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Introduction
W. Somerset Maugham was born in Paris as the sixth and youngest son of the solicitor to the British embassy. He learned French as his native tongue. At the age of 10 Maugham was orphaned and sent to England to live with his uncle, the vicar of Whit stable. Educated at Kings School. Canterbury, and Heidelberg University, Maugharn then studied six years medicine in London. He qualified in 1 897 as doctor from St. Thomas' medical school but abandoned medicine after the success of his first novels and plays. Maugham lived in Paris for ten years as a struggling young author. In 1897 appeared his first novel, LIZA OF LAMBETH, which drew on his experiences of attending women in childbirth. His first play, A MAN OF HONOUR, was produced in 1903. Four of his plays ran simultaneously in London in 1904. Maughams breakthrough novel was the semi- autobiographical OF HUMAN BONDAGE (1915), which is usually considered his outstanding achievement.
Maugham also worked for British Intelligence in Russia during the Russian Revolution in 1917, but his stuttering and poor health hindered his career in this field. He then set off with a friend on a series of travels to eastern Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Mexico. His most famous story, which became the play RAIN and was made into several movies, was inspired by a missionary and prostitute among his fellow passengers on a trip to Pago Pago. In the 1928 he settled in Cape Ferrat in France.
His plays, among them THE CIRCLE (1921), a satire of social life, OUR BETTERS (1923), about Americans in Europe, and THE CONSTANT WIFE (1927), about a wife who takes revenge on her unfaithful husband, were performed in Europe and in the United states. Maughams famous novel THE MOON AND THE SIXPENCE (1919) was the story of Charles Strickland (or actually Paul Gauguin), an artist, whose rejection of Western civilization led to his departure for Tahiti.
He wanted to be a physician and with this idea in his mind he spent some time at St. Thomas' Hospital. The publication of his first novel Liza of Lambeth in 1897 brought him a great success and it proved a turning point in his life. He became a professed writer. He became popular not only as a novelist but also as a playwright and short story writer. He wrote travel books, essays, criticism and autobiography. He settled in the South of France in 1927 and lived there till his death in (1965).
OUTLINE OF THE STORY
Charles Strickland was a middle aged English stock broker in London lie was a dull man where as his wife Mrs. Strickland was very nice. She had a real passion for reading, She was an affectionate wife. The Strickland's had two children. The first one was a boy. He was sixteen and his name was Robert. The second one was a girl and her name was Anne. She was fourteen. Both the children resembled their mother in appearance rather than their father.
The narrator of the novel recognized a perfect amity among the members of the family. Love and affection was mutual. The whole of life was running smoothly. But to the shock of everyday Mr. Strickland abandoned his wife and children and ran away to Paris. He gave no reason for his running away. He had written a letter to his wife Mr. Strickland otherwise known as Amy. The following is the letter:
"My dear Amy,
I think you will find everything all right in the flat. I have given Anne your instructions, and dinner will be ready for you and the children when you come. I shall not be there to meet you. I have made up my mind to live apart from you, and Jam going to Paris in the morning. I shall post this letter on my arrival. I shall not come back. My decision is irrevocable.
Yours always,
Charles Strickland.
This letter infuriated Amy's brother-ia-law, Colonel Mac Andrew. The narrator came to know of Charles Strickland's runaway 'episode from Miss Rose Waterford. Every One felt grieved that Amy and her children were left without any penny for their livelihood.
Mrs. Strickland's bother-in-law Colonel Mac Andrew suspected that Mr. Strickland had an affair with a lady and therefore he had eloped with her. But when the narrator went to Paris at the instance of Amy to find out Mr. Strickland and speak to him on her behalf, the narrator was made sure that Mr. Strickland had not taken any lady with- him. The narrator asked Mr. Strickland why he had deserted his wife and children, Mr. Strickland did not give any valid reason. He simply said that he had left for Paris in order to take painting as hi& vocation.
