In this article, we will discuss one of the most popular short stories by William Somerset Maugham which is "The kites"
William Somerset Maugham
- Birth - 25 January 1874
- Death - 16 December 965
- An English playwright, novelist, and short story writer
- Most popular writer and the highest-paid author of his era
- Famous Works - Liza of Lambeth, Of Human Bondage, The Moon and Sixpence
The kites
- Written in 1947
- Theme - anger temperament and behavior
A brief summary of The Kites
The writer Somerset Maugham begins his story by saying, "I know this is an odd story.
Even then the writer writes it, with the hope, that, perhaps he would understand after he writes.
The writer says that this would help the reader to get a proper opinion.
And the reader would explain to the writer.
This would make the writer comprehensible about human nature; the complications of human nature.
The writer says there is something of Freudian nature. Maugham read a good deal of Freud But for him, Freud was verbose The acrimony with which a friend wrote was not comfortable to Maugham.
Somerset says that there is a difference between the writer and the man.
The writer may be harsh and the man in him meek, or vice versa.
Further, the writer says that re-reading friend did not help him to understand his subject. The subject of his odd story so he decides to relate the facts.
Maugham continues to say that this was not his story. He does know any of the characters in the story.
Maugham says that one evening his friend Ned Preston had come to visit him. He related this story. Actually, Ned could not deal with the circumstances.
Ned was a prison Visitor at Wormwood Scrubs. He was a sincere officer. He took the troubles of his prisoners as his own.
The writer and his friend were at the Old Cafe Royal. His friend (Ned) was smoking continuously.
Ned could not deal with the situation. This was the case of a young man, who refused to pay alimony to his wife.
The young man preferred to be in jail, rather than pay a реnny to his wife. The young man was unconcerned about his wife's starving.
The writer was surprised to know that the young man was angry with his wife because she had smashed his kite.
The young man said "hill never forgive her till his dying day'' The writer says about the man that, "he must be crazy".
Ned tells him, "No, he isn't. He was a perfectly reasonable, quite intelligent, decent fellow."
B
Now he tells us about the young man. Herbert Sunbury was his name.
His father was Samuel Sunbury, Mother was Beatrice Sunbury.
Mrs. Sunbury was very refined. She never allowed anyone to address her son as 'Herb' or 'Battie! Nor did the call her husband Sam.
No one ventured to call her Bea' or 'Betty! "Beatrice I was christened," She said. She preferred to be called I Beatrice by all her near and dear ones.
Mrs. Sunbury was a little woman, but strong, active, and wiry. Ther hair was black and she wore it in the Style of Queen Victoria's daughters.
She was a simple woman. She only used rouge and lipstick. She wore only black dresses and a thin gold chain, from which hung a small gold cross. She was regardless of fashion. She dressed as both that was Serviceable and decorous.
Samuel Sunbury was also a little man. He had pale blue eyes & her complexion was pasty. He was a clerk in a lawyer's office. He had worked his way up from office to a respectable position.
Every morning, for twenty-four years, he took the same train to the city. He used to be neatly dressed.
At work, he wore grey trousers, a black coat, and a bowler hot But on Sundays, to attend the Chapel, he wore a morning coat with his bowler.
On principle, Sunburys were total abstainers but on Sundays, they had a frugal lunch. They had a good dinner of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.
Mrs. Sunbury wouldn't for the world have kept liquor in the house but just to be sociable, she had a glass too with her husband.
Herbert was the only child, the lord had vouchsafed them. They doted on him. He was a pretty baby and a good child.
Mrs. Sunbury brought him up carefully she taught him the etiquettes and table manners.
In due course, Herbert grew up. He had to go to school. Mrs Sunbury never allowed him to play with the children in street.
Though she lived in the same house since they were married, she maintained a distance from her neighbors.
“Evil communication corrupts good manners,” she said.
“I have kept myself to myself and always keep myself to myself”
She did not want herbert to be in contact with the rough boys at the county council school. She warned Herbert not to mix with them.
