Maugham effectively uses imagery to help us see the differences between Edward and Bateman. The time they spend together in Tahiti illustrates how different the two men are; while Edward is seemingly comfortable in the native pareo, Bateman insists on redressing after their bath. This, combined with Bateman's discomfort at wearing the flower wreath Eva made for him, is symbolic of his inability - or perhaps even refusal - to change.
The Fall of Edward Barnard