Susan Lee: The Razor's Edge

Maugham, as a narrator and a character in the Razor's edge, described to readers a story of his friends, Elliot, Isabel, and Larry’s different but unique life styles. The story shows how each character tried to achieve their life’s same ultimate goal, happiness, through different ways.

Larry is non-materialistic figure in the movie. He always wanted to find his own truth happiness of life. Larry felt that money and fame won’t full-fill his life. He thought these things were empty and incomplete and would not last forever. During fighting in World War I, Larry faced the most shattering experience of his life time through his fellow soldier’s death. This incident made him think about the true meaning of life and what it is all about. After he returned home from war, he became deeply concerned whit death. He tried to look for the answers and decided to leave for a journey to look for the answer. In India, Larry studied the spiritualism for many years. He searched for the true meaning of life that would satisfy his soul. He learned the spiritual knowledge and used it to heal others; in other words, his happiness was helping other people after he trained his mind.

Isabel, who is Larry’s fiance, refused to marry him when she learned that Larry won’t be able to satisfy her materialistic needs. In my view, Isabel symbolizes the materialism of the young generation in the movie. It was the wealth and the social position that it was extremely important in her life and what determind her happiness of life. She did not understood Larry’s desire for spiritual happiness. She thought that it was odd and a waste of time. With her desire for wealth, she decided to marry Gray, who is rich stock broker and could full-fill her wealthy life style. Her character was not only very materialistic but also very possessive. She married Gray because of money; futhermore, she still wanted to believe that Larry loved her when he decided that he would marry Sophie. I just thought that she seems likely to beg for love when I watched last scene.

Elliot, who is Isabel’s uncle, symbolizes the materialism of the older generation. He is described as a social butterfly in the movie. Social popularity brought him the ultimate happiness of his life. Making new relationship with high society people and being a greater entertainer at a party gave him pleasure in his life. As he grew old, his social popularity eventually declined. He was so dedicated to his party-life style that even on his death bed he showed his endless passion and desire for parties. Through social activities, he achieved his life happiness. Although, he died happily by receiving a fake invitation from one friend, but, I saw his meaningless life when he died.

In conclusion, this movie made me think about happiness and love. I believe that happiness consists in contentment. Three main characters, Larry, Isabel and Elliot's pursuit of happiness were different, but I felt that they were satisfied with their circumstances. Incidentally, if I were Isabell, I would not break a sweet love for money. I think love is more important than money.