The Moon and Sixpence · Chapter
XIII explained
The narrator dines with Strickland in Paris, attempting to discuss his abandonment of his family but finding Strickland indifferent.
What happens
The narrator dines with Strickland in Paris, attempting to discuss his abandonment of his family but finding Strickland indifferent. They visit a tavern where a prostitute propositions Strickland, who rudely rejects her, revealing his singular focus on an inner artistic vision.
Themes in this chapter
The Artist as Outcast
Strickland's rejection of social norms and polite behavior isolates him from conventional society.
The Pursuit of Truth and Beauty
Strickland's indifference to worldly pleasures suggests a single-minded pursuit of an inner artistic vision.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
Dines with Strickland, reflects on his own moral discomfort and curiosity about Strickland's state of mind.
- Charles Strickland
Shows indifference to the narrator's mission and to the prostitute's advances, absorbed in his own vision.
- Colonel MacAndrew
Mentioned as someone who would have approved of a stout refusal to dine with Strickland.
Key passages
“Only the poet or the saint can water an asphalt pavement in the confident anticipation that lilies will reward his labour.”
Only someone with extraordinary faith would expect good results from a hopeless effort.
The narrator reflects on the futility of trying to morally influence Strickland.
“I think now that he was blind to everything but to some disturbing vision in his soul.”
He seemed oblivious to his surroundings, focused only on a troubling inner vision.
The narrator's insight into Strickland's obsessive artistic drive.
“Tell him it's for love.”
Tell him I want to be with him out of affection, not for money.
The prostitute's attempt to appeal to Strickland emotionally.