Herbert was a clever boy. He did very well at school. He was good at figures. So his father advised him to go for the job of an accountant.
Mr. Sunbury got him into the office of accountants. By the time Herbert was twenty-one he was able to bring back quite a nice little sun to his mother.
Mrs. Sunbary gave him back three half-crowns and ten shillings. The rest she kept in the savings bank.
On the night of Herbert’s twenty-first birthday, Mrs. Sunbury was very happy she said ‘fancy him being twenty-one, I can hardly believe it.’
And when Mr. Sunbary said about his marriage, Mrs. Sunbury said with asperity that Herbert had no need to marry now.
Mr. Sunbury was silent.
Mr. Sunbury said that a man should not marry before thirty or twenty-five years of age.
Mrs. Sunbary had gifted him a silver wristwatch and Mrs. Sunbury a kite on his birthday. Seven years back also she had given him a kite.
It so happened that they had gone out for a Saturday afternoon walk. Mrs. Sunbary liked to keep herself to herself.
Suddenly Herbert said, “look at them kites mum”.
Mrs. Sunbury corrected him, ‘those’ not ‘them’.
They went to the elevation. Herbert saw boys and girls and men racing down to give their kites a start.
Herbert asked his mother if he could have a kite. Mrs. Sunbary smiled. She promised to give if he would be a good boy that Santa Claus would bring a kite on Christmas day.
At first, Herbert wasn't clever at flying kites. His father helped him to start but very quickly he learned to fly: his parents swelling with pride, watched him from the top of the knoll.
It becomes a passion for Herbert. As he grew bigger, his mother brought him larger kites. He got clever at gauzing the winds.
He could do nothing with the kite which was not possible and now notwithstanding her exclusiveness, they were on talking terms with all and Sunday.
Sometimes Herbert, now a big boy of sixteen would challenge another kite flyer.
He would maneuver his kite to the windward of the other fellows. Then allow his chord to drift against his, and then by sudden jerk bring the enemy's kite down.
Saturday afternoon became the great day of the week for them. They used to be anxious to see if the weather was suitable for flying kites.
All through the week, in the evening, they talked about it. They liked the gusty day. This gave them chances to exercise their skill. They were contemptuous of smaller kites than theirs, and at the same time were envious of bigger ones.
They discussed the performance of other flyers as hotly and scornfully, as boxers and football players discuss their revivals.
Their ambition was to have a bigger kite than anyone and that which would go up the highest. They used piano wire wound round drum but Herbert wanted the box kite. He thought he would devise something of the sort himself. So he set about making designs of it.
He made a small model. He tried one afternoon, but something went wrong. Herbert was a stubborn boy. He was at it to put it to right.
Then an unfortunate thing began to happen. Herbert began to go out for supper. Mrs. Sunbury did not like it, but Mr. Sunbury reasoned with her. She should allow their son to go for walks and outings.
Herbert had fallen in love. One Saturday evening, after their visit to the common, herbert told his mother that he had invited a young lady.
Mrs. Sunbury did not like this, but again Mr Sunbury reasoned that Herbert was now 22. He needs to go out by himself. There was no harm.
Mrs Sunbury was taken aback. She asked who she was and how did he meet her.
Betty Bevan was her name. Herbert had met her at the pictures on Saturday. That day it was raining. The meeting was also sudden.
Herbert tells his mother that they were sitting beside each other in the pictures. After the picture by mistake, she had left her bag behind.
So he had gone to give to her. This meeting was three months back.
Mrs Sunbury said that this was all a trick, to trap him. But Herbert said she was a nice girl.
Herbert said he had invited her. She said that she was not certain but she came, Mrs Sunbury said, she knew that Betty would have certainly come. His mother said that is why he was going out so often.
But then Herbert said that if his mother did not want, he will not call her. He would tell Betty that his mother was having a heading headache. But his father said to bring her, it was only that his mother could not abide strangers.