Mrs. Strickland is rendered penniless but soon she made up her mind to learn shorthand and typewriting. Her education helped her to become an efficient typist. Her friends promised her to send her to work and to recommend her to all their friends. The children were taken care of by the Mac Andrews. Mrs. Strickland let her flat and sold her furniture. She settled in two tiny rooms in Westminster and was prepared to face the world anew.
After five years the narrator went to Paris with a view of living there for awhile. He could not find out Mr. Strickland in his old place. He happened to meet his friend Dirk Stroeve. Dirk Stroeve was a painter. Though a bad one, he earned a fair Charles Strickland. Dine stroeve was an admirer of amount of money. He had married an English woman by name Blanche and was settled ma studio in Montmatre. He was a loving husband and she was a very affectionate wife. It was from this happy couple that the narrator came to know of the where about of Charles Strickland's paintings. But Mrs. Stroeve's face expressed disapproval whenever the name of Mr. Strickland was uttered. This was because Mr. Stridkland did not say any word about Stroeve's paintings: Mrs. Stroeve took this for a brutal treatment whereas Mr. Stroeve did not take it to his heart. On the other hand he used to admire him as he did before.
Both Dirk Stroeve and the narrator met Charles Strickland at a cafe in the Avenue de Clichy. Mr. Strickland did not say anything about him but the narrator came to know from Mr.Stroeve that Mr. Strickland became a great painter but he did not sell any of his paintings. He acted as a guide to Cockneys and made a bit of money. This was not enough for his liveiyhood. He could not buy new clothes. He wore the same dress which he had on when he left London. The shabbiness of his clothes frightened the sightseers and he had to give up his job of guide. Then he worked as a translator of the advertisement of the patent medicines and then as a house-painter. What be earned from such jobs was very meagre with which he could make both ends meet. Still he did not sell his paintings. The narrator enquired him whether he did not want to earn fame Mr. StrickJand1jed that the fame received from Critics, Writers, stock brokers and Women was a "Melodrama"
Once Charles Stlickland fell ill, He did not have anything to eat or drink condition became worse. Dirk Stroeve Wanted take him to his house for treatment Mrs. Strove objected to his propos vehemently. Mr. Stroeve spoke affectionately to her, convinced her and succeeded in getting her permission. Both the narrator, and Mr. Strove brought Mr. Strickland to the Mr. Stroeve's house, Mrs. Stroeve contrary to the expectation of her husband treated Mr. Strickland quite sincerel3 and genuinely The tenderness and sympathy with which she nursed enabled Mr. Strickland to recover Soon and began to read books and Poems of great authors.
After his recovery quite an unexpected thing happened Blanche Stroeve fell in love with Charles Strickland and decided to desert her husband Dirk Stroeve Dirk Stroeve felt very much and pleaded to her not to leave him. But she was determined to go with Strickland. The narrator was of the view that Blanche earlier dislike of Strickland had in it from the beginning a vague element of sexual attraction. Her constant attention on him during his illness pulled he passion towards him closer and closer. In Spite appeal to her, she decided to live with Strickland. Dirk Stroeve left the studio and his wife with the ungrateful Strickland and with a heavy heart. After a few days, he tried to speak to her in the Street or at Shops not she did not take care of him On the other hand her hatred for him grew more and more.
In-the mean while Blanche's life with Strickland was not a happy One. He-was brutal to her and one day forced her to take oxalic acid and left her alone. On coming to know of this Stroeve was greatly grieved He called for a doctor and Blanche was taken to hospital for intensive treatment Blanche Was as ungrateful as Strickland She did not allow Stroeve to come and speak to her while she was in the hospital. Still Stroeve took all efforts to see to it that Blanche recovered soon. But Contrary to his expectation, Blanche died in the hospital. Stroeve was greatly stricken with grief. However he gave her an honourable buriel. The narrator was greatly helpful to Stroeve during the hour of need. Stroeve observed mourning for his dead wife with all sincerity
The narrator advised Stroeve to go back to Holland and start life afresh. Stroeve went to the studio which he had left for the sake of Blanche and Strickland. There he was struck with wonder to see the picture of Blanche portrayed by Strickland. He sold the. studio and the furniture. He took Blanche's picture, a few books and a box of clothes and left for Holland where he would marry some honest soul and live happily.
