Mr. KNOW ALL
(By Somerset Maugham)
About the Author:
William Somerset Maugham was a British Playwright, Novelist and Short Story writer. He was one of the most popular writers of 20th Century. Many of his works were adopted as films.
Date of Birth: 25 January 1874
Date of death: 16 December 1965
Famous works: Of Human Bondage; The Moon and Sixpence; Cakes and Ale; The Razor’s Edge;
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Brief Summar/Character of Mr. Kelada:
Mr. Know All is a short story written by Somerset Maugham. Mr. Max Kelada is the central character in the story. In the story, the author travels in a ship. He happens to share a cabin with Mr. Kelada. Mr. Kelada is a talkative person. He is short, but sturdy. He is dark skinned. His hair is thin and long. His nose is bulgy. His eyes are laden. He does not appear like an English national. The writer dislikes his company. Mr. Kelada makes friendship with every one in the ship. He offers the author a cocktail. He behaves as if he knows about everything under the sky. Therefore, his fellow passengers nicknamed him ‘Mr. Know All’.
Mr. Kelada enters into an argument with Mr. Ramsay, regarding a chain worn by Mrs. Ramsay. While Mr. Ramsay says that the chain is made of fake pearls, Mr. Kelada argues that the pearls are natural and very valuable. They enter into a bet for 100 dollars. Mr.Kelada examines the chain. He appears to have found the pearls as natural. But, looking at Mrs. Ramsay’s pleading eyes, he does not reveal the truth. He accepts that the pearls are fake and loses 100 dollars to Mr. Ramsay. The next day, he receives an envelope containing 100 dollar note thrown into his cabin.
Thus, Mr. Kelada, who appears as a silly character in the beginning, due to his talkative nature, proves himself as a helping and kind-hearted person. The author starts liking him.
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Noojilla Srinivas
Lecturer in English
Govt. Degree College - Alamuru, A.P. India.
email: noojillasrinivas@gmail.com
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