The Ant and the Grasshopper

In Somerset Maugham short story "The ant and the Grasshopper" we are introduced to the two main characters as referring to them as George and Tom. The characters are introduced after a short introduction about the story of the ant and the grasshopper. In this fable we learn that the ant in the story is much like the character of George. The ant begins working away throughout the summer collecting his food and building his shelter in order to prepare for the upcoming winter. The Grasshopper on the other hand enjoys his summer months by "sitting on a blade of grass singing to the sun" (Maugham 288). The characteristics of the grasshopper are also seen through the character of Tom. George is considered "hardworking, decent, respectable, and straightforward" (Maugham 291), whereas Tom is portrayed as an idle, worthless, dissolute, and dishonorable rogue" (Maugham 291). We can not help but feel