In The Narrow Corner, Maugham tells a story about Dr. Saunders, an English physician who lives and practices in China. He is quite in demand among wealthy Chinese; we never learn exactly why he left England but the author hints that he was more highly regarded in the Far East than he had been in Britain.
I recently read a classic novel The Narrow Corner by W. Somerset Maugham. I remember reading his classic Of Human Bondage in high school.
The Plot
InThe Narrow Corner,Maugham tells a story about Dr. Saunders, an English physician who lives and practices in China. He is quite in demand among wealthy Chinese; we never learn exactly why he left England but the author hints that he was more highly regarded in the Far East than he had been in Britain.
Dr. Saunders is summoned away from his home to a South Pacific island to attend to a wealthy man who requests his medical care. He boards a small ship with a salty captain and a young man who keeps his reason for travelling a guarded secret.
What was supposed to be a pleasant and uneventful trip to a tropical island, turned into an uncomfortable and shocking adventure when they meet four people whose lives proved more complicated that they initially appeared. Dr. Saunders and his travelling companions soon find themselves sucked into their intrigue.
The Language of 1932
Maybe because it is old, written in 1932, many of the words and phrases seem formal and archaic.Perhaps Maugham wanted to avoid dull prose. Here is an example of his eloquent way with words, with some explanations in parentheses.
“He (Dr. Saunders) was not very fond of idealists. It was difficult for them in thisworkaday (ordinary) world to reconcile their professions with theexigencies (urgent needs) of life, and it was disconcerting how often they managed to combineexalted notions with a keen eye to the main chance. They were apt to look down upon those who were occupied with practical matters but not averse from profiting by their industry.
Like the lilies of the field they neither toiled nor spun, but took it as a right but others should perform for them thesemenial offices (menial jobs).”
The Narrow Cornercopyright 1932
In this passage, Maugham uses several phrases or quotes much older than his writing .
exalted (lofty or elevated ) notions (thoughts or beliefs) which has been attributed to Aristotle.
eye to the main chance
referring to someone who is ambitious and eager to promote their own advancement. The first known use of it in print is in John Lyly’s, Euphues, the anatomy of wyt, 1579:
The reference to lilies of the field which neither toil nor spin is from the Bible, specifically Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as related in the book Matthew.
“And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?”
Matthew 6: 28-30, KJV
King James Version, public domain
The Language of the Bible- 1604-2006
King James authorized a Bible translation in 1604 , so this passage also uses terms we don’t use much today, like raiment (clothing) and arrayed (dressed) .
Some of the modern language versions translate lilies as “wild flowers”, or “flowers of the field.” I think the image of lilies is much more descriptive. In 1932 most people still read the KJV of the Bible, so Maugham used this version.
Here is a modern English translation of the same verses.
“And why do you worry about clothes? Look at the wildflowers in the field. See how they grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves.
But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers.”
W Somerset Maugham was one of the 20th Century’s most popular novelists as well as a celebrated playwright critic and short story writer.
He was born in Paris but grew up in England and served as a secret agent for the British during World War II.
He wrote many novels including the classics , The Razor’s Edge, Cakes & Ale, Christmas Holiday, The Moon and Sixpence, Theater, Up at the Villa. (Affiliate links)
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In this post I review options to improve our sleep. Daylight Saving Time can disrupt sleep, akin to jet lag. Chronic insomnia involves difficulty sleeping regularly, potentially linked to medical conditions. Treatment begins with addressing underlying issues and adopting sleep hygiene practices, such as exercise and routine. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is effective for persistent cases.
updated March 7, 2025
If you live somewhere that observes Daylight Saving Time, you may notice a disruption in your sleep for a few days after we “spring forward” in March and when we “fall back” to standard time in November.
Like jet lag from travel, these time changes can interrupt our sleep schedule for a few days. And if you already have trouble sleeping, it’s even more of a problem.
Here’s a review of what sleep professionals recommend to help. But for persistent or severe problems, see your own doctor to get started.
This information is current as of the date of original publication or update but may have changed by the time you read this. Do not use this information for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Before making health decisions, discuss with a qualified healthcare professional.
This content is for your “information and inspiration”, and does not imply my endorsement or recommendation.
Sometimes getting a good night’s sleep can be a challenge.
(Affiliate links are used in this post. You don’t pay more to shop through these links; this blog may earn a small commission, which funds its existence. )
What is Chronic Insomnia?
Most of us have trouble sleeping occasionally, but if you persistently have difficulty with sleep, you may have a medical condition associated with sleep disturbances. These include
Some people have true chronic insomnia, meaning persistent sleep difficulty not due to some other cause. There are various criteria to diagnose chronic insomnia but in general include
difficulty falling or staying asleep
at least 3 nights per week for at least 1-3 months
with impairment of daytime function, such as fatigue/sleepiness, poor concentration, irritability, school or work dysfunction
How can you sleep better with chronic insomnia?
The first step for chronic or occasional insomnia is to identify and treat any underlying medical issues that cause poor sleep. In addition to the ones mentioned above these include
painful conditions
heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux)
congestive heart failure
lung diseases like asthma cause nighttime breathing difficulty
Experts recommend sleep hygiene, basically lifestyle changes, as the initial treatment. Some people have developed bad habits in regards to sleep that need to be unlearned and new behaviors put in place.
For optimal sleep, you should
Engage in regular exercise- moderate intensity , tai chi , yoga and low-impact aerobic exercise
Avoid evening large meals
Limit caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol
Use the bedroom only to sleep and for sex
Maintain a regular bedtime-awake schedule
Avoid daytime naps
Avoid distracting stimuli at bedtime-watching television, using electronic devices, talking on the phone
Stay in bed only while sleep
Dim the lights for better sleep
The light from electronic devices- clocks, thermostats, televisions, monitors-can disturb your sleep even after you turn off your phone and tablets. This light can be blocked by stick on light blocking covers than can block out the majority of it.
Light from my clock made it hard for me to fall asleep before I discovered these products. With them I fall asleep easier, and can fall back asleep if I wake up.
Maintaining a regular schedule helps to set or reset your sleep/wake cycle. So go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning.
However, if you can’t sleep, rather than lie in bed awake, you should get up, do a non-stimulating activity, then return to bed when sleepy.
Using a computer, laptop, or tablet before going to bed can impair sleep.
If you have persistent sleep loss, consider more intensive therapy by a professional.
CBT-I combines cognitive therapy with sleep restriction, relaxation training, and stimulus control.
Treatment typically requires 5-8 sessions conducted by a health professional trained in its use. Patients need to participate by keeping a sleep diary and writing down daily thoughts in a journal while continuing with the sleep hygiene practices mentioned above.
Writing thoughts in a journal is often encouraged in cognitive behavioral therapy. (photo from the Lightstock.com collection)
Natural Sleep Aid Created By A Doctor. A family physician created SleepPhones to help patients fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer without resorting to drugs.(affiliate link)
SleepPhone
Manage stress, learn to relax
If you have occasional trouble sleeping due to stress, relaxation techniques can help you. Techniques include meditation, yoga, imagery, abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation techniques. These can reduce tension and anxious thoughts that inhibit sleep onset and maintenance.
A college graduate receives a gift certificate for a book, choosing a technical manual for his engineering career. This post reflects on the need for coping mechanisms for life’s stressors, sharing five essential steps to manage stress and strain. These steps include maintaining a routine, seeking social support, focusing on the positive, staying active, and…
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