The Ant and the Grasshopper: A Modern Retelling
Somerset Maugham’s short story “The Ant and the Grasshopper” (1924) offers a fresh interpretation of a traditional fable, reimagining it through the lives of two brothers, George and Tom. In a nuanced departure from the fable’s straightforward dichotomy of hard work versus idleness, George, embodying the ‘ant,’ is industrious yet devoid of joy, while Tom, the ‘grasshopper,’ indulges in a carefree lifestyle, squandering his resources.
The Original Fable
The roots of the original fable can be traced back to Aesop, although Maugham’s narrator cites the French writer La Fontaine as his source. In Aesop’s rendition, a group of ants toils diligently to store corn in preparation for the winter months. When the harsh winter arrives, a grasshopper approaches them, pleading for food, having spent the summer singing rather than working. The ants scorn the grasshopper for her idleness, telling her she can dance throughout the winter, leaving her hungry and regretful.
Typically, the moral of this fable is summarized as “an idle soul shall suffer hunger” or “work today to eat tomorrow.”
Summary of Maugham’s Version
Maugham’s reimagining opens with a narrator reflecting on the fable and its moral lesson, which he has always found unappealing. He recalls a lunch with his friend George Ramsay, who has a brother named Tom, the family’s proverbial ‘black sheep.’ Tom, despite having a job, a wife, and children, abandons his responsibilities, claiming he is unfit for married life. He spends the next two years traveling and living off borrowed money, charming those around him into financing his carefree existence.
In this modern retelling, Tom unmistakably represents the ‘grasshopper.’ Meanwhile, George, the diligent ‘ant,’ works tirelessly at his career, saving diligently with plans for an early retirement to enjoy leisure activities like golf.
Initially, George extends financial help to Tom, hoping to see him get his life in order. However, when Tom squanders the money on frivolities, George decides to cut ties and refuses further assistance. In retaliation, Tom resorts to blackmail, taking low-wage jobs near the bars and clubs where George socializes with his lawyer friends. Ultimately, George succumbs to the pressure and pays Tom off.
On one occasion, Tom devises a scheme with an accomplice named Cronshaw to defraud George out of more money. Cronshaw falsely accuses Tom of cheating him, leading to a court case. To avoid a scandal, George pays Cronshaw five hundred pounds, only to learn that the two men have absconded to Monte Carlo with the money, presumably to squander it at the casino.
Tom continues this reckless lifestyle for two decades. The narrator notes that despite Tom’s moral failings and uselessness as a friend, he is entertaining company. At forty-six, Tom appears a decade younger than his true age, while George, who has toiled diligently, looks considerably older than he is.
While George looks forward to retiring at fifty-five and relocating to the countryside, Tom ultimately finds himself in poverty. George has meticulously saved for his future, but in an ironic twist, George reveals during lunch that Tom recently married a wealthy older woman who has just passed away, leaving him a fortune that includes two houses and a yacht.
In a moment of dark humor, the narrator laughs at this unexpected turn of events, noting that he still socializes with Tom, who continues to borrow money from him, not out of need but out of habit.
Analysis
Maugham’s retelling invites readers to reconsider the moral implications of the original fable. One of the most significant differences is the story’s lack of overt moral judgment. Maugham’s narrator does not explicitly condone or condemn either brother’s approach to life. Instead, the story encourages contemplation on the delicate balance between duty, enjoyment, and ultimately, fulfillment.
Rather than adhering to a simplistic moral, Maugham suggests that life encompasses complexities that cannot be boiled down to hard work resulting in happiness and idleness resulting in suffering. The narrator maintains friendships with both Tom and George, appreciating Tom’s charm even as he acknowledges his irresponsibility, including abandoning his family and failing to repay loans. Conversely, the narrator takes an interest in George’s diligent and responsible life, yet George’s singular focus on work leaves him looking older and less fulfilled.
George and Tom: A Closer Look
It may be tempting to conclude that George is a victim of his brother’s deceitful actions. Tom’s financial manipulation and moral failings paint him as the villain. However, upon deeper inspection, it becomes clear that the brothers share more similarities than initially apparent. While George works tirelessly, he does not seem to derive genuine joy from his labor; his aspirations for early retirement revolve around leisure pursuits rather than quality time with his family. His relentless work ethic has clearly taken a toll on his health and spirit.
In contrast, Tom embraces a life of spontaneity and enjoyment, even if it comes at a moral cost. Ironically, George’s preoccupation with financial stability mirrors Tom’s hedonistic tendencies, albeit in a different form. George inadvertently fuels Tom’s extravagant lifestyle by continuing to lend him money, indicating a complex and interdependent relationship between the two.
The Moral of Maugham’s Tale
Ultimately, the moral of Maugham’s adaptation diverges significantly from that of Aesop’s fable. Rather than imparting a clear-cut lesson, it suggests a more ambiguous truth: success can stem from charm and luck, while hard work does not always guarantee fulfillment or happiness. George’s diligence has afforded him a comfortable life, yet he remains unfulfilled, while Tom’s carefree existence leads to unexpected prosperity through his marriage.
The narrative leaves us questioning the nature of luck, whether it is a mere chance occurrence or a quality one can cultivate. In the end, Maugham’s story challenges readers to reflect on their own lives, the choices they make, and the intricate balance between responsibility and enjoyment.