When the narrator happened to meet Strickland next time, Strickland did not show any regret for what be had done to Blanche Stroeve. On the other hand he told the narrator the past history of Blanche. He said that Blanche was a governess in the family of some Roman Prince. The son of the house reduced her. She thought that he was going to many her. But they turned her out into the Street She was going to have a baby and so she tried to commit suicide. Stroeve found her and married her. Three or four months after they were married, the child was still born. Strickland dismissed the talk on Blanche by saying that "she was an entirely unimportant person".
Strickland asked the narrator to go with him and see his pictures. The narrator was accustomed to the drawing of the old masters, and therefore he thought that Strickland drew very badly. Then narrator did not know anything of the simplification at which he aimed. The only. thing that seeme4 clear to him was that Strickland was passionately striving for liberation from some power that held him and that be had a vision The narrator concluded that "Strickland was an odious man, but I still think he was a great one.".
After many wanderings, Charless Strickland came to Tahiti where he painted pictures which brought him fame. The circumstances here were favourable to him to draw good pictures. He lived there for six years and died. The narrator went to Tahiti nine years after the death of Strickland. At Tahiti, the narrator gathered a great manypie.ofjofl0 from Captain Nichols. Strickland and Captain Nichols happened to be co-sailors to Tahiti. During their voyage, Nichols used to amide Strickland with Cigars and Whisky. In return, Strickland entertained Nichols by painting him pictures. Nichols had spent all his money. Now they sought the hospitality of Tough Bill who was the master of a 'sailors' boarding-house. When. Tough Bill asked Strickland to sign the papers pertaining to sailing, Strickland This infuriated Tough Bill and therefore he flung both Strickland and Captain Nichols out. Now and then they both made bit of money by doing jobs.
Chink's Head was a wretched inn, kept by a one-eyed Chinaman. Strickland and Captain Nichols used to stay in this inn. One night Captain Nichols and Strickland were sitting in one of the bars of the Rue Bout Eric. A mechanical piano was loudly grinding out dance music and the sailors danced with ladies. Tough Bill, accompanied by two huge Negroes came in. He was already three parts drunk and was looking for trouble. He went straight to Strickland and spat in his face. Stuckland seized his glass and flung it at him A battle between them followed. Tough Bill was deeply wounded in his head and was hospitalized Strickland was wounded in his aim and his face was covered with blood from a blow on the nose. Tough Bill's wife informed Nichols that her husband was swearing to kill Strickland after being discharged from the hospital. Nichols know Tough Bill's vindictiveness. After a week a ship was bound for Australia and he got Strickland board the ship.
The narrator wanted to end the book here. But his first idea was to begin the book with the account of Strickland last years in Tahiti with his horrible death. It is because it was during his last years In Tahiti that Strickland developed himself into a great painter and proved' that he had a genius for painting. Therefore the narrator has devoted the last eleven chapters to describe the last days Strickland in Tahiti.
Strickland happened to come across a Jewish .trader by name Cohen. Strickland gave him one of his pictures and borrowed from him a loan of two hundred francs. Both Cohen and his wife did not know anything about the picture. They threw it into an attic. Just before the war Cohen's brother wrote to Cohen making an enquiry about the English painter Strickland. Cohen sent Strickland's picture to his brother who sold the picture for thirty thousand francs. Cohen gave Strickland twenty-nine thousand and eight hundred francs after taking his two hundred francs which he had lent to Strickland earlier.
Strickland became a customer to Tiara Johnson. Tiare told the narrator that she had found a wife for Strickland. That is she was instrumental for Strickland in marrying a seventeen year old Negro girls by name Ata. He lived with her on her property and she proved to be a roving wife. She gave birth to two children. He concentrated all his attention on painting. In the course of time he was afflicted with leprosy. People shunned the company not only of Strickland but also of his wife and children. Ata could not go to the usual trader to sell her agriculture produce and buy house hold things. Her cultivable lands slowly turned into untrodden thickets. Life became burdensome. Her first child died. Strickland began to paint on the walls of the house. Dr. Courtas attended on Strickland and he was presented with a picture.
