Motivation and Self Actualization in ‘Mayhew’ by Somerset Maugham

Abstract

The current paper aims to take up the textual analysis of the short story Mayhew by W. Somerset Maughamfor the modern elements of motivation and self-actualization. Maugham has often been criticised for his cynical views and the negative projections of his leading protagonists, yet a closer analysis and interpretation of his characters can offer positive and redeeming characteristics which can be emulated. Most of the readings and interpretations of Maugham’s works have found the element of cynicism to be a common threadin his writings;yet on closer textual analysis of his short story ‘Mayhew’, the two elements of motivation and self-actualizationrelated to modern concepts of behavioural science can be discerned in this story, which is a part of Vol III of Maugham’s collection of short stories