Maugham’s Paradox And Prejudice-an Interpretation Of China Image In The Painted Veil

William Somerset Maugham(1874-1965) is a notable British novelist and dramatist in the 20 th century. He made an instructive journey through the South Pacific and Asia after the First World War. Many of his work were produced basing on this long trip including The Painted Veil. By employing Imagology and Said’s theory of Orientalism, basing on text analysis, this thesis attempts to make an interpretation of the image of China in the novel The Painted Veil, as well as Maugham’s paradoxical attitude and prejudice against China.This thesis is mainly composed of four parts. Chapter 1 states Maugham and his work, as well as criticisms on The Painted Veil at home and abroad. Chapter 2 illustrates that for Maugham, China is just an exotic and antique Utopia, more like an exquisite vase than a flesh and blood living force. The exotic scenery and Chinese ancient philosophy and thoughts illuminate the author as well as inspiring him of his own reflection of Chinese wisdom. Chapter 3 analyzes the image of China as an Orientalized nation. China is described as a primitive and horrible place which is filled with warlords fighting, epidemic and opium. The reasons behind the negatives images of China are also explored by combing history and Orientalism. Chapter 4 provides a comprehensive exploration on the humble “Other” image of Chinese through text analysis.This thesis argues that the image of China in Maugham’s novel is not the real one. China is described as a utopia by Maugham under the influence of western collective imagination of China and the Chinese traditional philosophy. At the same time, China’s negative image is exaggerated by Maugham under the influence of Oriental and colonial ideology and the western cultural superiority. We will catch a glimpse of the reason of Maugham’s paradox and prejudice against China. Maugham thinks that China should stay at the ancient time and always be a spiritual utopia for the West. His scornfulness to Chinese people and negation of the modern China reveals that he tactually unable to shake off the trammels of Orientalist ideology. His emphasis on the rural China image and ignorance of the modern China also reflects his protection of British colonial interests and superiority.