Maugham's 'The Lotus Eater'

W.S.Maugham is one of the greatest writers of the modern English literature. 'Of Human Bondage' gave him a lot of fame as a novelist. 'The Lotus Eater' of Maugham is one of his remarkable short stories. This story deals with a strange person, Thomas Wilson who resigned from bank managership, received his gratuity, converted all his property into liquid money and with these he arranged for an annuity for twenty-five years in order to live at Capri.
The narrator came to stay at Capri with his friend who lived there. There, from his friend, he heard of the strange man. Thomas Wilson was said to have deviated from the normal life. He chose to live in leisure in a place full of natural beauty. The narrator met the man and an intimacy grew between them.
Mr. Wilson came to Capri and lived peacefully and leisurely doing nothing. He simply idled away his time in reading books, playing piano and enjoying the beauty of the place.
Thomas had a plan to commit suicide after the expiry of his annuity. But after living in pleasure for twenty-five years he lost his strength of mind to commit suicide. He then lived on credit for sometime. Then began the life of his misery. It became insufferable for him. He then tried to commit suicide but he failed to do so. He was taken to hospital for treatment. Then he was released from the hospital, but he became mentally insane. He lived six more years thereafter. His maid servant, Assunta gave him shelter and meagre food. Her husband made him work for them. Then one night he went out to see the beauty of a moonlit mountain and died there.
This story has a great appeal to the readers. The impression of Thomas is permanent within us.