Genre
Fiction
Setting and Context
Early twentieth-century England
Narrator and Point of View
The novel is written from Maurice's point of view and follows him from elementary prep school through university.
Tone and Mood
The tone is principally one of frustration for Maurice, and also of isolation from society and is expectations.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Maurice is the protagonist; society's expectations that men will marry women is his antagonist.
Major Conflict
There is a conflict between Maurice and Clive towards the end of their two year relationship; Maurice hopes that it will continue, but it becomes clear that Clive intends to marry a woman.
Climax
Alec, after telling Maurice that he is going to go to Argentina and end their relationship, he changes his mind. He is going to stay with Maurice for ever and declares that they will never again be apart.
Foreshadowing
Maurice realizes that his therapy is not working and this foreshadows the realization that he is going to have to go to a country where homosexuality is not illegal because he is finally admitting his sexuality to himself.
Understatement
Forster says that Maurice is nervous about his first encounter with Alec, which is an understatement because he goes into a full blown panic, and refuses to see or speak to him.
Allusions
The narrative alludes to the Ancient Greek writings about same sex love which Maurice is introduced to by Clive.
Imagery
N/A
Paradox
The therapy that Maurice is having is intended to make him push aside his homosexuality but it actually has the opposite effect and confirms for him his feelings about Alec.
Parallelism
There is a parallel between Maurice deciding to give up his social status in order to be with Alec, and Clive cutting off all ties with him.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A
