Maurice: Chapter 11 Summary & Analysis

After this crisis, Maurice “becomes a man.” He now has the highest gift to offer. No one may want his love, but he cannot bring himself to be ashamed of it because it’s who he is, animating his body and soul. He has awoken too late to experience true happiness but can feel an austere kind of joy. As the term goes on, to try to save himself and Durham from unnecessary pain, Maurice decides to speak to Durham. He hopes to say that he loves him in the same way, but each time Maurice tries, Durham will leave with others, or invent an excuse to avoid a meal together, and the conversation won’t happen. Eventually, Maurice finds an opportunity to be alone with Durham in his room.

“I’m in Hell,” Maurice says. “Oh, you’ll get out,” Durham responds. Durham apologizes. He says he thought their relationship was something else, and he’s sorry to have insulted Maurice. I love you, Maurice says. Durham laughs bitterly. I have always been like the Greeks and didn’t know, Maurice says. Durham brushes him off. “Most men would have reported me to the Dean or the Police,” Durham says. Maurice cries out and leaves the room, slamming the door. From the courtyard, he looks at Durham’s window. You love and are loved, he thinks. In the rain, he hears his name shouted. A new emotion finds him and leaves him speechless for a moment. “His friend” is calling to his name, Maurice. He goes back through the window to Durham’s room, puts his hands on the pillows, and then responds, “Clive!” (Clive is Durham’s first name.)