2。1 Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory 4

2。2 Previous Studies on the Application of Maslow's Need Hierarchy Theory to the Analysis of Literary Works 5

2。3 Previous Studies on William Somerset Maugham and The Painted Veil 5

3。 Kitty’s Initial Defective Image in The Painted Veil 7

3。1 Kitty’s Desire for Amusement 7

3。2 Kitty’s Desire for Superiority 8

3。3 Kitty’s Ignorance of Love 9

3。4 Kitty’s Loss of Independence in Marriage 9

4。 Kitty’s Growth and Self-actualization 11

4。1 Kitty’s Pursuit of Safety 11

4。2 Kitty’s Pursuit of Love and Belongings 12

4。2。1 Kitty’s Reflection on Her Love Affair with Her Lover 12

4。2。2 Kitty’s Treasure of Friendship with Waddington 13

4。2。3 Kitty’s Desire for Belongings: Home and Identity 14

4。3 Kitty’s Pursuit of Esteem 15

4。4 Kitty’s Pursuit of Self-actualization 16

4。4。1 Kitty’s Sense of Self-fulfillment in Her Service in Convent 16

4。4。2 Kitty’s Desire for Freedom 17

5。 Conclusion 19

References 20

1。 Introduction

1。1 Brief Introduction of William Somerset Maugham and The Painted Veil

William Somerset Maugham(1874-1965) was among the most popular writers of his era and reputedly the highest paid author during the 1930s。 He also was called as the British Maupassant。George Orwell, a famous English novelist, once wrote in an autobiographical sketch which he sent to the editors of Twentieth Century Authors that Maugham was the modern writer who has influenced him the most。 However, some critics don’t approve of his works and regard him as “in the very first row of the second-raters” because of his lack of figure of speech and language。 (Morgan, 1984, p。 501)About being criticized by some critics, Maugham thought writers’ duty is to describe the facts and let readers interpret by themselves。 They can decide what to do with the article and should not be encouraged to solve problems。 Maugham defined the difference between the writer and social reformer or the public intellectuals。 He was also against the novel as a sermon。 He believed good novels can speak by itself and don't need others to embellish or give significance。论文网

While looking at Maugham’s works, it can be found that Maugham has many works which cover various fields of literature except poetry。 Throughout his life, Maugham wrote 20 long novels, more than one hundred short stories, 30 plays in addition to memoirs, a variety of literary criticism。 His writing style , especially of his long and short stories, is simple and clear。 The personality of characters is bright and the plots are full of ups and downs。 In his process of writing, the understanding of human nature and exposition of the weakness of human nature have become the focus。 And this may result from Maugham's growth environment。 When he was 8 years old, his mother’s death left Maugham traumatized。 What’s worse, 2 years later, his father also passed away。 He was then sent to his uncle Henry Maugham who was cold and cruel to Maugham。 When he was in The King’s School。 he was teased for his bad English and his short stature。 At sixteen, Maugham dropped out The King’s School and studied literature at Heidelberg University where Maugham had a sexual affair with John Ellingham Brooks。 Nonetheless, he also had affairs with many women。 Among these one is Syrie Wellcome whom he finally married。 However, their marriage did not last long。(Wikipedia contributions, 2016)