Towards the end of his life, Strickland became completely blind. He asked his wife Ata to set the house on fire after his death. He was seldom seen outside the house and his wife Ata was very faithful to him. She served him with all kindness and affection but leprosy ate him fast. He died and as promised to her husband, she set the house on fire and all the beautiful pictures painted by Strickland on the walls of the house were destroyed. .
After the death of Strickland Ata and her son went to. I the Marques as where she had relations. Her son began to work on one of Cameron's schooners. It was said that he was very tike his father in appearance.
The narrator left Tahiti and went to London. He met Mrs. Strickland Mrs. Mac Andrew and her husband had died leaving their money to Mrs. Strickland. She was regularly buying the pictures painted by Strickland from media men. But she could not get the originals. She was very fond of her husband. Her daughter was married to a Major in the Gunners. His name was Ronaidson. Her son Robert now grew into a breezy man. The narrator narrated to them the lamentable death of Charles Strickland in Tahiti and carefully avoided the name of Ata and her marriage with Strickland
CHARACTERS
STRICKLAND
Charles Strickland was a conventional stockbroker. He abandoned his wife and children for Paris and Tahiti, to live his life as a painter. His betrayal of family, duty and honour gave him freedom to achieve greatness. But his decision led him to an obsession which earned severe implications.
Strickland was a stockbroker in London. He was very quiet and dull. He was not in the least interested in literature or the arts. The narrator at the instance of Mrs. Strickland went to Paris in search of Charles Strickland. The narrator met him in a hotel. which was not fashionable, nor was it even respectable. Strickland spoke only rarely. He not show any regret over his abandoning of his wife and children. He told the narrator that he had come to Paris only to pursue a new vocation of painting. Indeed he had an innate desire for painting, In fact it was this desire hibernating in him that drove him away from his family members.
In Paris he was adored by Dirk Stroeve who owned a small studio. Strickland used to come there and paint pictures but he did not show any of his pictures to others. The only person who hated him was Mrs. Stroeve. When Strickland fell seriously ill, Dirk Stroeve wanted to take him to his house in order to give him proper treatment. Mts. Stroeve Vehemently objected to the suggestion. But when Dirk Stroeve insisted with all kindness, she yielded. Once Strickland was brought to her house, she took extraordinary care on him. But the ungrateful Strickland violated all norms of decency and took her with him and within a short period, he inhumanly forced her to drink oxalic acid which resulted in her death.
For fear of being arrested by Police, Strickland, escaped to Marseille where he soon found himself in the company of Captain Nichols. Captain Nichols treated Strickland with great respect and helped him by giving him money then and there. Still Strickland ran short of money and therefore he had to take up menial jobs whenever he could find them. He was enduring and patient in his sufferings. In Marseille, he showed his ardent patriotism by exhibiting a lively superiority over Americans Colonials, Dagos, Dutchmen and Kanakas. He suffered from dyspepsia. In Marseille also Strickland painted some reniancable pictures and gave a few of them to some people for a negligent amount of money. He lived in Marse file only for a short period. Soon he left for Tahiti.
Strickland lived a happy life in Tahiti. We find a change of character in him. With the efforts of Tiare Johnson, he married a Negro girl by name Ata who proved to be a faithful wife. His married life was a peaceful one and he made use of this peaceful and comfortable life in concentrating his whole attention on painting. But unfortunately he was affected by leprosy. People shunned his company but he did not care. On the other hand he spent his whole time on painting. Dr. Courtas attended on him. Strickland presented the doctor with a picture, which was to be considered in the future as one of the most valuable pictures ever painted. Leprosy slowly ate away the flesh of Strickland and finally.It made him blind. He ordered his wife to bum down all, the pictures that. He had painted on the orders faithfully after his death. "In a little while nothing remained but walls of his house, after his death. His wife Ata obeyed his smoldering embers and a great master piece existed no longer". Strickland definitely knew that it was a masterpiece. He wanted to destroy it because he felt that he achieved what he wanted and in pride and contempt, he destroyed it
The character of Strickland is based on the life of Paul Ganguin. But unlike Gaugin, Strickland was ignorant of his contemporaries in Modem art. Both Gaugin and Strickland steadily grew to' the height of great painters.
