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Mr. Know All W. Somerset Maugham Literal Comprehension

Mr. Kelada, an Englishman traveling from San Francisco to Yokohama, annoyed the writer and other passengers with his talkative and know-it-all nature. During one dinner, Mr. Kelada overconfidently guessed the price of Mrs. Ramsay's pearl necklace but was proven wrong, losing $100 in a bet. The next day, an envelope with $100 was slipped under the writer's door, showing that even Mr. Kelada recognized when he had overstepped. Though helpful at times, Mr. Kelada's constant talking neglected whether others wanted to hear him, demonstrating the importance of understanding other perspectives.

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277 views2 pages

Mr. Know All W. Somerset Maugham Literal Comprehension

Mr. Kelada, an Englishman traveling from San Francisco to Yokohama, annoyed the writer and other passengers with his talkative and know-it-all nature. During one dinner, Mr. Kelada overconfidently guessed the price of Mrs. Ramsay's pearl necklace but was proven wrong, losing $100 in a bet. The next day, an envelope with $100 was slipped under the writer's door, showing that even Mr. Kelada recognized when he had overstepped. Though helpful at times, Mr. Kelada's constant talking neglected whether others wanted to hear him, demonstrating the importance of understanding other perspectives.

Uploaded by

ramesh pokhrel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mr.

Know All
W. Somerset Maugham
Literal Comprehension                                     
One day, the writer set out to make a 14 days long voyage from San Francisco to Yokohama.
The writer felt discomfort to share the cabin with Max Kelada because he thought that Max
Kelada was also an Englishman but he was a boring man. He had carried many strange things
and talked about different subjects. He said that he had a very good knowledge about everything.
So, he could be called Mr. Know all.
Mr. Kelada was very frank and friendly. He offered the writer a drink and booked a seat for
dinner for the writer. But he followed the writer all the time and ruined his fun.

Once Mr. Kelada, the writer, Mr. Ramsay and Mrs. Ramsay chanced to sit for lunch on a table.
Mr. Ramsay was in the American consular service posted at Kobe, Japan. He was going to Japan
with his beautiful wife. Mr. Ramsay has stayed one year alone in Japan living Mrs. Ramsay in
New York. The couple did not like the way Max Kelada behaved. While talking Mr. Kelada said
that he knew everything about jewelry and he was going to Japan for the business of pearl. At
that time, he saw a pearl chain worn by Mrs. Ramsay, he said that the chain was really original.
At that time Mr. Ramsay asked him to guess its price max Kelada confidently said that it would
cost 15000 dollars in general trade but on the 5th avenue,  it would even cost 30000 dollars. But
Mr. Ramsay laughed grimly and said that it was a duplicate pearl and they had bought it in a
departmental store for 18 dollars. But Max Kelada did not believe and they bet for 100 dollars.
At that time Mrs. Ramsay flushed Max Kelada took out his magnifying glass and examined the
pearl. Although he won the bet he also studied the psychology of Mrs. Ramsay and knew that
something wrong was going to happen in their relation. So, he announced that he was mistaken.
He gave 100 dollars to Mr. Ramsay. 
Next morning, when the writer was shaving, someone slipped envelope into their cabin. He gave
it to Mr. Kelada because it had been addressed to him. There was 100 dollars in the envelope.
Then the writer also did not hate him totally. 
Interpretation 
This story may be trying to tell us about the writer's attitude towards the black. Although Mr.
Kelada was helpful and friendly, he was hated by the writer and the couple Ramsays. The writer
also teaches us not to be so chatty like Max Kelada without understanding the view of the
listeners and save people from trouble without caring personal benefit or selfishness. He also
teaches us to apply skepticism power even on very close, relatives who are living far from us. 

Critical Thinking (But don't write points in exam, write in paragraphs)

After reading this story, we can find some disagreeable points. 


i)                    Is a passenger allowed to carry all kinds of wines with him? 
ii)                  Does anyone dislike the other because of color discrimination? 
iii)                Does anyone give up his money even after winning the bet? 
iv)                Can we find such Mr. Know all in this world? 
v)                  Don't we find a frank and friendly person good during a long journey? 
vi)                Should a husband really suspect on the behavior of his wife?
So, I don't totally agree with the writer. 
Assimilation 
This story taught me many useful things. Before I read the story, I used to make friendship with
as many people as I met. I enjoyed talking with them about what I know. But I did not study their
view whether they liked my talk to no. they may have hated me in the lack of my sincerity. I also
offered people things while making a long journey but I got no benefit. No I will try to save
myself from such events.

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