W. Somerset Maugham’s ‘The Moon and Sixpence’ is loosely based on the life of French post-impressionist artist, Paul Gauguin. In the book, however, the anti-hero, Charles Strickland is English. Maugham escorts his readers on a literary journey following Strickland’s life in an episodic form. The unnamed narrator is satirical, he dislikes Strickland for leaving his wife and children however, he is fascinated by Strickland’s nonchalance. Strickland is a fascinating character. He abandoned a comfortable life, however ordinary and unremarkable, to practice his passion. He suffered through poverty and disease but never went back, even though he could have. He didn’t leave his wife for another woman, he left her for his passion which he practiced whichever way he wanted. That doesn’t justify abandoning one’s positions or responsibilities, it’s simply curious. To the narrator, Strickland is ungrateful and not worth anyone’s time or energy, still he follows him from London to Paris to Tahiti and writes a book about him. It’s oxymoronic.
Despite his talent, Strickland never sold his artwork. He could have made money, but still he starved. Similar to Gauguin, he was unknown and unappreciated until after his death. The prose builds the story from a birds eye view, the lack of unimportant dialogue makes it seem that Maugham is speaking directly to the reader. It is impossible to like Strickland or even admire him, he lacks values and common decency.
If you ever read ‘The Moon and Sixpence’- and I suggest you do- act as a torch, the author layers his characters, they have depth and strong personalities, at first glance we can only see where the light shines. It’s the kind of book you can read over and over again to uncover a fresh perspective; it isn’t an easy read but I felt changed once I read it. It entertains and educates while living up to a high literary standard.
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