Spatial Narrative In Maugham’s "Chinese Stories"

Maugham is regarded as one of the most important British writers in the 20~thh century,and his works are popular with readers.Maugham has a deep love for travel,and his own experiences in the travel provide valuable material for his literary creation.In 1919,Maugham traveled to China,afterwards he published a series of works concerning China,including On a Chinese Screen,The Painted Veil and East of Suez and so on.These works make up Maugham’s“Chinese stories”.Based on the theory of spatial narrative,this thesis mainly analyzes of On a Chinese Screen,The Painted Veil and East of Suez.Maugham’s works have distinct spatial characteristics.The topographical space provides the background of the stories,and Maugham shows various images of China through the description of topographical space.Topographical space reveals natural landscape and cultural landscape,the dwelling house furnished with taste and ugly places.Beautiful natural landscape and cultural landscape,and ancient Chinese buildings leave a favorable impression on Maugham.Exquisite arts and unique customs demonstrate the long history and splendid culture of China.Meanwhile,Maugham gives a full description of the poverty and backwardness of China based on the social reality at that time.As to social space,this thesis chooses three representative spaces:the plague-ridden city,the convent and the opium den.Social space reflects the communication and the conflict between different cultures.Maugham’s works focus on the British people who live in China.The characters of British woman Kitty,the nuns and Chinese opium smokers are vividly displayed in his works.Maugham’s“Chinese stories”can be comprehensively understood from the perspective of social space.