Question

character sketch of story Salvatore of echoes

Answer 1

In his short story "Salvatore," Maugham starts out by saying, "I wonder if I can do it." The reader is unsure what Maugham is trying to do as the author draws a portrait of a man named Salvatore who faces a series of disappointments in his life. While serving in the military in China, Salvatore falls ill. Consequently, the woman he wants to marry refuses to marry him because she is afraid he will not be strong enough to work.
Rather than wallow in self-pity, Salvatore agrees to marry Assunta, a woman he claims is "as ugly as the devil," and he then faces life with determination and "the most beautiful manners I [the author] had ever seen in my life." Though he does not live the life he imagined, Salvatore comports himself with goodwill and makes the most of his marriage, his job as a fisherman, and his children. In the end, the author states that his task was to see if he could hold the attention of the reader long enough to tell the tale of a good man who possesses an extremely rare quality that the author describes as "Goodness, just goodness."

Maugham's story has the style of a parable, a didactic tale that is meant to teach a lesson. His character, Salvatore, is not dynamic; he is static and shows no change as he continually faces life with a cheerful acceptance and integrity. Maugham holds Salvatore up to the reader as an example of pure radiance and goodness and as someone who should be emulated in dealing with the trials and tribulations of life

Answer 2

Answer:

Salvatore is a man coming from a poor family. His father was a fisherman and he had two younger brothers. He was also in love with a girl who was pretty and lived on the Grande Marina. Her eyes were like forest pools and she held herself like the Caesers. Salvatore could not marry her till he had completed his military conquest. When he was overseas in China he fell ill of rheumatism and was said that he couldn't work again. His service was cut short and he could return home. When he came back he saw his family but not the girl he loved. On going to her house in the eveneing he found out that she was not going to marry him because of his illlness He never speaks ill of the girl and neither doea he blame her for breaking off the marriage. He only cries on his mother's bosom.  He then agrees to marry Assunta, a lady he had described as ugly as the devil. She had seen Salvatore at the fair and had fallen in love with him. She gives him a vineyard to work in and they,over the time have two children. Salvatore is all about goodness,just goodness.