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character in fictional works in order to make the characters life-like to readers. Murphy proposes nine ways of characterization through which characteristics of a
character can be depicted. They are personal description, character as seen by others, speech, past life, conversation of others, reaction, direct comment,
thoughts, and mannerisms. In revealing characteristics of Maurice, the writer will apply some
previously mentioned method. The characteristics of Maurice as the major character are:
1. Good Looking
Maurice is a young British man. He is nearly nineteen when he joins Sunnington. He becomes the only man in his family since his father passed away.
Maurice‘s mother, Mrs. Hall, realizes his son‘s charming. Therefore, she arranges a date for his son with a girl named Gladys Olcott. Miss Olcott is one of Mrs.
H all‘s infrequent guests. She is a kind and charming girl. Miss Olcott is very
happy with the date plan because she knows that Maurice is an attractive man. Now Maurice, though he did not know it, had become an attractive young
man. Much exercise had tamed his clumsiness. He was heavy but alert, and his face seemed following the example of his body. Mrs. Hall put it
down to his moustache--- ―Maurice‘s moustache will be the making of
him‖---a remark more profound than she realized. Certainly the little black line of it did pull his face together, and show up his teeth when he smiled,
and his clothes suited him also pp. 52-53.
From the description above, it shows that Maurice has an appearance as a normal man. He is bodily attractive to woman. Even, his mother and Gladys
Olcott confess it. During his study in Sunnington, he is maintaining a gay relationship with
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Clive, his senior. Maurice considers Clive as his lovely smart man. Clive, as Maurice‘s boyfriend, also realizes that Maurice has something that makes people
interested to him. Towards the end of the term he noticed that Hall had acquired a peculiar
and beautiful expression. It came only now and then, was subtle and lay far down; he noticed it first when they were squabbling about theology. It
was affectionate, kindly, and to that extent a natural expression, but there was mixed in it something that he had not observed in the man, a touch of-
-impudence? He was not sure, but liked it p.70.
Maurice and Clive like to share and discuss anything. It can be about their study, family and their relationship. Once, Maurice asks Clive about the things on
him that make Clive interested to him. At first Clive denies to answer it but then he admits that he discovers the beauty of Maurice.
―When did you first care about me?‖ ―Don‘t ask me,‖ echoed Clive.
―Oh, be a bit serious—well—what was it in me you first cared about?‖ ―Like really to know?‖ asked Clive, who was in the mood Maurice
adored —half mischievous, half passionate; a mood of supreme affection.
―Yes.‖ ―Well, it was your beauty.‖
―My what?‖ ―Beauty.... I used to admire that man over the bookcase most.‖ pp. 89-90.
Furthermore, Forster in his Terminal Note that is included in the novel states that he tries to create a character who is completely unlike himself or what
he supposed himself to be. He describes Maurice as a man who is handsome, healthy, and bodily attractive p. 246.
2. Lonely
