1. The Paradox of Desire and Fulfillment:
* "The Circle": The protagonist, a successful artist, is initially captivated by a woman he believes embodies the ideal of beauty. However, he discovers her shallowness and superficiality, leading him to question the nature of desire and its relationship to fulfillment.
* "The Verger": The story explores the paradox of how a man's seemingly insignificant job as a church verger provides him with a sense of purpose and fulfillment that he never found in his previous life as a clergyman.
2. The Paradox of Appearances and Reality:
* "The Outstation": This story revolves around the contrast between the idyllic image of colonial life projected by the protagonist and the harsh reality of the environment and the people he interacts with.
* "The Painted Veil": The protagonist, a doctor, is initially blinded by his wife's beauty and social standing, only to realize the emptiness and shallowness beneath the surface.
3. The Paradox of Control and Freedom:
* "The Letter": This story presents the complexities of human relationships, where the characters are caught between their desires and the need to maintain appearances. Their attempts to control the situation often lead to unforeseen consequences.
* "The Unconquered": The protagonist, a woman in a remote colonial outpost, maintains her sense of independence and self-worth despite the limitations imposed by her environment.
4. The Paradox of Love and Self-Interest:
* "Rain": This story examines the conflicting desires of a missionary couple, where their attempts to impose their own values on the people they encounter create unforeseen problems and raise questions about the true nature of love.
* "The Human Element": The story explores the complex relationship between a man and a woman, revealing the interplay of love, desire, and self-interest.
5. The Paradox of Morality and Hypocrisy:
* "The Creative Impulse": The story explores the complexities of artistic creation, where the protagonist struggles with his moral principles while trying to express his creative impulses.
* "The Lotus Eater": This story presents a character who chooses to escape the complexities of life by retreating to a secluded island, raising questions about the nature of happiness and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.
6. The Paradox of Progress and Decay:
* "The Appointment in Samarra": This story explores the theme of fate and the inevitability of death, juxtaposing the illusion of progress with the reality of human mortality.
* "The Fall of the House of Usher": This story, though not a Maugham short story, is a famous example of how decay and darkness can exist beneath the surface of outward appearances.
Maugham masterfully employed these paradoxes in his stories to create nuanced characters and thought-provoking narratives. He invites readers to question their own assumptions and delve into the complexities of human experience, exposing the often-hidden contradictions that lie at the heart of life itself.