Lenkova Katerina, 221 group

Text analysis

A FRIEND IN NEED

by William Somerset Maugham

William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) was an English playwright, writer

and author of many books including A Friend In Need. His popularity lies in the
fact that by early 1930's he had become the highest paid author of his era. During
the peak of his popularity, Maugham also earned praise as one of the most
significant travel writers. During his life he went through World War I and I I. For
half a decade, Maugham studied medicine. Though, the experience would continue
to influence his writing for the rest of his life. He achieved a great success as a
novelist with such novels as «Of Human Bondage», «The Razor`s Edge » a
dramatist with his plays «Our Betters», «The Circle», but he is best known by his
short stories. They are cool and pessimistic but always fascinating. When
Maugham described people and places in his stories, he did it mostly from his
personal experience.

The title of this story is the beginning of a well-known proverb: «A friend in

need is a friend indeed». On the one hand, we can expect that the story is about
friendship, for example, one friend has a problem and the other helps him to solve
it. But, on the other hand, the title makes us think why the author gives only the
first part of the proverb. In title the story seems to end positive, with happy end
whereas the events of the story are tragic.

This text tells us about two men who are namesakes. The action takes place
in some office, where Burton the Elder is a prosperous businessman. Burton the
Young, the poor card-player, asks him for help as he gets into trouble: he is down
and out and close to commit suicide. That is why, he asks for a job. He is given a
job but on an unusual condition wherefore Burton the Young dies.

In my opinion, the problem of this story is both the appearance and manner
of one person give the impression of a very different man. We should not draw a
conclusion from the growth, from the look in the eyes, from the shape of the jaw,
mouth of the person we meet. We should not consider first impressions of a person
are always right. The second problem, as far as I am concerned, is everyone must
strive for a good life by way of a healthy living, good breeding, job stability and
hope only on yourself. No one is obliged to do something for someone. (Никто
никому ничего не должен).
 The main idea is every person must shape his own future. Everything is
depended on the person himself. Everyone must rely upon himself, because «Self-
help is the best help».

The story is first person narration with descriptive passages, portrayals of the
characters (He was always well-dressed and smart-looking. He was handsome in a
way, with curly hair and pink-white cheeks), and dialogues of the characters
(«I can swim, » he said. «Swim! »)

The prevailing tone is dramatic, tragic, emotional, and pessimistic. The

author underlines the matter-of-fact mood of Burton the Elder. He sends his fellow
to his death on purpose. He doesn`t plan to employ his, because he even hasn`t a
vacancy in his office. His actions are followed by complete indifference towards
Burton the Young. (« I didn’t say anything, I shrugged my shoulders, he looked at
me for a moment and then he nodded; I didn`t say anything for a moment or two, I
was a trifle shocked; He gave a little mild chuckle and he looked at me with those
kind blue eyes of his). He doesn’t confess his guilt.

This story may be divided into the following four parts. The exposition
presents appearance of one of the main characters in this story. All the details of
his appearance speak of Burton the Young’s nature and lifestyle. (There was no
harm in him…he drank too much…he was a card-player). The development of the
plot is presented by the actions in the office. The climax is at the end of the story
as « Done,-he said», it is the highest, the most dramatic point of the action
that has the event of greatest interest and intensity. After climax we found the
outcome of the story as « We shook hands. I wished him good luck and he left
me… The currents round the beacon were more than he could manage. »
Everything is made clear after these words.

In the first part of the story there is litotes: «He wasn't a bad chap. » this
means an intentional use of understatement that renders an ironical effect. The
author uses also an irony. Such as « Come back and see me in another 35 years
and I’ll see what I can do». This is words of Burton the Elder. This phrase is full of
mockery. There are quite a lot of epithets in the story (a kindly little chuckle, an
insane answer, a pretty good swimmer). It helps in making the characteristics of a
person, thing or place more prominent than they actually are. The author uses
ellipsis («Swim! », «Done, » he said.) to allow the reader to understand an
appropriate utterance, intonation by using their imagination. A metaphor is used in
the story: « He rubbed his chin with his hand» - it means that he thought with some
doubt.
 The grammatical peculiarities are expressed by a lot of short and elliptical
sentences. For example: «Thirty five, » he said. «Swim! », «Done, » he said.

The lexical peculiarities of the text are expressed by colloquial words (done,
chap, fellow), bookish (hitherto, dissipation). The use of colloquial English helps
to make the story more vivid. And, may be, the author uses bookish words in
speech of Burton the Elder for showing his education to Burton the Young.

It was not difficult for me to read this story, because its language is very
emotional and at the same time is rather simple. The story doesn`t contain any
special terms or complex structures. I liked the plot as it contains a great deal of
the burning issues of those times when William Somerset Maugham lived and at
the same time it deals with the problems nowadays. So it gives the readers food for
thoughts making us analyze situations from everyday life.