The Razor's Edge Theme

Purpose in Life
Like any great author, every author writes for a purpose or overall message that the reader should grasp. The purpose in many cases might be to never give up or that everyone has happiness in life. In The Razor’s Edge by William S. Maugham intends for the hopeless romantic, Larry, to find the true meaning of his life in such a meaningless world. Larry struggles internally both mentally and spiritually in finding what truly matters in life. Larry’s ambition throughout the novel will help him find who he has always been predestined to be.
Larry Darrell is a young man that is intensely described in the beginning of the book. Physically, Larry is tall, tan, and wiry. Maugham spends great attention to Larry’s eyes. Maugham states on page 23, “His eyes were peculiar...so dark that the iris made one color with the pupi.” The darkness of Larry’s eyes portray the darkness and the pain that he endures in his life. It is becoming painful for

Larry is engaged to Isabel, but their engagement is in stand-still due to Larry’s lack of self-worth. After witnessing traumatic events in war, people notice a drastic change in Larry. He fought in the war and has been different since he came back, he really loves Isabel, and all he wants to do is “Loaf” (37). Larry explains to Isabel that while he was on break from fighting in the war, he found peace in Paris. The “loafing” that Larry does wasn’t only to find peace, but to give Isabel a chance to find someone with a life plan. Isabel primarily focuses on money and her social status. Her relationship with Larry makes her less accepted by her family. Larry consequently has no desire to work, but wants to learn and relax. Larry loves Isabel enough to let her go, so she has a secure future. The doubtfulness in his engagement shows that he wants to be in love, but it becomes questionable when he isn’t capable of providing for