# LII explained — The Moon and Sixpence

> Chapter companion for The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham.

## What happens

The narrator describes the three happiest years of Strickland's life, living with Ata in a remote bungalow on Tahiti, surrounded by tropical vegetation and living off the land. They live a simple, isolated life, with Ata giving birth to a child and various relatives and wanderers joining their household.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Primitive and the Civilized

Strickland's life in the Tahitian wilderness contrasts sharply with his former civilized existence, embracing a primitive, self-sufficient lifestyle.

### The Artist as Outcast

Strickland lives apart from society, isolated in the jungle, fully devoted to his art and his new life away from conventional expectations.

## Character check-ins

### Charles Strickland

Lives happily with Ata in a remote bungalow, painting, reading, and enjoying the simple life.

### Ata

Cares for Strickland, manages the household, gives birth to their child, and maintains connections with her relatives.

## Key lines

> I suppose the next three years were the happiest of Strickland’s life.

The narrator believes Strickland experienced his greatest happiness during this three-year period.

_Highlights the contentment Strickland found in his Tahitian life._

> He painted and he read, and in the evening, when it was dark, they sat together on the verandah, smoking and looking at the night.

Strickland spent his days painting and reading, and at night he and Ata would sit on the verandah, smoking and gazing at the night sky.

_Illustrates the peaceful, simple routine of their life together._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/lii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters