Larry From The Razor's Edge

Unpredicted events can change a person. This is what happened to Larry from The Razor’s Edge by W. Somerset Maugham. The decisions that Larry has made might seem a bit selfish to some readers but the word selfish involves a lack of consideration for others, therefore, Larry does not fit in that category. He may be a bit troubled, hence, the decision to “loaf” and travel to Paris for some type of enlightenment. (32) Judging Larry for his decisions, or anyone for that matter, is wrong because sometimes, in life, we need a change in scenery and a change in those whom we associate with in order to find inner peace. Larry was a bit troubled and needed to find where he belonged in life after the war, for this reason, getting away from the town he grew up in benefited him significantly. Larry was too young to join the war and was greatly affected by the death of a friend. Dr.
He wanted to find answers to life and God in order to bring closure from his time in war. He felt like he needed to travel but he did not want to leave his girlfriend, Isabel. Larry thought of Isabel’s wellbeing first and foremost which proves that Larry was not selfish. Larry told Isabel that the only thing that made him “unhappy” was that he was “making her unhappy” and that the reason he had not left Chicago was because of her. (46) As I have mentioned before, it would have been easy for him to end his relationship with Isabel and leave to find the piece of his soul that was missing but he did not do that. Larry stayed with Isabel and let her know what was going through his mind. Larry did not care for anyone else’s opinion of him except for that of Isabel’s. After speaking with Isabel about his needs and coming to an agreement did he leave her with a good hearted promise to return in 2 years. (47) This establishes that he was not selfish but that he was troubled and, therefore, needed to “loaf” in order to try and find his peace.