DIRK STROEVE
Dirk Stroeve acts as a foil to Charles Strickland. He paints pictures arid sells them for his livelihood, where as Strickland never sells his pictures. Dirk Stroeve's pictures are of low quality where as the pictures of Strickland are greatly appreciable. By juxtaposing there two painters, the author of the novel Somerset Maugham wants to highlight the genius if Strickland in the art of painting
Dirk Stroeve is a painter but "a very bad one". He has a genuine enthusiasm for the common place. His soul is always palpitating with love for art. He paints the models who hang about the, stairway of Bernini in the Piazze di Spauga. His studio is full of canvases on which are portrayed mustachioed, large-eyed peasants in peaked bats, urchins in becoming rags and women in bright petticoats. They are careful) drawn and carefully painted A photograph cannot have been more exact. But Stroeve does not claim himself to be a good painter.
Dirk Stroeve was always generous. He is so naive that he believes very easily the stories of the distress of his fellow beings. The needy people very easily get help from him. His feeling can very easily be aroused and yet there is something absurd in it. That is why people accept his kindness but fell no gratitude. He has an admiration for Strickland, Strickland insults him very much. His insult gets itself deep into the heart of Mrs.Stroeve. 1ut Mr. Stroeve does not take note of the insult instead he tries his rnaxim1jm best to help Strickland in every way. He gives him honey whenever the latter is in need. When Strickland falls seriously ill, Dirk Stroeve feels much grieved. He wants to take Strickland to his house to given him a better treatment Mr. Stroeve objects to this proposal. But Mr. Stroeve pleads to her with all submissiveness and finally Mrs. Stroeve yields. Once Strickland is brought to the house, Mrs. Stroeve takes the utmost care on him. Strickland recovers but proves to be the most ungrate1l man in the world. For, he takes Mrs. Stroeve away form Dirk Stroeve.
Blanche was a governess in the family of some Roman Prince. The son of the house reduced her. She thought that he was going to marry her. But they turned her out into the street. She was going to have a baby and so she tried to commit suicide. It was in this context that he found her. He took pity on her and married her. He considered that Blanche was his world. He was prepared to do anything for her sake. He was prepared to go to any extent of obedience to get a favour from her. When she opposed to the idea of bringing the sickly Strickland to the house, he spoke to her with all submissiveness coupled with affection. The result was that she had to yield.
The ungrateful Strikland took Blanche Stroeve, away from him. Blanche herself admitted that she loved Strickland and therefore she joined him and sent Dirk away. But her love for Strickland did not reduce the amount of love that Mr.Stroeve had for her. His only worry was that Blanche would not he happy with Strickland. When she was hospitalized, he tried his level best to be of help to her. Even when she refused to see him, he went on insisting on seeing and talking to her. When she died he gave her an honourable burial. Poor Dirk Stroeve had to sell his studio and other possessions after his wife's death and leave for Holland.
Dirk Stroeve is a perfect contrast to Charles Strickland in every respect. Stroeve is a lover of humanity where as Strickland is a reserved personality. Stroeve has an enthusiasm for art but remains a bad painter. Strickland is a genius in painting and his genius is highlighted by juxtaposing the paintings of Dirk Stroeve. But as human being Dirk Stroeve is more lovable.
MRS. STRICKLAND
Amy is Mrs. Strickland, the wife of Charles Strickland. She is the mother of two children, a son and a daughter. Her son is Robert a boy of sixteen studying at Rugby. Her daughter is Anne. She is fourteen years old. Both the children resembled their mother in appearance rather than their father.
