'Hero' Summary

James Parsons, a young man from the English village of Little Primpton, returns home after serving in the Boer War. He has been awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in saving a fellow soldier's life. However, his wartime experiences have left him deeply changed. He finds himself alienated from his former life and unable to relate to the people and customs of his hometown. His journey home is marked by a growing sense of disillusionment with the small-town life he once embraced. The expectations of the community, who view him as a hero, clash with his own internal struggles and feelings of displacement. The novel explores the psychological impact of war, the challenges of re-integrating into society after traumatic experiences, and the struggle to find one's place in a world that has moved on. As Jamie attempts to navigate his own sense of identity and purpose, he confronts the limitations of his small-town environment and the pressure to conform to societal norms. Maugham's 'Hero' offers a poignant and thought-provoking examination of the human condition, exploring the complexities of identity, belonging, and the enduring consequences of war.