Maurice (novel)
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Maurice is a novel by E. M. Forster. A tale of homosexual love in early 20th century England, it follows Maurice Hall from his schooldays, through university and beyond. It was written from 1913 onwards. Although shown to selected friends, such as Christopher Isherwood, it was only published in 1971 after Forster's death.
The novel is remarkable for its time in describing same-sex love in a fulfillingly romantic but also funny way. Forster resisted publication because of public and legal attitudes to homosexuality — a note found on the manuscript read: "Publishable, but worth it?". However, by the time he died both British attitudes and law had changed. One thing that sets Maurice apart from modern gay fiction is the archetypal storyline and three principal characters, who represent different classes and forms of masculinity.
The novel was made into a film Maurice (1987), directed by James Ivory and starring James Wilby as Maurice, Hugh Grant as Clive and Rupert Graves as Alec.
[edit] Plot summary
Maurice (pronounced "Morris") is first met age 14 when a discussion about sex and women between him and his prep-school teacher takes place just before he progresses to his public school. This sets the tone for the rest of the novel, as Maurice feels isolated and removed from the adult's depiction of marriage with a woman as the goal in life. Moreover, his deep-seated contempt for his own (middle) class takes root here, as he perceives that his teacher does not have the capacity to see beyond the social norm to whatever may lie behind it.
When Maurice enters a university, he soon makes friends with fellow student Clive Durham, who introduces him to the ancient Greek writings about homosexual love. For two years they have a committed if exceedingly chaste romance, which they must keep hidden from everyone they know. It is obvious that Maurice hopes for more of their only platonic attachment, but slowly it becomes clear that Clive is basically equally attached to society's view of what is right and wrong. Clive intends to marry, even though Forster's prose leaves no doubts that his marriage will probably entail a mostly joyless sex life. Disappointed and hurt by Clive's rejection, Maurice seeks psychiatric counselling in a scene executed by Forster with glee, again mercilessly exposing the emotional limitedness and helplessness of society, as personified by Dr. Barry, who cannot even comprehend Maurice's situation. Dr. Barry simply dismissed Maurice's feelings as "rubbish."
Maurice grows older, leaves the university without taking his degree, adopts a gentleman's habits and dress, and gets a good job as a stockbroker. In his spare time, he helps run a Christian mission's boxing gym for working class boys in the East End.
At one point Maurice makes an appointment with a hypnotist, Mr. Lasker-Jones, to attempt to "cure" himself. Lasker-Jones refers to his condition as "congenital homosexuality" and claims a 50% success rate in "curing" gay men. After the first appointment it is clear that the therapy has failed, which could be seen as a symbolic foreshadowing of the eventual condemnation of reparative therapy by most major psychiatric associations in the late 1980's and 1990's.
Maurice's unfulfilled emotional longings get closer to being resolved when he is invited to stay at Penge at the Durhams'. There, at first unnoticed by him, lurks the young under game guardian Alec Scudder (just called Scudder for large passages of the book, to emphasize the class difference even more), who has noticed Maurice very well. He is spotted in the book at continually shorter intervals, as if furtively circling his prey, until one night the lad simply uses a ladder to climb to Maurice's bedroom, answering Maurice's call unheard by everyone else.
After their first night together, Scudder panics and pretends that he wants to blackmail Maurice. Maurice also panics and goes to Lasker-Jones one more time for help, and the hypnotist now seems a little more affirming. Knowing that the therapy is failing, he tells Maurice to consider living in a country that has adopted the Code of Napoleon, meaning one in which homosexual conduct is no longer criminal, such as France or Italy. Maurice wonders if homosexuality will ever be acceptable in England, to which Lasker-Jones replies "I doubt it. England has always been disinclined to accept human nature." He shows Lasker-Jones a letter from Scudder and asks if he'd have a case in court, but Lasker-Jones is unsure. Maurice has to figure this out on his own.
Maurice and Alec meet at the British Museum in London to discuss this issue. In a moving scene, they find out that they both are in love with each other, after Maurice calls himself Scudder when asked for his name. This transgression of class differences fortifies the bond between the two males instantly.
After another night of lying arm in arm together it becomes clear that Alec has a ticket for a trip to Argentina, from which he will not return. After initial resentment Maurice gives in and decides to at least give Alec a sendoff. He is taken aback when Alec is not there. In a hurry, he makes it for Penge, where the two lovers were supposed to have met before at the boathouse. He finds Alec there, who tells him that he sent a telegram to Maurice stating that he was to come to the boathouse. Alec intends to stay with Maurice, telling him that they "shan't be parted no more" and indeed the two are reunited there and "live happily ever after".
Maurice visits Clive one more time, for closure on their relationship, and outlines his vision of his future with Alec. Clive's helplessness at hearing what has transpired between Maurice and Alec leaves him speechless and unable to comprehend.
