# III explained — The Moon and Sixpence > Chapter companion for The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham. ## What happens The narrator reflects on his early days as a young writer in London's literary circles, describing the social customs, conversations, and eccentricities of the writers and artists he encountered. He contrasts the genteel Bohemia of his youth with the more crude and promiscuous literary world of the present day, and recalls his own timidity and fascination with the brilliant but often cutting conversations of his peers. ## Themes in this chapter ### The Artist as Outcast The narrator describes the literary circle as a 'mystic brotherhood' and notes the strange, unreal quality of the writers he meets, highlighting the artist's separation from ordinary society. ### Convention vs. Individuality The chapter contrasts the conventional, almost business-like discussions of publishing and royalties with the artistic pretensions and eccentricities of the writers, showing the tension between commercialism and creative expression. ## Character check-ins ### The Narrator The narrator recalls his own youthful timidity and his early experiences in London literary society. ## Key lines > I think in those days we were a little shy of our emotions, and the fear of ridicule tempered the more obvious forms of pretentiousness. People in that era were more reserved about their feelings, and the fear of being laughed at kept them from being too openly pretentious. _The narrator reflects on the emotional restraint of the literary circle in his youth._ > The artist has this advantage over the rest of the world, that his friends offer not only their appearance and their character to his satire, but also their work. An artist can satirize not only the looks and personalities of his friends, but also their creative output. _The narrator comments on the unique material that artists have for their satire._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/iii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters