The Razor’s Edge

Larry is the protagonist of the novel. After serving as an aviator in World War I, he returns home to Chicago suffering from “delayed shock,” what we might now call PTSD. Instead of marrying his… read analysis of Larry

Isabel is Larry’s fiancé at the beginning of the book, but she breaks off the engagement when it becomes clear that Larry doesn’t plan to move back to Chicago, settle down, find a well-paying… read analysis of Isabel

Elliott is Isabel’s uncle, Mrs. Bradley’s brother, and an acquaintance of Somerset. Somerset describes Elliott as an unapologetic snob. While Larry seeks meaning through spiritual insight, Elliott thinks the meaning of life… read analysis of Elliott

Somerset is the novel’s narrator and shares a name with the novel’s author, Somerset Maugham. He gradually becomes acquainted with each of the main characters in the novel and serves as a kind of impartial… read analysis of Somerset

Sophie is a childhood friend of Larry, Isabel, and Gray from Chicago. Not long after she gets married, her husband and baby are killed by a drunk driver. Sophie falls into despair and… read analysis of Sophie Macdonald

Suzanne Rouvier is an acquaintance of Somerset. Somerset is surprised to learn that Suzanne also knows Larry. Larry and Suzanne once spent a month together—along with Suzanne’s daughter Odette—in the French countryside, during… read analysis of Suzanne Rouvier

Louisa Bradley is Elliott’s sister and Isabel’s mother. She is often referred to as Mrs. Bradley in the novel. Though Louisa’s husband was a diplomat before he died and Louisa spent time in… read analysis of Louisa Bradley

Dr. Nelson is Larry’s guardian, who raised Larry after Larry’s mother died in childbirth and his father died 12 years before the events of the novel unfold. Dr. Nelson says that he was never… read analysis of Dr. Nelson

Patsy is Larry’s closest friend in the air corps during World War I, and Patsy dies while trying to save Larry’s life. In part due to witnessing Patsy’s death, Larry comes back from the… read analysis of Patsy

Larry meets Kosti when he goes to work in a mine in the north of France. Kosti is an ex-officer in the Polish military who was kicked out of the military after he was caught… read analysis of Kosti

Shri Ganesha operates the ashram where Larry lives for two years in Travancore, India. Larry says that Shri Ganesha teaches by being a model of what Larry calls “saintliness” rather than through direct instruction. Larry… read analysis of Shri Ganesha

Frau Becker is the wife of Becker, who gives Larry and Kosti work when they travel through Germany and arrive at his farm. Kosti tells Larry that he is interested in Frau Becker, but… read analysis of Frau Becker

Ellie is the daughter-in-law of Becker, who gives Larry and Kosti work on his farm. Ellie’s husband died during World War I, and she lives in Becker’s house with her children. One night, she… read analysis of Ellie

Father Ensheim is a Benedictine monk who is a fellow boarder at the house where Larry stays in Bonn. Father Ensheim is a former philosophy teacher, and he and Larry discuss philosophy together. Sensing Larry’s… read analysis of Father Ensheim