Mallgham’s Naturalistic Tendency Renected In Of Hurean Bondage

As a writer traversing the border between the traditional and modern times, William Somerset Maugham not only inherits the notion of realism, but also assimilates the nourishment from naturalism, tinting his novel Of Human Bondage with obvious naturalistic color. However, as a realist, Maugham ventures to develop naturalism from succinct style and the completeness and artistic disposals of the fiction.This thesis purports to discuss Maugham’s naturalistic tendency reflected in Of Human Bondage, including the aspects of environmental determinism, human nature, objectivity as well as Maugham’s concern for the harsh condition of the lower class. However, after the gradual in-depth exploration, the present author argues that creative notion of naturalism applied in Of Human Bondage is not mature. Maugham, along with the application of naturalism, imbues the whole novel with his own life experiences that renders Of Human Bondage an enduring charm.