The Ant and the Grasshopper by W. Somerset Maugham
In The Ant and the Grasshopper by W. Somerset Maugham we have the theme of justice, trust, fear, morality, embarrassment, happiness and struggle. Taken from his Collected Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Maugham may be exploring the theme of justice or rather the lack of it. George Ramsey has worked all his life and has set aside some money to provide for his retirement. He has been diligent and astute unlike his brother Tom. However rather than being satisfied that he will have a peaceful retirement George can’t believe that Tom has inherited a half a million pounds. There is a sense that George feels as though there has been an injustice done. It is very much the ant (George) versus the grasshopper (Tom). Just as the grasshopper made no provisions for the winter. Tom too made no provisions for his future though he still appears to have landed on his feet. The narrator’s reaction to Tom’s success in life is also interesting as it mirrors his feelings towards the ant. Whether it is insensitive of the narrator to laugh there is no disputing that he likes and supports Tom Ramsey. Something that is noticeable by the fact that the narrator attends dinners with Tom. If anything the narrator has been true throughout the story favouring the grasshopper over the ant.
It is also clear to the reader that George has struggled through life. Looking after his wife and family and at the same time making sure that he has a substantial pension to help him in retirement. Tom on the other hand has not struggled at all. He has gone from one calamity to another and has often been bailed out of trouble by George due to George’s fear of embarrassment. If anything George lives his life to a moral code while Tom on the other hand appears to live his life recklessly. It is also noticeable that Tom shows George no allegiance. His number one concern is living a good life, one that is subsidised by others. Regardless of the individual Tom’s number one concern is himself and his own happiness. He has borrowed money off not only George but others too and never paid any of the money back. To an outsider Tom might be considered to be untrustworthy. However he is charming enough that people find it easy to lend him money even though they may never get the money back. In modern terms Tom might be considered, rightly or wrongly, to be a lovable rogue or scoundrel. A man who charms people by deception yet the same people can’t help but like Tom’s character.
Tom also appears to have remarried due to the fact that his new wife is wealthy. There is no sense that he has changed his ways and has married for love. At all stages in the story the most important person in Tom’s life is Tom himself. He acts selfishly without consideration for others. However some critics may suggest that though Tom may be lax in morals he is only living his life as he wishes to live it. Something that most people would long to do. Tom is not confined or restricted to society’s views or morals. He is his own man even if he may be morally corrupt. In reality there are also times in the story in whereby Tom is simply playing on George’s fears. Which might suggest to some that the problem lies with George and not Tom. George at any stage of the story, should he have overcome any sense of embarrassment, could have refused Tom assistance. Tom does not mind embarrassing himself in order to profit while George looks upon some of Tom’s actions as being an embarrassment to him.
There is also no doubting that the happiest character in the story is Tom. Not only because he has inherited half a million pounds but because he has lived his life as he wants to. Even if that life has been at the expense of others. It is also ironic that though Tom has made no significant contribution to society he at the end of the story is the most successful of all the characters. That is if success is gauged by monetary worth. Which appears to be how George evaluates success. Something that becomes clear to the reader when George discusses with the narrator how much money he will have when he retires. This may be important as it suggests that both George and Tom have one thing in common. A love for money. Though money is a necessity in life both men are also aware of its power and its ability to influence others. George may feel as though he will be placed on a pedestal by others when he retires due to the fact that he has set aside so much money while Tom is obviously aware of the power of money. He has used money, other people’s money, to get what he wants in life.
Really helpful to me. Nice vocabulary and conclusions
Thanks for the comment Roshni. It’s nice to know that you got some benefit from the post.
Thanks it is very useful and good.
Thanks for the comment Naveen. It’s nice to know that you got some benefit from the post.
It’s very useful to me for my last minute of examination
Thanks for the comment Anandhavarshini. Good luck with your examination.
Hi. Thanks a lot. It helped me very much.
It’s really helpful to understand the whole thing before exam day.. and I’m glad that I found it..thank you so much
Thanks for the comment Nusrat. I’m glad that you found the post helpful. Good luck with your exam.
What was the name of the casino that Tom and Cronshaw went to with five hundred pounds?
Great info! Really helpful for my exams! Also can you please tell what would be the theme and the moral of the story?
Thanks for the comment Shweta. The central theme of the story would be morality. The moral of the story would be that not everyone lives their life the same and no matter how good a person may be or how right they may do things there will always be others who prosper that bit more.
Thanks!
What would be the moral of this story?
Really nice.
This is very useful for my paper presentation. Thank you so much…
What’s is the contrast used in the short story? Also please explain the Irony, twist, and allusion, how Maugham uses it?
Tom Ramsay’s age?
Can you explain why the narrator could not stop laughing?
Who was a black sheep in Ramsey’s family? Why?
