The Lotus Eater by Somerset Maugham Questions Study Guide

The Lotus Eater by Somerset Maugham Questions Study Guide :-

The Lotus Eater is one of my fevourite English short story. Here are some questions and answers I studies in my college days.

Question:-

What does Somerset Maugham say about the majority of the people?

Answer:-

The majority of people live the life that circumstances have thrust upon them. Though they accept their luck they repent for what they are. They lack the courage to face new challenges and to take the course of their lives in their own hands.

Question:-

Why was the author curious to meet Thomas Wilson?

Answer:-

The author was curious to meet Thomas Wilson because Wilson was somewhat different from others. He took the course of his life in his own hands. The author admired Wilson’s courage to face life in his own way.

The Lotus Eater by Somerset Maugham Questions and Answers

The Lotus Eater by Somerset Maugham Questions and Answers:-

Question:-

How did the author know that Mr. Wilson was not ill-read?

Answer:-

On one occasion when the author met Wilson, the letter told him all about Tiberius. Also Wilson was acquainted with the Roman history. So the author knew that Wilson was a well-read person.

Question:-

How did Wilson try to commit suicide? Was he successful?

Answer:-

The twenty five years passed off very quickly. They were the days of happiness and enjoyment for Wilson. After the expiry of the annuity Wilson somehow got on for a year on credit. He borrowed money from anyone he could. Thereafter his land lord asked him to leave the house. Wilson tried to commit suicide by charcoal poisoning in a closed room.

He was not successful, because he did not die. On the following morning he was found alive and was taken to a hospital. But he became insane.

The Lotus Eater by Somerset Maugham Discussion Questions and Answers

The Lotus Eater by Somerset Maugham Discussion Questions and Answers :-

The Lotus Eater is a short story written by Somerset Maugham. It is one of my most favourite short story in English.

Question:-

Why did the author want to know about the man directly from him?

Answer:-

Most of us accept life as it comes in our way and lack the courage to change its course. Wilson was somewhat different from others because he changed the course of his life. People generally exaggerate and romanticize. The author wanted to hear all the facts from Wilson’s own lips in order to know the reality.  

Question:-

What did the author heard about Wilson?

Answer:-

The author heard that Wilson was an odd sort of fellow. He had the courage to change the course of his life. He did not follow the common route on which the common people traveled.