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Moon and Sixpence
Recently I have read over a novel, which was written by W.Somerset Maugham, called Moon and Sixpence. It is told in episodic form by a first-person narrator, in a series of glimpses into the mind and soul of the central character Charles Strickland, a middle-aged English stockbroker, who abandons his wife and children abruptly to pursue his desire to become an artist. The story is in part based on the life of the painter Paul Gauguin.
To be honest, Strickland is not so attractive to me as a central character, because he really has prettymany shortcomings in his character. At first, when he was a stockbroker, he was described as a dull man and perfect philistine. And when he went to Paris to pursue his dream, nobody expected his behavior and they thought Strickland had anaffair with somewoman. After arriving at Paris, he lived in abject poverty. He was hostile to almost everyone around him. Even one of his friend looked after him with his wife when he was ill, he didn't say any good words to him. What's worse, he had anaffair with this wife during the period and occupied his friend's studio. As normal human-being , I think everyone would dislike such a man due to his annoying character. However, at the end of the novel, I gradually understand Strickland and comprehend his insistence on pursuing what he wanted to pursue.
The first impression after I read this novel is about dream. Everyone has his inner desire, maybe this would be clandestine in his entire life, but it exists. Most of us are afraid to pursue what we really want, Strickland, however, has the courage to do it. His desire is not about fame or wealth like normal people, but expression of his emotions. Normal people express feelings by talking or complaining, as writers writing and painters painting. Strickland is such a person, he expressed his feelings by painting and painting, without caring about any other thing. He even didn’t call this dream. The only thing he knew is to paint. He lived in a dream, and the reality meant nothing to him.
Next is about Strickland’s attitude towards love. At the beginning of his pursuit, he thought woman is troublesome. He accompanied woman just because of physiological need. Although he hated this, he couldn’t overcome. After he arrived in Tahiti, he married a woman called Ata who hadn’t a drop of white blood in her. When he knew that he got leprosy, Ata didn’t leave but accompanied him and took care of him with efforts. In the novel, it said :”For a moment Strickland’s fortitude was shaken, and a tear filled each of his eyes and trickled slowly down his cheeks.”In the front of the novel, I knew how cruel he was that I really disliked him. But such a strong man was full of tenderness at that minute. As for me, I’m really moved by this and I think he understand the true meaning of love and spouse.
The last thing I want to write is about great man. When I was young and naive, I always think great man or the people I like must be perfect and have no weakness. Having experienced something, I gradually realize that no one is perfect. But speaking of my admired people, I still have the deepest belief that he should be perfect and everyone must admire and respect him. After reading this novel, or after knowing about Strickland, this wrong belief become slighter. Even though he was a great man, many people didn’t like him, including me. Now I become more sensible about it.
In a word, this novel is well worth reading.