# XIII explained — The Moon and Sixpence

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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