Mts. Amy Strickland is a contrast to her husband, Mr. Strickland. Mr. Strickland is a middle aged English stockbroker in London. Mrs. Strickland is a housewife. Mrs. Strickland is a dull man whereas Mrs.Strickland is very active. Mr. Strickland has no inclination for reading. Mrs. Strickland has a real passion for reading. She is an affectionate wife where as Mr. Strickland goes to the extent of deserting not only his wife but also his loving children.
There is a perfect amity among the members of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Strickland. Love and affection is mutual. Mrs. Strickland loves her husband and children very deeply. On the other hand Mr. Strickland wears a reserved appearance. He sees to it that the family is run smoothly. But such a good man abandons his wife and children are fine morning giving shock to everybody of course Mrs. Strickland was greatly shocked but she faces the situation intellectually.
Mr. Strickland's run away episode infuriates Mrs. Strickland's brother-inlaw. Colonal Mac Andrew. He suspects that .Mr.Strickland had an affair with a lady and that he has run away with her. Mrs. Strickland does not believe that. Further everyone feels grieved that Mrs. Strickland and her children are left without any penny for their lively hood. But Mrs.Strickland remains passive throughout. She thinks and acts intelligently and resolutely. She sends the narrator to Paris to search for her husband, find him out and speak to him on her behalf. The narrator succeeds in finding out Mr. Strickland and makes it sure that Mr. Strickland has run away alone and not with a lady. Mrs. Strickland is right in her judgment that her husband is not such a man as to have any affair with ladies.
Though Mrs. Strickland is rendered penniless, she does not worry about it. She quickly makes up her mind to learn shorthand and typewriting. Her education helps her to become an efficient typist. Her affable nature has already earned many good friends. Now all her friends come forward to send her to work and to recommend her to all their friends. She succeeds in finding a job. Soon she lets her flat and sells her furniture. She settles herself in two tiny rooms in Westminster and is prepared to face the world anew. This shows her adroitness in. taking quick and proper decisions at proper time. She begins to earn enough money not only for her own lively hood but also to send some to her husband through the narrator.
Mr. Strickland betrays his wife Amy by marrying a second wife Ata, towards the end of his life and he leads a happy married life. But Mrs.Strickland remains faithful to him throughout her life. She even feels proud of her husband when she comes to know that he has grown into a great painter. She regularly buys the pictures painted by Mr.Strickland from the media men. But she is worried that she is not able to get the originals. She arranges for a meeting with the media reporters and speaks proudly to them about the greatness of her husband in the art of painting. She finds it a pleasure to call herself the wife of Mr. Strickland.
Mrs. Strickland begins her life as a happy housewife. Circumstances render her helpless but she faces her helplessness passively and bravely all the while remaining a loving mother and faithful wife. She is, indeed, a lovable character.
ATA
Ata is a native lady in Tahity. She is a young girl. She is under the care of Tiare Johnson who arranges the marriage between Ata and Mr.Strickland. Ata was some sort of a relation of Tiare. Her father and mother were dead and therefore she had to live with Tiare. Mr.Strickland used to come to Tare's hotel now and then to have a square meal or to play chess with one of the boys there. Tiare liked him well One day she asked him whether he wanted to marry. At first he remembered his wife in England and after a deep thought he agreed to marry. He was introduced to Ata.
Ata was a god girl and she was only seventeen She was never promiscuous like the other girls who were under the care of Tiare She had a bit of property down by Taravao with Copra Tiare convinced Mr. Strickland by saying that if he married Ata, he could live quite comfortably. More over, Ata owned a house and he could have all the time for his painting. Ata was listening to Tiare's conversation with Mr.Strickland with all her ears while she pretended to iron a blouse. Tiare called her. She came and laughed and when Mr. Strickland asked her whether she liked him for a husband, she simply gigled. When Strickland told her that he would beat her after marriage, she replied beating a wife was a sign of husband's love for her. Mr.Strickland began to like her. They got married.
Ata's married life with Mr. Strickland was a happy one during the first three years. Strikland would go down to the reef and come back with a basket of small, Coloured fish that Ata would fry in coconut oil, or with a lobster. Sometimes she would make a savoury dish of the great land-crab and sometimes she would group the mountain and bring a basketful of green, sweet luscious fruit. But on most of the days Strickland and Ata lived alone. He painted and read and in the evening, when it was dark, they sat together, on the veranda smoking and looking at the night. Ata had a baby followed by another.