Mrs Sunbury had the habit to keep, ‘myself to myself’.
Betty works in a typewriting office. Her mother died her father married again. She did not get on with her stepmother, so she lived separately.
Mrs Sunbury arranged the tea in a very stylish way. She wanted Betty to see that they were ‘just nobody’.
Strange enough or perhaps not strangely at all, Betty looked very much like Mrs Sunbury. She had the same sharp features and she had small beady eyes.
Mrs Sunbury took in a glance and reckoned how much her dress, her hat, her high heels shoes and stocking had cost.
Mrs Sunbury disapproves of her m makeup and dressing sense took an instant dislike of her. But she made up her mind to behave like a lady. They were then having cake and tea. The cake fell on the floor Mrs Sunbury offered to give her another piece.
But Betty said, she would pick it up, as the floor was clean. Later she refused to have tea or cake. She said she was full. Then Herbert lit a cigarette.
‘Give us a fog Herb’said Betty, I’m simply dying for a smoke.
Mrs Sunbury didn’t approve of women smoking. But she only said, “we prefer to call him Herbert”.
Betty said ‘Herbert was a funny name’. Mrs Sunbury relapsed into dignified silence. Then they lift.
Mrs Sunbury opined that ‘Betty was ‘common’ and that she is common as dirt. Herbert returned. He was angry. He told his mother, that he was ashamed of her.
Mrs Sunbury was also angry and when she was angry, her grammar got shaky and wasn’t safe on her itches.
She told Herbert, ‘well she never come here gain’.
Mrs Sunbury gasped when Herbert told her that they were engaged. She screamed in anger.
There was quite a scene. The mother and son had a hot discussion. Next Mrs Sunbury was frigidly polite.
That Saturday after, Herbert did not come with them to the commons. Then they went to hernebuly. They had a nice class of people there, and for years, they had taken the same lodging.
One evening Herbert told his mother that they would not go, as he was getting married to Betty, and that they were going to Southend for their honeymoon.
There was a dead silence in the room. Betty was out of a job. They had taken a room in Dabney street.
Mrs Sunbury did not say a word. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Herbert consoles his mother. He said he had to marry someone. His father had married his mother and so he was born as their son.
Herbert tells her that Betty was a nice girl.
‘She never going to set foot in this house, only over my dead body’ said his mother.
Herbert tries to convince his mother that everything will be alright, only that she can’t see what there is in kite flying, and that kite flying is like a kid’s game. Herbert should be ashamed to fly kites at this age, she said.
His mother tells him that, ‘... if you marry that woman you’re not going to fly my kite’. Herbert left the house. He got married a fortnight later. His parents did not go to the wedding.
Instead, they resumed their daily routine. On Saturday afternoon, they went to the commons to fly their enormous kite.
Mrs Sunbury never mentioned her son. She was determined, never to forgive him.
Mrs Sunbury met his son in the morning while going to his office. They chatted a little there.
One morning seeing the weather clear for flying kites, herbert asked his father, if they still went for kite flying.
His father told him, that, his mother was getting clever as she ran down swiftly with the kite.
Herbert could not buy a kite for himself. Betty would not allow him Kites were expensive.
So, it went on for six months. And then one Saturday Herbert came to the common. Mrs Sunberry pretended that she did not see him.
Mrs Sunbury was sure, he would come next Saturday. She said, “I have been waiting for this all along” She was right. Every Saturday Herbert turned up on the common. But there was no interaction among them.
Then the Sunbury’s had a surprise. They weren’t flying the big kite, but a new one, a box–kite, on the model for which he had made the designs himself.
The Box-kite was creating a lot of interest among the other kite flyers. Mrs Sunbury was talking volubly.
Initially, Mr Sunbury could not fly the box kite. He flopped miserably on the Box-kite. But with the second attempt the box kite took the air. There was a cheer among the bystanders.
