The Fruits Of 4 Archimedes' Discussion In Class

The Lotus Eater
William Somerset Maugham

Summary

In 1913, the narrator visited a friend who lived on the beautiful Capri Island, located in the Bay of Naples. From the island, he can see across the water to Mt Vesuvius on the Mainland of Italy. The narrator then met Thomas Wilson who wants to die (kill himself) when he’s sixty. He came to Capri when he was 35 years old and he had enough money to last him 25 years. So, he figured he should kill himself when he turns 60. A few days later, the narrator’s friend invited both of the narrator and Thomas Wilson for dinner but the narrator’s friend fell ill so Wilson and the narrator ended up having dinner between themselves. After dinner, they sat in the garden and Wilson reminiscence on how he fell in love with the island 16 years ago when he first saw it during his holiday there.

Wilson had no family, relatives or close friends. After his first visit to Capri, he returned to work as a bank manager in London which he had since he was 17 years old. He found his job to be tedious and wishes to return to live on Capri Island forever so that he can die as a happy man. He sold his house in London and bought an annuity which would last him for 25 years. In Capri, he lived in a small, scenic cottage in a vineyard far from town. The cottage belongs to the owner of the vineyard whose wife, Assunta comes around everyday to tend to the cottage. Wilson leads a quiet and private life yet he also relishes the opportunity to meet people once in a while as he always has something interesting to share.

The narrator then went on with his journey around the world and endured World War 1. He came back to Capri and visited his friend who now lives in Wilson’s old cottage. Wilson’s money has ran out as he reached the age of 60 and the owner of the cottage asked him to leave unless he paid the rent. So Wilson tried to commit suicide by lighting up a fire in his bedroom. He survived the fire but his mind is damaged from over-inhalation of smoke and he lost his memory. Assunta assumed the role of taking care of him and let him stay in their woodshed. The narrator tried to converse with Wilson yet he runs away. Wilson died after 6 years of living in the woodshed when they found his body on the hillside, looking out over the beautiful Bay of Naples.

Done by Group 1, 2 and 3 (4 Archimedes)
February 2009