On a Chinese Screen

Name: On a Chinese Screen
Author: William Somerset Maugham

The work presents a vivid portrayal of a Chinese city, capturing its sights, sounds, and atmosphere through a series of observations. The narrative begins at the city's gate, where dilapidated hovels and a procession of camels set the scene. The author describes the local populace, including children chasing a dog and two gentlemen engaged in a leisurely conversation while showcasing their pet birds. The juxtaposition of the mundane and the exotic is evident as the characters navigate the bustling streets filled with hawkers and coolies. The architecture reflects a blend of elegance and decay, with shops adorned in intricate designs, hinting at a rich cultural history. The imagery evokes a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era, as the narrator imagines the wares sold within the shops. The arrival of a Peking cart, drawn by a mule, introduces an element of mystery, suggesting the presence of a scholar or a singing girl, both emblematic of the cultural depth of the region. As the sun sets, the atmosphere becomes more enchanting, leaving the reader with a sense of wonder about the lives and stories hidden within the city's shadows. The work encapsulates the complexity of life in this setting, blending the ordinary with the extraordinary.

By William Somerset Maugham · First published 1922 · Genre: Travel literature, Non-fiction, Cultural exploration · 58 chapters · 57,556 words

First lines

You come to the row of hovels that leads to the gate of the city. They are built of dried mud and so dilapidated that you feel a breath of wind will lay them flat upon the dusty earth from which they have been made. A string of camels, heavily laden, steps warily past you. They wear the disdainful air of profiteers forced to traverse a world in which many people are not so rich as they. A little crowd, tattered in their blue clothes, is gathered about the gate and it scatters as a youth in a pointed cap gallops up on a Mongolian pony. A band of children are chasing a lame dog and they throw clods of mud at it. Two stout gentlemen in long black gowns of figured silk and silk jackets stand talking to one another. Each holds a little stick, perched on which, with a string attached to its leg, is a little bird. They have brought out their pets for an airing and in friendly fashion compare their merits.

What this Textopian page supports

On a Chinese Screen is listed on Textopian as a novel by William Somerset Maugham, dated 1922 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: William Somerset Maugham
Date: 1922 CE
Language: English
Genres: Travel literature, Non-fiction, Cultural exploration, Historical
Length: 57,556 words
Structure: 58 chapters, 691 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for On a Chinese Screen by William Somerset Maugham
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering On a Chinese Screen?
How does this novel by William Somerset Maugham fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Travel literature first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Travel literature — The book consists of notes Maugham made during his journey through China in 1919-1920, thus closely fitting into the genre of Travel literature.
Non-fiction — Given that the book captures the author's real-life observations and experiences during his visit to China, it falls under the Non-fiction genre.
Cultural exploration — Maugham's writing delves into the cultural and social landscape of China with an ethnographic interest, placing it in the cultural exploration genre.
Historical — Since 'On a Chinese Screen' provides detailed descriptions of life and society in early 20th century China, it also attaches to the Historical genre.