Mrs Sunbury went up to her son and asked if he would fly.
Herbert caught his breath. He was surprised, “yes, mum, should, “ he said.
Mr Sunbury handed the kites to him. He raced down the hill and was filled with exultations, His mother asked him to have tea with him.
Herbert hesitated as he had not told Betty that he had been visiting the commons every Saturday.
His mother told him that he would suggest the new kite the temptation was irresistible the kite was huge with gadgets. It would also cost a lot of money.
Returning home, he got late. Betty was vexed, “ whatever have you been Herb? I thought you were dead. Suffer’s waiting and everything “ She said.
He lied to her saying to meet some fellows and get talking.
Herbert asked Betty to go for a movie, but Betty was suspicious. She refused next Saturday. She went spying in the commons.
His mother told him Betty was there, But he did not care.
Betty was angry, “…..flying a kite, you a grownup man. Contemptible, I call it”.
Betty would not allow him to fly the kite, But Herbert was adamant. He said, he would “fly a kite as long as ever. I want to”
Betty called his mother a bitch. Herbert could not tolerate the quarrel went on hour after hour.
Betty screamed at him and Herbert shouted at her. They had filings before also. Both were obstinate. But this was the first serious row. They didn’t speak with each other.
Saturday had pouring rain. Betty was happy. Herbert did not show his disappointment. But after a fortnight the bad weather was cleared.
Mr Sunbury told his son that the new kite had come, and Herbert was excited. His father said Herbert could come and fly. But not if Betty kicks up a rumpus.
He told him a young fellow would fly for them. Herbert was seized with a pang of jealousy. He told his father not to let any strange touch the kite.
So the next day, after coming back from the city, he was changing his business clothes into slacks and old coats.
He was very excited. And so when Betty asked him where was he going. He did not hide and said he was going to fly the new kites.
Betty would not allow him. She was angry, She kicked him violently on the shin. Herbert caught her arms and threw her on the bed.
The box kite caused excitement though all were fall of excitement, Herbert could not fly the kite When he returned Betty had packed his bag. She told him, he needn’t come back.
Herbert took the bag and went outside the house. He went to his mother’s house. He said he was back to them.
Mrs. Sunbury was very happy to see her son back. She told him that his room was ready. She asked Samuel to get a quart of beer. Herbert relayed the story. His mother knew Betty was his wrong choice.
Herbert felt at ease in his own old bed and house. The three together had a long talk about the new kite and about Betty also. They discussed what Betly would do next.
His father said Herbert would have to provide for her. Mrs. Sunbury objects to this point; as to why would he provide her.
And that he had already given her the house and that she had trapped him into marrying her.
Herbert said he would give her all things as long as she left him alone. Herbert was feeling more comfortable every day. He settled like a dog in its own particular basket.
His mother was doing all his needs, mending his socks washing his clothes, and giving him to eat what he had always liked. Now he was having a feeling that he had never left.
Betty was a scrappy fort of cook. It had been fun at first, just like picnicking.
“I’d never made a bigger mistake in my life, than when I had left mum,” he said to his mother.
His salary was paid on Friday. The next day the doorbell rang. All these knew it must be Betty.
Mrs. Sunbury did not allow her to meet Herbert. Betty needed the week’s money. Mrs. Sunbury gave her thirty-five shillings. She needed more for the installments of the furniture. Betty was given the money and was asked to leave, the bell rang repeatedly, but they did not open the door.
The next day, the weather was fine with the right velocity in the wind. Herbert after failing two or three times got the knack of flying the kite - the big bow – kite. It soared into the air and up and up as he unreeled the wire. He had never had such a thrill in life. The kite flew up more than a yard.
The Sunbury concocted a letter for Herbert. In it, they mentioned that Betty would get a postal order for thirty – five shillings every Saturday. They also mentioned that installments of the furniture would also be given.
But there was a condition, that Betty would not molest Herbert or his family members.