Tom would have been considered to be the black sheep in the Ramsey family as he did not live his life to society’s (or George’s) expectations.
This story I have in my school book, so I just wanted to ask that, “The story disproves the message conveyed by the fable The Ant and the Grasshopper. Discuss”
Can you give me the summary of this story not more than 80 words now only please. Tomorrow is my exam.
It very helpful for my model semester examination
Very nice explanation thank you.
Useful.
Hi. I’m a South Korean student preparing for a peer-teaching activity at school. I need to think of a activity to do with my friends on this writing, so I thought of doing a debate. The topic will be
“If you could choose to be either Tom or George, who would you choose to be and why?”
I wanted to ask you if you had to choose a side, which side you will choose.
I’d love it if you could give me some reasons. (doesn’t need to be long)
Thanks!! Loved your post!
PS.I love your profile image! One of my favorite characters 🙂
(TinTin)
Hi SunQ. I think I’d like to be Tom as he appears to land on his feet all the time without having to do much. Though there can be downfalls to this. One of which is Tom may not appreciate all he has and as a character in the story he doesn’t really change. George deserves to have happiness yet it is Tom who appears to be happy. However Tom has a habit of squandering his ‘happiness.’ Something I’m sure he will do again.
Why George does not like ants in this story? I have read this and find it helpful but plz help me in this question plz do reply.
I don’t recall George not liking ants but if it’s true it might be because symbolically he is like an ant (versus grasshopper) and has not achieved what Tom (grasshopper) has achieved.
George has achieved very little despite working all his life. While Tom appears to have the luxuries of life handed to him on a plate.
what the theme of the strory?
Hello Dermot, I was reading about Anton Chekov’s life, then suddenly remembered Somerset Maugham who was my favorite school time author. And then remembered this story which was my favorite of the Maugham stories. I googled it and came across your write up. First of all, I am very impressed at how you have distilled the story. Secondly, you are replying to every comment and helping the readers, who happen to be students, in the best way you can. Just wanted to say thanks; keep up the good work!
It’s really helpful but can you help me with this question
How did the narrator show his dislike for the ant as a child? To what does he attribute this?
Nice explanation.
Is the most useful analysis.
It was very helpful for me
What did Tom Ramsay do when his money was exhausted?
Even though Tom was a reckless person,people still liked him. Why?
Hey … Tom’s character is great because he’s happiest man alive in the story….. George is good for the sake of the truth…..and Tom’s character just resembles to the “charlie harper”….from the tv show “two and a half men”……and really thank you for providing this content it helped a lot for last minute exam preparation…!!!
i liked the story………
the ending turned out be funny!
it’s having good vocabulary…….
I need the character sketch of Tom ramsay. Can u give?? Please
Thanks for the summary. The information helped me a lot. I received a great benefit from this post. I am glad that your effort was helpful to me.
thank u so much
What was Tom’s personality??
The story disproves the message conveyed by fable. Discuss
What should we write if it asks whether the title of the story is an appropriate one or not.
What a nice story
Really this story is full of hard words the ant works continuously and the grasshopper sings but the ending of this story is good.Grasshopper sings and teases ants but at last the ants lose and the grasshopper wins. You know that it is my favourite story. In this story the author wants to learn us that hard work is not always rewarded. We should work hard with very very good mind hallo and bye…
What would be the significance of the title (how the title relates to and justifies the theme of the story)
What is the location/setting of the story
I think it’s London. I know it’s set in England and I’m nearly sure it’s London.
I love this story very much.
Thanku so much your analyses of this story helped me a lot. Actually I have always felt a feeling of sympathy towards grasshopper in the original fable and because of that reason I really liked this story. In my opinion it is not the hard work but the smart work we do that makes us successful and I think Tom is not that bad of a character he just lives his life in his own way and has his own rules and definition of morality.
Very useful thank you
Hi Dermot, how are you? I’m very happy to read your article about Maugham’s The ant and the grasshopper. your article is very interesting. And may I ask about the meaning/semantic peculiarities of Maugham’s The ant and the grasshopper? The Paradox of Maugham’s The ant and the grasshopper? Why Maugham belongs to the age of Paradox? Thank you very much Dermot
It’s really helpful for my home work during CORONA lockdown
What was Tom’s opinion on spending money?
It’s been a while since I read the story but Tom liked spending money.
Why was george angry at the end?
Hi
I have a Q
what’s the mood and the tone in the story ?
and who are the protagonist and the antagonist?
I’m not sure about the mood and tone but George is the protagonist. While Tom is the antagonist.
I did not understand any thing .
Hi! Would you say the point of view of the story is?
Thanks for helping us students really appreciated work
I really enjoyed this story, however, I can’t identify the purpose properly. What is the purpose of this story?
Can u say me the answer how did the narroter show his dislike as a child