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Chapter 5
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Maurice, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Love and Sacrifice
Sexual Orientation, Homophobia, and Self-Acceptance
Masculinity and Patriarchy
Religion
Class
Summary
Analysis
Maurice devises a plan to see “this queer fish” Risley again. Taking inspiration from Risley, who has stirred Maurice incomprehensively, Maurice plans to break convention and call on the senior-year man. When he gets to Risley’s rooms, though, Risley is out, and a boy named Durham from Maurice’s own college is there. After observing him, Maurice finds Durham to be not only clever, but to have a clear and tranquil mind. This frustrates Maurice, and he worries that Durham might see through the false veneer that he presents to the world. Maurice has a nightcap with Durham; afterward, when he is alone outside, Maurice feels his heart glowing. Maurice and Durham then begin to see a little more of each other, while Maurice waits to see what their relationship might mean.
Risley has a profound impact on Maurice because he shows Maurice that it is possible to live outside of established conventions. Through Risley’s inspiration, Maurice begins to sense that a different kind of life might be available to him, a life that overcomes the oppression of heteronormativity and the restrictive norms of masculinity. As a direct result of Risley’s influence, Maurice meets Clive Durham—an important figure in his life.
Themes
