Liza of Lambeth

(1897) by W.Somerset
Maugham
CREATE BY VERONIKA KLIMENKO
Liza of WAS W. SOMERSET
Lambeth MAUGHAM'S

(1897) first novel, which he wrote

while he was a medical student
and obstetric clerk at St
Thomas's Hospital in Lambeth.
IT DEPICTS THE SHORT LIFE
AND DEATH OF LIZA KEMP, AN
18-YEAR-OLD FACTORY
WORKER WHO LIVES WITH HER
AGING MOTHER IN LAMBETH.
 The novel deals with the subject of adultery among the
working class. Liza Kemp, an attractive 18 year-old factory
worker, shares a room with her widowed alcoholic mother
of thirteen children in Lambeth. Although Liza lives and
works in a depressing overpopulated slum environment
full of domestic and street violence, boredom, and
ABOUT NOVEL
vulgarity, she maintains high spirits. At the outset of the
novel she is described as an attractive young girl admired
for her beauty and charming grace.
THE MAIN
CHARACTER OF
THE NOVEL, LIZA,
‘A YOUNG GIRL OF
ABOUT EIGHTEEN’,
SEEMS DESTINED
TO FOLLOW IN
THE FOOTSTEPS
OF THE PARENTS
OF LAMBETH.
 LIZA KEMP IS ONE OF THE
PRETTIEST GIRLS IN LAMBETH. SHE
WORKS AS A LABOUR GIRL IN A
LOCAL FACTORY AND THEN
COMES HOME TO A SICK, NAGGING
MOTHER WHO NEVER HAS A KIND
WORD TO SAY TO HER. TOM IS A
YOUNG, HONEST MAN, MADLY IN
LOVE WITH LIZA. SHE, HOWEVER,
ONLY LOOKS UPON HIM AS A
FRIEND AND. HER GOOD FRIEND
SALLY IS EXCITED ABOUT GOING
ON A BOAT FAIR WITH HER
BOYFRIEND AND URGES LIZA TO
ACCOMPANY THEM.
TOM IS A YOUNG, HONEST MAN, MADLY IN LOVE WITH LIZA.
SHE, HOWEVER, ONLY LOOKS UPON HIM AS A FRIEND AND.
HER GOOD FRIEND SALLY IS EXCITED ABOUT GOING ON A
BOAT FAIR WITH HER BOYFRIEND AND URGES LIZA TO
ACCOMPANY THEM. TOM IS WILLING TO PAY FOR HER, BUT
LIZA DOESN’T THINK IT APPROPRIATE THAT SHE SHOULD
TAKE FAVOURS FROM SOMEONE SHE HAS NO INTENTION OF
MARRYING. TOM REASSURES HER THAT HE’S FINE EVEN IF
LIZA IS NOT INTERESTED FOR THE MOMENT.
THE REASON FOR LISA’S HAPPINESS IS THE PRESENCE OF
JIM BLACKESTON, A HANDSOME MAN WHO HAS RECENTLY
COME TO STAY IN HER NEIGHBOURHOOD. JIM IS MARRIED
WITH AN IMPOSING LOOKING WOMAN AND THREE
CHILDREN. LIZA FEELS AN INSTANT ATTRACTION TOWARDS
HIM. IGNORING TOM, LIZA TRIES HER BEST TO BE AROUND
JIM. WHEN JIM’S WIFE SENSES THAT HER HUSBAND MIGHT
BE LEAVING HER FOR GOOD, SHE UNLEASHES HER ANGER
ON LIZA, GIVING HER A FATAL BEATING IN FULL PUBLIC
VIEW. JIM BLACKESTON IS PAINED BY LIZA’S DEATH, AND IN
ANGER BEATS UP HIS WIFE.
 MAUGHAM' S WORK
SUGGESTS THAT
ALCOHOL ABUSE WAS
WIDESPREAD AT THE
TIME, DESPITE THE
ASPIRATIONS OF THE
LIZA OF TEMPERANCE
LAMBETH MOVEMENT AND THE
(1897) DEPICTIONS OF
ALCOHOL ABUSE.
Thank you for
attention!