Book Review: The Moon and Sixpence

 

The Moon and Sixpence is a novel released by W. Somerset Maugham, an English playwright, novelist, and short-story writer, in 1919. The protagonist is Charles Strickland, who gives up everything of his life—perusing his dream without the bond, the pure and only dream – drawing.

I have heard this great writer W. Somerset Maugham from a film review on The Painted Veil (2006). His works have received rave reviews among many reviewers even till now about his observation of humanity. By thinking of reading his other work after being published a century later, I picked a book about pursuing a passion by sacrificing everything in life. The metaphor of ‘moon’ is the idealistic realm of Art and Beauty, while ‘sixpence’ represents human relationships and the ordinary pleasure of life.

Should we pursuit the dream?

Charles Strickland was described as someone who looked commonplace, just a suitable, dull, honest plaint. All of a sudden, the hero left his wife only with a letter after seventeen years of marriage. Then he went off to Paris, and no one could change his mind. The book did not cover how a forty-year-old stockbroker with children nearly grown-up clicks his desire for art after more than a century’s stable life that everyone thinks could never go wrong. Many Asian parents or even young adults treat prosperity as their life goal. It is easy to understand – if we do not have the wealth to survive our basics, how should we convince people we care to believe us? And if we followed the crowd, immersing ourselves into the competitive but beneficial workforce market. How many of us would be as brave as the protagonist, giving up all to fulfil the younger self’s desire?

“I want to paint.”

“But you’re forty.”

“That’s what made me think it was high time to begin.”

/

Question: Do you think it is selfish and dumb to pursue their dream if they had a settled-down relationship with a child or two and a respectable career? Do you consider that a wise decision?

 

Emotions and Actions

Dirk Stroeve is a very kind man, a substandard artist, though he possessed a keen sense of art. His simple thoughts bring Charles to his house for good care (his wife nurse Strickland in his illness), his wife refuses and rejects, but he insists. He shares his studio with Charles without noticing his wife, and his wife falls in love with the moved-in, gifted artist. He still loves his wife so deeply that when he sends Charles back to his place, Dirk’s wife state she will follow wherever Charles goes. Dirk is hurt but what he did was senseless and heinous. Dirk leaves the lovers in his studio and even gives his wife money. After her suicide, Dirk returns to the studio and finds her nude portrait. The outrageous render him to destroy the unbearable mark of love, but he can’t do so since he believes it is a marvellous piece by Charles. Dirk returns to live with his mother in Holland. At this point, Dirk still invites Charles to go with him to Holland.

I have never read any character like Dirk before – extremely raw plus no other thoughts when contacting others. He has no pride. He, again and again, shows a lack of self-love and self-esteem, which put the narrator and readers speechless (I was surprised and angry the first few times, but felt helpless and disappointed when he once again against his voice). After his wife swallowed a load of oxalic acid trying to killed herself, Dirk shows how inferior he could be to just wish to have a glimpse of her wife. Out of guilt and shame I supposed, the woman refuses to see him, making Dirk distraught. The inferior and the attitude of him causes one to have pity on him but at the same time and put them in an embarrassing position as his friends and the doctor and nurse which his wife’s healer.  

It is, to me, a new way to read throw words considering the characters’ reactions, to comprehend the needs of self-growth which manage emotions correctly helps one to deal with situations properly by not hurting themselves.

/

Question: You admire a person for his or her talent; however, he or she insults your work and despises you on your face. Now, his lack of morals is covered by his illness and poverty. Will you take care of the person dedicatedly?