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Shicong Li

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Maurice

by E.M. Forster

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Shicong Li said: " I see many readers—who probably have only read the novel once without looking back at the novel's early chapters—feel dissatisfied by the happy ending between Maurice and Alec, that Alec as a character feels sudden and appears out of nowhere, that th I see many readers—who probably have only read the novel once without looking back at the novel's early chapters—feel dissatisfied by the happy ending between Maurice and Alec, that Alec as a character feels sudden and appears out of nowhere, that their relationship is more lust than love. Well, it's easy to see why these readers feel that way, but after rereading the novel a few times, it's easy to see why they're also very wrong—if only they can see all the subtlety, foreshadows, parallels leading up to Alec from the first chapter of the book as someone who's most compatible with Maurice–definitely more so than Clive; that he's someone—or rather, an awakening—for whom Maurice had been unconsciously preparing from his childhood.

The way Forster depicts Maurice’s mental and physical attraction to and compatibility with Alec is VERY subtle, but here are some hints: 1) the friend from Maurice’s dream in the first part of the novel—a dream that practically anticipated who would be his true love—who’d sacrifice everything for Maurice, and who’d never be parted by distance or crossness; 2) the fact that the smartest, most intellectual speech Maurice has ever given is his defense for Alec against the Reverend; 3) Maurice’s first crush, George, a working class servant, whose departure broke Maurice’s heart and caused him to dream of the friend 4) Maurice's longing to embrace nature, darkness, and the Greenwood after Clive left him—and how his craving for them escalated whenever Alec appeared; 5) the harmonious atmosphere of nature Alec is associated with, especially when he appeared alongside Maurice—the pleasant apricot scent for instance; 6) lastly, how Maurice was capable of gaining insights into Alec’s mind—like the telepathic connection that led Maurice to Alec at their reunion—without even verbally communicating with him; 7) how Maurice was able to see through Alec and understand him just from holding his band or hearing his laughter and seeing him smile; 8) how easily Maurice was able to penetrate through Alec’s childishness both in the museum and the hotel without even a word.

It's up to you to be willing to find these hints and more of them. Some might, but some, sadly, won't be willing to. All I can say is that most of these hints have one thing in common: Maurice, someone who's not an intellectual, who's marked by having a low emotional intelligence, who's more of a "himbo," who, throughout his relationship with Clive never gained any insight into Clive's mind or understood his thought or words, somehow could read Alec and his thoughts like the back of his hand. Between Clive and Alec, the latter is the only person into whom Maurice was able to gain insights, almost like there was a sort of telepathic connection between them.

I think this conclusion alone dispels the misguided notion that Maurice is only physically attracted to Alec—that their relationship is solely based on lust. Because if Clive is more compatible with Maurice—if Maurice did love Clive more—how come Maurice never once gained such insight or "Third Eye" and became an intellectual person with a high EQ while he was with Clive? Simple: because there was no solid, lasting connection. Only Clive's incessant intellectual talk which Maurice never understood and only put up with out of fear of loneliness. And the fact that Alec is able to induce such an upgrade in Maurice's emotional intelligence while maintaining a strong sexual attraction in less than three weeks of meeting Maurice—compared to the three years of being with Clive—tells all you need to know about who is the right person for Maurice, and why Maurice has his happy ending.

My point is, people are right in the sense that Maurice and Alec are first and foremost attracted sexually to each other. But, just like how many gay men nowadays fall in love with each other based on a model of “f*ck first, ask questions later"—another reason why this novel is ahead of its time—Maurice is able to develop an attraction of mind and emotions (sentimentality) based on a physical attraction (lust). And through the blackmail misunderstanding, the 2nd conversion therapy, and the test of making a sacrifice (struggles), Forster’s equation for love is complete: “Only a struggle twists sentimentality and lust together into love.” The criteria needed to meet the definition of love between Maurice and Alec are all present. You just need to find them in Forster’ rather subtle writing.

Lastly, for a lot of you who doubt Maurice would overcome the class divide after running away with Alec.... Man, just read the book again, would you? The clues are also all there, laid out from the first chapter. The truth is, class is something Maurice hated all his life—even when young he was appalled by social expectations of him as a gentleman. As he grew up, though unconsciously, he was steadily steering away from it, a departure that was galvanized by Clive breaking up with him, and in the end there was no chance for him to mentally survive staying trapped in class all his life. In fact, didn't Maurice say that he'd be willing to give up class and money and relations to be with Clive? Would all of you detractors suddenly believe that Maurice would succeed in giving them all up for Clive vs for Alec? Hypocrisy.

The truth is, class is not important to Maurice—not in the end after he became the hero of the novel. He decided that he could not live his life fully without someone with whom he could share it without any pretense. Job and status did not mean a thing to him, not when he's found the friend from his childhood dream who could last his whole life. That's the note Forster wanted Maurice to end on: not another cheesy romantic finalized ending, but hope—isn't that why Forster dedicated Maurice to a happier year because of his hope for the future England? ...more "

Jan 07, 2023 10:33AM · see review