W. Somerset Maugham. “The Unconquered”
Ulanskaya Ann
AK-091
W. Somerset Maugham. “The Unconquered”
Essay
I have read a novel “The Unconquered” written by W. Somerset Maugham. This was the first novel of this writer, which made me cry. It’s very strong, in my opinion. Maugham’s special ambiguity is seen more clear in this novel because it is impossible to understand who was write and who was wrong; who acted more horrible, the blind drunk German soldier committed violation of a young girl or that girl killed the innocent child of that accident in spite of the fact that her violator truly loved her then, wanted to marry her and helped her family in that cruel time of war. All this, coupling with the bright description of sense of people and its contradictions make a very strong effect to the reader.
This novel has a deep patriotic sense. The action takes place in France during World War II. The main character is a girl Annette who has patriotic feelings to her motherland. She hates German aggressors. It happened that she was raped by a German soldier and got pregnant. The soldier’s name was Hans. At the beginning of the story he was a real Fascist, tyrant. His behavior was rude and cruel. (He seized her by the shoulder and flung her violently back | With his strength he pinioned her arms and was dragging her out of the door| he gave the woman a great push etc.) In the next part of the story Hans turned out to be not a bad guy and even wanted to marry Annette in some time. He really wanted to redress his wrong. Hans tried to please Annette bringing to her silk stockings, some food. But she didn’t take his tips. She was impregnable. Only her parents humbled with such a life. They didn’t forgive Hans, nevertheless they took presents from him. The parents understood that it was the WAR, they hadn’t any choice. Annette didn’t resign herself to the conquers and remained a patriot nevertheless.
The story arouses contradictory feelings. On the one hand Hans was a brutal conquer, despot, he
AK-091
W. Somerset Maugham. “The Unconquered”
Essay
I have read a novel “The Unconquered” written by W. Somerset Maugham. This was the first novel of this writer, which made me cry. It’s very strong, in my opinion. Maugham’s special ambiguity is seen more clear in this novel because it is impossible to understand who was write and who was wrong; who acted more horrible, the blind drunk German soldier committed violation of a young girl or that girl killed the innocent child of that accident in spite of the fact that her violator truly loved her then, wanted to marry her and helped her family in that cruel time of war. All this, coupling with the bright description of sense of people and its contradictions make a very strong effect to the reader.
This novel has a deep patriotic sense. The action takes place in France during World War II. The main character is a girl Annette who has patriotic feelings to her motherland. She hates German aggressors. It happened that she was raped by a German soldier and got pregnant. The soldier’s name was Hans. At the beginning of the story he was a real Fascist, tyrant. His behavior was rude and cruel. (He seized her by the shoulder and flung her violently back | With his strength he pinioned her arms and was dragging her out of the door| he gave the woman a great push etc.) In the next part of the story Hans turned out to be not a bad guy and even wanted to marry Annette in some time. He really wanted to redress his wrong. Hans tried to please Annette bringing to her silk stockings, some food. But she didn’t take his tips. She was impregnable. Only her parents humbled with such a life. They didn’t forgive Hans, nevertheless they took presents from him. The parents understood that it was the WAR, they hadn’t any choice. Annette didn’t resign herself to the conquers and remained a patriot nevertheless.
The story arouses contradictory feelings. On the one hand Hans was a brutal conquer, despot, he