Strickland's disease became acute and he became complete blind and Ata acted as her supporter She was always with him. Strickland was to a single room and the result was that the room was filled with stench The Sickly smell of the leper would make the neighborhood d nauseous Ata did not show even an inkling of dislike. She was always at her husband beak and call. Strickland asked her to destroy his Pictures Painted on the walls by seeing the house on fire after his death The pictures could beheld among the greatest Ones in the world After the death of her husband, some people asked Ata not destroy the Pictures Et the Words of her husband we divine orders to her. Therefore she obeyed them. From an Obscure position Ata rose to the level of a Popular lady in the island merely by serving as a faithfully wife to a great painter. She is indeed a remarkable lady.
PLOT CONSTRUCTION:
Somerset Maugham relies on his customary device of the narrator who has some contact with the primary character or characters of the story but who also depends on the revelations of others who knew or at least met the central person or persons. In the case of The Moon and the Sixpence, this strategy works very well.
In the novel The Moon and the Sixpence, Somerset Maugham tells the story through the narrator. The narrator tells what he knows or what he has heard and at the same time he is quick to say that he does not know everything as one would not in real life. He does not claim to understand Mr.Strickland fully nor to grasp the essential genius of his work. But on hearing whatever the narrator tells, the reader gets a sense of reality. The narrator divides the story into four parts, each one entering in an important location, namely London, Paris, Marseilles and Tahiti.
Charles Strickland is a middle aged English stock broker in London. He is a very dull man where as his wife Mrs. Strickland is very nice. She has a real passion for reading. She is an affectionate wife. The Strickland's have two children. The first one is a boy. He is sixteen and his name is Robert. The second one is a girl. She is fourteen and her name is Anne. Both the children resemble their mother rather than their father;
There is a perfect amity among the members of the family. Love and affection is mutual. The wheel of life is running smoothly. But to the shock of everybody, Mr. Strickland abandons his wife and children and runs away to Paris with a view to pursue the vocation of painting.
In Paris Mr. Strickland plays a vital role in the episode of Dirk Stróeve and his wife Blanche .Stroeve. Dirk Stroeve is a bad painter but he earns money by selling his pictures. He owns a studio in Montmatre and Mr.Strickland pays visit to this studio occasionally. Dirk Stroeve is an admirer of Strickland but Mrs. Stroeve does not like him because he does not speak out any word about her husband's paintings. Mr. Strickland is penniless and Dirk Stroeve helps him now and then. When Mr.Strickland falls seriously ill, Mr.Stroeve him to his house much against the opposition of Mrs. Stroeve. But once Mr.Strickland was brought to her house, she looks after him with all kindness. The paradox is that she falls in love with Strickland and they both Join together and send Dirk Stroeve away from the studio. The happiness of love between Strickland and Blanche Stroeve proves to be momentary. Mrs. Stroeve is forced to drink oxalic acid. She dies.
In Paris Mr. Strickland plays a vital role in the episode of Dirk Stróeve and his wife Blanche .Stroeve. Dirk Stroeve is a bad painter but he earns money by selling his pictures. He owns a studio in Montmatre and Mr.Strickland pays visit to this studio occasionally. Dirk Stroeve is an admirer of Strickland but Mrs. Stroeve does not like him because he does not speak out any word about her husband's paintings. Mr. Strickland is penniless and Dirk Stroeve helps him now and then. When Mr.Strickland falls seriously ill, Mr.Stroeve him to his house much against the opposition of Mrs. Stroeve. But once Mr.Strickland was brought to her house, she looks after him with all kindness. The paradox is that she falls in love with Strickland and they both Join together and send Dirk Stroeve away from the studio. The happiness of love between Strickland and Blanche Stroeve proves to be momentary. Mrs. Stroeve is forced to drink oxalic acid. She dies.
