SSRScientific and Social Research2661-43322981-9946Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.10.26689/ssr.v6i1.5777ArticleThe Seemingly Abnormal Self-Portraits: A Psychoanalytic Analysis of Three of Maugham’s Novelshttps://artdesignp.com/journal/SSR/6/1/10.26689/ssr.v6i1.5777LiGuyu2024612024-01-20The characters in William Somerset Maugham’s novels seem to be deviant, but their behaviors are drivenby various motivations. The complexity of their characters is attributed to many reasons and can be explained throughpsychoanalysis. Herbert in The Kite embodies the phenomenon of “inferiority and overcompensation,” Lisa in Lisa of Lambeth reflects the phenomenon of “self-defense mechanism,” and Kitty in The Painted Veil represents the phenomenonof “archetype,” based on the theories of psychoanalysis. The three novels serve as Maugham’s seemingly abnormal self-portraits, reflecting his complex and contradictory views of human nature. These perspectives influenced his personal lifeand sparked varied opinions among readers. Nevertheless, there are valuable psychological lessons that modern readerscan learn from Maugham’s novels.

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