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Cover of The Merry-go-round

The Merry-go-round

Written by W. Somerset (William Somerset) Maugham

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EnglandSocial classesSingle womenMan-woman relationshipsHusband and wife

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About this book

"The Merry-go-round" by W. Somerset Maugham is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story begins to unfold through the interactions of Miss Elizabeth Dwarris, a wealthy and overbearing woman, and her equally stubborn cousin, Miss Ley. The narrative introduces themes of family dynamics, power, and independence, specifically revolving around the tyrannical presence of Miss Dwarris in the lives of her relatives. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Miss Elizabeth Dwarris, who wielded her wealth to manipulate and subdue her poorer relatives. She takes delight in controlling their thoughts and actions, deriving pleasure from their discomfort. Particularly noteworthy is her contentious relationship with Miss Ley, who is uniquely able to challenge Dwarris with her wit and bluntness. Their exchanges hint at a longstanding feud, illustrating the tension between authority and rebellion within family structures. The opening portion effectively sets the stage for a story that promises to explore complex interpersonal relationships and the consequences of power and independence.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Merry-go-round, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • cynical
  • melancholy
  • observational

W. Somerset Maugham's early novel, "The Merry-go-round," offers a panoramic view of interconnected lives in Edwardian London, exploring themes of love, marriage, social convention, and the pursuit of happiness amidst disillusionment. The narrative follows several characters, primarily Reginald Haddo, a struggling writer, and Mrs. Linsell, a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage, as they navigate societal expectations and personal desires. Through their intertwining stories, Maugham critiques the superficiality and hypocrisy of the upper-middle class, portraying human existence as a cyclical, often futile, endeavor to escape suffering or find meaning. The novel's title metaphorically suggests the repetitive nature of life's joys and sorrows, where individuals often return to their starting point despite their struggles.

“"The world is a merry-go-round, and we are all on it, going round and round, and never getting anywhere."”

Key themes

Disillusionment and the Futility of Pursuit
This is the central theme, explored through nearly every character's journey. Maugham portrays human desires for love, happiness, success, and freedom as often leading to disappointment, implying that life is a 'merry-go-round' of repeated struggles from which true escape is rare. Characters repeatedly find themselves back in similar emotional or circumstantial predicaments.
Social Hypocrisy and Convention
Maugham critically examines the superficiality and double standards of Edwardian society, particularly regarding marriage, class, and morality. Characters are often judged not by their actions or intentions, but by their adherence to or deviation from rigid social norms, leading to ostracization and ruin.
The Nature of Love and Marriage
The novel portrays various forms of love – romantic, passionate, unrequited, and the love within marriage – often depicting them as sources of pain, illusion, or entrapment rather than fulfillment. Marriages are frequently shown as unhappy unions based on convenience, duty, or societal pressure rather than genuine affection.

Worth discussing

How does the 'merry-go-round' metaphor function throughout the novel, and do any characters successfully escape its cycle?

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