Maugham, W. Somerset: 1874-1965
The Moon and Sixpence, 1919 - Information about the Book
- General Information
- The story is, in part, based on the life of the painter Paul Gauguin. The novel's hero, Charles Strickland, is a London stockbroker who renounces his wife, children, and business in order to paint.
- Information from Wikipedia
- Facts
- The title comes from a reviewer's description of the protagonist in "Of Human Bondage" as being so absorbed in reaching for the moon that he doesn't notice the sixpence at his feet.
But why a sixpence?
In Great Britain, the bride traditionally wore ‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe.’ The father of the bride would slip a sixpence into his daughter’s shoe before she walked down the aisle. The sixpence stood for good luck, and to show that the father wished his daughter prosperity in her marriage.
Information from The Royal Mint. - Charles Strickland - The protagonist of the story is based on the painter Paul Gauguin. He is a stockbroker who abandons his family and career to pursue his passion for painting.
Narrator - An unnamed narrator who tells the story of Strickland's life. He is a writer and provides an account of Strickland's transformation and the impact it has on those around him.
Amy Strickland - Strickland's wife, who is left behind when he decides to leave his family to become an artist. She is portrayed as a conventional and dutiful wife who is devastated by her husband's abandonment.
Dirk Stroeve - A kind-hearted but mediocre Dutch painter who admires Strickland's talent and tries to help him. Despite Strickland's harsh treatment of him, Stroeve remains loyal.
Blanche Stroeve - Dirk Stroeve's wife, who falls in love with Strickland. Her relationship with Strickland leads to tragic consequences.
Captain Nichols - A seafaring friend of the narrator who provides information about Strickland's later years in Tahiti.
Ata - A Tahitian woman who becomes Strickland's companion during his final years in Tahiti. She is devoted to him and supports him as he pursues his artistic vision.
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- The Pursuit of Art
A central theme is the singular pursuit of art and the sacrifices an artist must make, even abandoning family and societal expectations. Strickland's uncompromising commitment to his artistic vision is portrayed as both admirable and selfish.Conformity vs Freedom
The novel explores the conflict between living a conventional, respectable life versus embracing personal freedom and following one's passion, even if it defies social norms.Morality and Art
Maugham raises questions about the relationship between morality and art, suggesting that great art may require transcending conventional morality and bourgeois values.The novel was inspired by Gauguin's life and his decision to leave his family in France to live and paint in Tahiti. It is considered one of Maugham's finest works and a thought-provoking exploration of the singular devotion required for artistic genius.
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- Reader Rating:
- The title comes from a reviewer's description of the protagonist in "Of Human Bondage" as being so absorbed in reaching for the moon that he doesn't notice the sixpence at his feet.
- Articles
- Review. "What’s refreshing about The Moon and Sixpence is that Maugham himself never succumbs to the obvious temptation, to seek to explain Strickland’s actions in abandoning his family and career."
- Strickland on "Tradition and the Individual Talent": Student paper, Vanderbilt University
- Drawing down the Moon. The Guardian; August 13, 2002
- Analysis