“The Fall of Edward Bernard” by William Somerset Maugham is a story based on the differences between Eastern and Western cultures. The story involves two childhood friends who fall in love with the same girl. Edward Bernard and Bateman Hunter are friends and both fall in love with Isabel Longstaffe. Isabel is an attractive young woman who chooses Edward over Bateman. When Edward’s father loses his fortune, Edward visits a family friend, Braunschmidt, in Tahiti to learn about business. Edward falls in love with Tahiti and vows never to return to Chicago.
Bateman becomes impatient and visits Tahiti to convince Edward to get back to Chicago. The persuasion fell on Edward’s deaf ears because he seems to have made up his mind. The idea of staying at Tahiti somehow exults Bateman because he will get an opportunity to marry Isabel. The author of the story uses sarcasm to paint Eastern culture in a good light. Western people perceive eastern culture as outdated and not pleasing. Similarly, Bateman and Isabel believe that Edward is wasting away in Tahiti.
Maugham uses irony in the title of the story to emphasize the central idea behind the narrative. Edward seems to be happy and enjoying Eastern values and culture while at home people believe he is falling. Bateman is an embodiment of Western culture where people value wealth and power. On the other hand, Eastern culture prefers a hassle-free way of life where people value others.
