Maugham, W. Somerset: 1874-1965

The Moon and Sixpence, 1919 - Before Reading (AI Created)

Before reading the book it helps to understand a few key ideas, themes, and context—this isn’t just a story, it’s a sharp exploration of art, obsession, and human nature.
- 1. It’s loosely based on a real artist
  The main character, Charles Strickland, is inspired by Paul Gauguin.
  - What to know: Gauguin abandoned his comfortable life in Europe to pursue painting in places like Tahiti.
  - Example in the novel: Strickland leaves his wife and children without warning to chase art in Paris. His actions seem cruel—but they mirror Gauguin’s real-life choices.
  This helps you read Strickland not as a “hero,” but as a study of artistic obsession.
- 2. The title is symbolic
  The “moon” = dreams, artistic ideals
  The “sixpence” = everyday life, money, comfort
  What to know: The novel contrasts people who chase lofty ideals vs. those grounded in practical life.
  Example: Strickland chooses the “moon” (art) and rejects the “sixpence” (family, career, social respectability).
- 3. The narrator is not fully objective
  The story is told by an unnamed writer (often seen as a stand-in for W. Somerset Maugham himself).
  What to know: You’re getting a filtered view of Strickland.
  Example: The narrator sometimes admires Strickland’s dedication but also criticizes his lack of empathy—so your impression of Strickland is shaped, not neutral.
- 4. It challenges moral expectations
  This book doesn’t reward “good behavior.”
  What to know: Strickland is selfish, harsh, even destructive—but the novel doesn’t punish him in a conventional moral sense.
  Example: He exploits people (like Dirk Stroeve) and shows no remorse, yet he still achieves artistic greatness.
  Expect discomfort: the book asks whether genius justifies cruelty.
- 5. Art vs. society is a central conflict
  Maugham questions whether true art can exist within social norms.
  What to know: Society values stability; art (in this novel) demands total sacrifice.
  Example: Strickland lives in poverty, rejects relationships, and isolates himself—because anything else would dilute his artistic vision.
- 6. The style is simple—but the ideas are not
  Maugham writes in a clear, almost conversational way.
  What to know: Don’t mistake the easy prose for a light read.
  Example: A casual description of Strickland’s behavior often hides deeper philosophical questions about meaning, freedom, and identity.
- 7. It’s set across multiple locations
  The novel moves through places like London, Paris, and Tahiti.
  What to know: Each setting reflects a stage in Strickland’s transformation.
  Example:
  - London = conformity
  - Paris = artistic struggle
  - Tahiti = raw, uninhibited creation
- 8. It’s not a traditional plot-driven novel
  It’s more of a character study than a story with twists.
  What to know: The “action” is mostly psychological and philosophical.
  Example: Instead of big events, you get conversations, observations, and gradual revelations about Strickland’s nature.
- 9. Bottom line
  Go into The Moon and Sixpence expecting:
  - A difficult, unlikeable central character
  - Big questions about art and morality
  - A slow, reflective narrative
  If you read it as a portrait of obsession rather than a story about likable people, it becomes much more rewarding.