A life that is self-consistent can lead to happiness.
Maugham still observes the world from a third-person perspective, being tolerant and not having anything to do with himself. It is not as clear-cut as "The Moon and Sixpence", where ideals and reality are cut off so neatly, but it more realistically shows hundreds of human faces.
For some people, it is easy to divide society into categories. Which one is noble and which one is vulgar, which one is smart and which one is stupid, which one is cute and which one is hateful, most of them are just judging others by oneself. This book can give us a clearer revelation.
From the perspective of binary opposition, Elliot and Larry may be the two extremes of "either/or, either/or". The former regards "social interaction" as the norm, while the latter insists on asking about the meaning of life. Comparing the life trajectories of the two people, it will be strange to find that they both have deep beliefs in their own way of existence.
Elliot has a precise grasp of social relations, is well versed in the communication of human connections, and is willing to serve as a backstop for wealthy and aristocratic families, and is full of a never-tiring sense of accomplishment. He is extremely interested in people's social status, but he is by no means a snob. He is smart, helpful, generous, and tactful enough to take care of the feelings of his servants. In fact, the set of rules advocated by the social circle are basically reflected in the highest standards in him, and the pursuit of elegance and nobility permeates every detail of life. No one can find anything wrong with that high-grade quality of life, except for envy or jealousy. But as he reaches the second half of his life, it becomes clearer that what he really enjoys is not life itself, but other people's opinions of him. As he gets older and there are new people in the top social circle that gave him unlimited glory, he is full of fear of being "forgotten". "Sociability is the meaning of his life, and parties are his breath. Not being invited is like being slighted, and being alone is a great shame." So much so that his last words before his death were all about not receiving an invitation from a wealthy princess. He held a grudge against the invitation and cursed "old bitch".
He looked down upon Larry.
After Larry came back from the battlefield of World War I, he had no interest in the so-called "life" of the people around him. He didn't like to hang out in aristocratic circles, didn't want to go into business to make money, and he didn't even bother to cheer up countless people. The "American Dream". He saw the fleeting nature of life. Facing the cold corpses of his comrades, Larry had doubts about life for the first time: "When people die, they really die completely." He could not live in the glitz with peace of mind. A lifetime of "hanging out" began. With his talent and intelligence, he could have prospered in a bond company in Chicago if he wanted to, but he chose Paris to live in a dilapidated and crowded collective apartment, with the spiritual food provided by the National Library and the University of Paris. Make him feel happy. Only through the guidance of classic books did he see the direction of survival, but the more he learned, the less knowledge he felt. He worked as a coal miner, a farm helper, and a crew member, traveling around the world and understanding life. He doesn't care about the consumption of physical energy, and even feels that after being immersed in the spiritual world for a long time, he can gain more balance, tranquility and happiness by letting his body work. In the eyes of outsiders, he is crazy to do such stupid things. But in 1929, when the economic crisis came, he was the only one left who could save himself and others. While living in India, he felt the vitality inherent in life. No matter whether his feelings were correct or whether they were enlightening to the world, there was no doubt that he finally gained the fullness and joy of survival. What he has been learning is how to live.
Elliot and Larry, one lives for face, the other lives for dignity.
There is no right or wrong. What's valuable about them is that they all have enough perseverance to endure their own choices, mature and firm. If you take your self-righteousness for granted, no matter what, you can only become cannon fodder.
As an outsider, the author always looks at everyone's life from God's perspective. In this sense, everyone is actually equal, and there is no superiority or inferiority, because a person's life is always based on his He is spinning in his personal outlook on life, and no one cares about him outside that circle. And all his successes and failures are meaningless at this time.
In fact, the most important thing in life may be knowing how to take care of your own feelings. Although we all claim to be staunch materialists, at some moments, we have to admit that everything external is just an image of the mind - if the mind is open, everything will flourish; if it is difficult to relax, the world will be eclipsed.
In fact, no one can care about others, and only by caring for yourself can you embrace life. This is why we appreciate a free and easy personality.