In Tahiti Tiare Johnson helps Strickland to many Ata, a negro girl of seventeen. He lives a happy married life. His peaceful and comfortable life with Ata provides him a very good opportunity to concentrate his whole attention on painting. He does paint beautiful pictures of first rate quality. But soon he is affected with leprosy and is confined to his closet. He paints pictures on the walls of his house till he becomes completely blind. He feels satisfied that he has achieved his aim of becoming one of the greatest painters of the world and at the same time he wants to take vengeance on the society for not recognizing his genius for painting. Therefore he asks his wife Ata to destroy the pictures after his death and his wife obeys his words in letter and spirit.
The plot of the novel 'The Moon and the Sixpence' is well-designed and skillfully executed. Though the narrator claims to have collected the episodes from different persons, they are coherently and logically knit together.
TAHITI EPISODE OF STRICKLAND IN TAHITI
At the Chink's Head Inn in Marseille, Strickland was beaten by Tough Bill and Tough Bill was deeply wounded in his head and was hospitalized. Tough Bill's wife informed Captain Nicholas that her husband was swearing to kill Strickland after being discharged from the hospital. Nichols knew Tough Bill's Vindictiveness. After a week a ship was, bound for Australia and he got Strickland board the ship. The narrator wanted to end the book here. But his first idea was to begin the book with the account of Strickland's last years in Tahiti because it was here that Strickland developed himself into a great painter and proved that he had a genius for painting. Therefore he wanted to finish the book by describing the important phase of Strickland's life as a painter
In Tahiti Strickland happened to come across a Jewish trader by name Cohen. Strickland gave him one of his pictures and borrowed from him a loan of two hundred francs. Both Cohen and his: wife did not know anything about the picture. They threw it into an attic. Just before the war .Cohn's brother wrote to Cohen making an enquiry about the English painter Strickland. Cohen sent Strickland's picture to his brother who sold it for thirty thousand francs. Cohen gave Strickland twenty me thousand and eight hundred francs after taking his two hundred francs which he had lent to Strickland earlier.
Strickland became a customer in Tiare Johnson's hotel Ata was some sort of a relation to Tiare. Her father and mother were dead and therefore she had to live with Tiare One day Tiare asked Strickland whether he would marry after a deep thought he gave his consent and he was introduced to Ata, a native girl
Ata was a good girl of seventeen. She was never promiscuous like the other girls in the hotel. She had a bit of property down by Taravao with Copra. Moreover Ata owned a house. Ata also gave her consent to marry Strickland. They were married
Strickland lived with Ata on her property. She gave birth to two children. She proved to be a faithful wife. Referring to her Strickland told one of his friends. She leaves me alone. She cooks my food and looks after her babies. She does what I tell her. She gives me what I want from a woman.
The happy and peaceful life with Ata gave enough opportunity to concentrate his whole attention on painting. During evening hours, he used to visit the neighboring places where he enjoyed beautiful objects of nature. The more he enjoyed nature, the more he became passionate to create beauty. Beauty gave him no peace. It urged him on and on and felt that only beauty with him took the place of truth. He went on creating beauty. But unfortunately he was afflicted with leprosy.
The news that Strickland was afflicted with leprosy spread far and wide in the island of Tahiti; People began to shun the company not only of Strickland but also of his wife and children. Ata could not go to the usual trader to sell her agriculture produce or to buy household things. Their cultivable lands slowly turned into untraded thickets. Life became burdensome. The first child to born to Ata died. Unmindful of all these Strickland went on painting. He painted most of the pictures on the walls of his house. Dr.Courtas attended on Strickland and he was presented with a picture. Strickland became blind gradually. Even after becoming completely blind, his mind was constantly on the pictures on the walls. He asked hi wife to set the house on fire after his death and destroy all the pictures. To Ata the words of Strickland were divine words. She set the house n fire and all the beautiful pictures on the walls were destroyed.
The pictures painted by Strickland on the walls were a work of genius. Strickland himself knew that it was a masterpiece. He had achieved what he wanted. His life was complete. But he destroyed the pictures only in pride and contempt. He had kept the secret of his genius to the grave.