are the final lessons from this book:
- We should never impose our thoughts on others.
- Never hurt anyone who is tackling hurdles like Miss Thompson.
- Everyone has the right to live his life independently.
Conclusion: Rain Short Story By Somerset Maugham
In a nutshell, The Rain By Somerset Maugham is a fascinating story that explores themes of hypocrisy and religious order. The plot involves the encounter of a missionary preacher with a harlot. She changed her soul and adopted the right path but the hypocrisy of the preacher led her back to the past.
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