The Razor’s Edge

The Razor’s Edge

by

W. Somerset Maugham

Dr. Nelson Character Analysis

Dr. Nelson is Larry’s guardian, who raised Larry after Larry’s mother died in childbirth and his father died 12 years before the events of the novel unfold. Dr. Nelson says that he was never able to tell Larry what to do, even as a child. Dr. Nelson also says that Larry’s experiences in the war changed Larry’s personality and believes that Larry might have “delayed shock,” which we might now call PTSD.
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Dr. Nelson Character Timeline in The Razor’s Edge

The timeline below shows where the character Dr. Nelson appears in The Razor’s Edge. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1, Chapter 6
Wisdom and the Meaning of Life Theme Icon
Social Norms and Conformity Theme Icon
Snobbishness, Social Status, and Cosmopolitanism Theme Icon
...more sense to have in private and feels like he’s intruding by listening. Larry’s guardian, Dr. Nelson , says he’s never had much control over Larry, even when Larry was a child.... (full context)
Wisdom and the Meaning of Life Theme Icon
Social Norms and Conformity Theme Icon
Trauma and Self-Destruction Theme Icon
Truth and the Problem of Evil   Theme Icon
Dr. Nelson says that Larry won’t talk about the war with anyone, and he thinks the war... (full context)
Part 1, Chapter 10
Wisdom and the Meaning of Life Theme Icon
Trauma and Self-Destruction Theme Icon
Truth and the Problem of Evil   Theme Icon
...and understanding. Isabel hopes that new surroundings in Paris will shake Larry out of what Dr. Nelson has called “delayed shock.” Somerset says that maybe what happened during the war has left... (full context)