This novel was Maugham's favorite, partly because of the person upon whom he fashioned Rosie, but also because of the opportunity to set forth his belief that honest emotions and good will are more important than good manners and "playing by the rules" of society. As Maugham once wrote, "I prefer a loose woman to a selfish one and a wanton to a fool." Rosie is certainly loose and wanton, but she is unselfish and no fool. Indeed, her sexual generosity causes much of the criticism that is leveled at her by "society" people.
As the second Mrs. Driffield says of her, "I don't wish to seem spiteful, but I'm afraid I don't think that she can have been a very nice person." This statement elicits from the narrator a clear thematic comment: That's where.....
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