Maurice (novel)

Maurice (novel). A posthumously published novel by the English writer E. M. Forster, completed in 1914 but released only in 1971, a year after the author's death. Set in early 20th-century England, it follows the emotional and sexual awakening of its protagonist, Maurice Hall, as he grapples with his homosexuality in a repressive Edwardian society. The novel is a significant work in LGBT literature for its explicit and ultimately hopeful portrayal of a same-sex relationship, contrasting sharply with the tragic conclusions common in earlier works like those by Oscar Wilde.

Background and publication history

E. M. Forster began writing the novel in 1913, inspired by a visit to the poet Edward Carpenter and his partner George Merrill at their home in Millthorpe. Forster was deeply affected by the example of their open, domestic life, which provided a model for a possible happy ending. He completed the final draft in 1914 but, fearing public scandal and legal repercussions under laws like the Labouchere Amendment, which criminalized "gross indecency," chose not to publish it during his lifetime. Forster shared the manuscript only with close friends, including the writer Christopher Isherwood, and stipulated it should be published posthumously. It was finally released in 1971 by Edward Arnold, coinciding with a period of significant social change following the 1967 Sexual Offences Act in the United Kingdom.

Plot summary

The narrative traces the life of Maurice Hall from his adolescence in the English countryside through his education at Cambridge University. At Cambridge, he forms a deep but platonic romantic friendship with Clive Durham, an aristocratic student who introduces him to the ideals of Greek love. After Clive abruptly renounces his homosexual feelings and enters a conventional marriage, Maurice is plunged into despair. His psychological turmoil leads him to seek help from a hypnotist, Mr. Lasker Jones, with little success. A resolution arrives when Maurice meets Alec Scudder, the gamekeeper on Clive's estate, Pendersleigh Park. Despite vast differences in social class, the two embark on a physical and emotional affair. The novel concludes with Maurice abandoning his former life to be with Alec, choosing a future together outside the confines of British society.

Themes and analysis

The central theme is the struggle for homosexual identity and fulfillment against the oppressive forces of Edwardian morality, class structure, and public school ethos. Forster contrasts the intellectual, neo-Platonic idealism of Cambridge University with the visceral, cross-class passion Maurice finds with Alec, suggesting true happiness requires rejecting societal norms. The novel critiques the British establishment, including institutions like the Church of England and the legal system, which force homosexuality into secrecy. The ending, a rare "happy ending" for its time, represents a radical act of wish-fulfillment and a direct challenge to the tragic fate of figures like Oscar Wilde. It also explores the intersection of sexuality with social class, as the relationship between Maurice and Alec transgresses rigid Edwardian hierarchies.

Characters

* Maurice Hall: The protagonist, a middle-class stockbroker who undergoes a painful journey to self-acceptance. * Clive Durham: An aristocratic friend and first love of Maurice at Cambridge University; he later embraces heterosexual conformity. * Alec Scudder: The working-class gamekeeper at Pendersleigh Park who becomes Maurice's lover, representing a connection to nature and authentic feeling. * Mrs. Hall: Maurice's mother, embodying conventional Edwardian domestic expectations. * Mr. Lasker Jones: A hypnotist Maurice consults in an attempt to "cure" his homosexuality. * Dr. Barry: A family doctor who gives Maurice misguided advice about his condition. * Anne Woods: The woman Clive Durham marries, representing the acceptable social path Maurice rejects.

Critical reception and legacy

Upon its 1971 release, the novel received mixed reviews; some critics found its prose dated but acknowledged its historical courage and emotional power. It quickly became a landmark in LGBT literature and a key text for scholars studying the history of sexuality, queer theory, and the works of E. M. Forster. The novel's publication influenced a generation of writers, including those associated with the Gay Liberation Front. Its adaptation into a critically acclaimed 1987 film by Merchant Ivory Productions, directed by James Ivory and starring James Wilby and Hugh Grant, introduced the story to a wider audience. Today, Maurice is celebrated as a pioneering and affirmative work that dared to imagine a future for homosexual love long before such portrayers were socially or legally acceptable.

Category:1971 British novels Category:Novels by E. M. Forster Category:LGBT-related novels