Mrs. Sunbury did not agree, But Mr. Sunbury for once was at variance with Mrs. Sunbury. He said this was the right thing to do.
Now Saturday afternoons were of glory to Herbert, then one evening when he was walking back to from the station Betty waylaid him. Herbert was with his father. Betty wanted to talk with Herbert alone.
But Herbert said, ”there’s nothing you’ve got to say to me that dad can’t hear. Betty hesitated. Mr. Sunbury fidgeted. He did not know what to do.
Then Betly said that he should come back. She regarded that she had packed his bag. She was sorry, she said, she did it just to frighten him.
She also said that it was silly to quarrel over a kite. Herbert refused to go. He told her that she had done the right thing to him, to have returned him from the house. That he had enough of married life to last for a lifetime.
They walked away Betty did not attempt to convince him.
On the following Sunday, the three went to the chapel. Returning from the chapel. Herbert went to the coal shed, Where they kept the kite. Herbert could not stay away from the kite. He doted it.
In a minute, he refused back to his parents with a hatchet in hand. She’s smashed it. She did it with this he told his parents they gave a cry of consternation that the new box - kite the expensive one was in fragments.
They could not believe that Betty could have done this they said some fellows at the common were very snooty.
But Herbert was convinced that Betty did it. He would kill her.
Mrs. Sunbury was frightened by his terrible range, She said he would not do such things, this would be bad to murder. She would not allow him.
Mr. Sunbury went to Belly. Betty accepted that she had done it. Mr. Sunbury said he would not repeat her language. But she was proud to smash the kite.
Now Herbert refused to give her another penny. His father said, ‘she shall sue you’ Herbert did not care. He was determined not to give a single penny, not even the installment of the furniture.
His mother supported him. His father tried to make both of them understand that this would be a wrong step, Next week he did not give her allowance, nor the installment that was due,
Betty wrote saying that the furniture would be removed by them.
Herbert asked the furniture people to take away the furniture the piano had meant a lot to Betty. Herbert was happy that now, it was her turn to be sad.
It was unbearable for Betty. At the station, screamed and cursed him. She came to Sunbury’s place. She kept ringing the doorbell and irritated them.
Then one day, She threw a stone and broke the window pane. At last, she went to the magistrate court for help.
She complained that her husband was not providing her support.
Herbert received a summon from the court tried for their reconciliation, But Herbert resolutely refused.
Then the magistrate asked him to pay Betly 25 shilling per week. Herbert said he would not pay it. He said he won't after she had smashed the kite. He would go to prison but he would never pay her a penny.
The magistrate scolded him, saying he was a foolish man. He gave Herbert a week's time, If he did not pay he would be prisoned.
The writer says that this is how his friend Ned Preston came to know about Herbert and his strange ways.
Ned Preston tells the writes that Betty was a good grill, except that she was jealous of the kite. The kite used to make her in same.
And about Herbert, he said that “he isn’t a fool by any means”
Ned asked the writers, “what was there in kite flying that makes the damned fool so mad about it” the writers also had no answer. He said, ‘I don't know’ anything about kite flying.
Maughan said that perhaps it gave him a sense of power, as he watched the kite soaring toward the clouds.
He must be having mastery over the elements as he seems to bend the winds of heaven to his will.
The writer said about Herbert that it may be he identified himself with the kite flying so freely and so above all.
He said that it may be an escape from the monotony of life (Keat’s poem).
- The writer goes on to say that it may be some dim, confused way it represents an ideal of freedom and adventure. Maugham explains that once a man is bitten by the virus of the ideal, not all the kings, Doctors, and not all kings surgeons can get rid of it. Then the writer says all this is nonsense and fanciful. Maugham advises Ned to go to the psychologists who knew the nature of ‘Human animals’.
- The Kites ~ Somerset Maugham
- The Duchess and the Jeweller ~ Virginia Woolf
- The Basement Room ~ Graham Greene
- The vertical ladder ~ William Sansom
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