The Moon and Sixpence · Chapter
XLIII explained
The narrator reflects on the inadequacy of his account of Charles Strickland, lamenting the lack of known motives behind Strickland's drastic decision to become a painter.
What happens
The narrator reflects on the inadequacy of his account of Charles Strickland, lamenting the lack of known motives behind Strickland's drastic decision to become a painter. He contrasts the dull facts of Strickland's ordinary early life with the more dramatic narratives a novelist might invent. The narrator also discusses Strickland's relationship with Blanche Stroeve, admitting his ignorance of the details of their three months together, and reflects on the nature of love and art, concluding that Strickland, though odious, was a great idealist.
Themes in this chapter
Artistic Genius and Sacrifice
Strickland's single-hearted pursuit of art is portrayed as requiring immense sacrifice, not only of himself but of others, and his life is described as consisting of dreams and tremendously hard work.
Love and Obsession
The narrator contrasts the fictional emphasis on love with its actual minor role in men's lives, and discusses Blanche's obsessive love for Strickland and her tragic attempts to bind him.
The Artist as Outcast
Strickland is depicted as living in Paris more lonely than an anchorite, indifferent to money and fame, and asking only to be left alone, embodying the artist as an outcast from society.
Characters to notice
- Charles Strickland
Reflected upon as a man whose motives for becoming a painter remain obscure; described as practical, matter-of-fact, single-minded, and lacking self-consciousness; his real life consisted of dreams and hard work, and he is seen as a great idealist despite being cruel, selfish, brutal, and sensual.
- The Narrator
Acknowledges the unsatisfactory nature of his account, admits ignorance of key facts, and contrasts his factual narration with what a novelist might invent; reflects on the nature of love, art, and Strickland's character.
- Mrs. Strickland
Mentioned hypothetically as a character who could have been drawn differently in a novel, but the narrator chooses to stick with the facts.
- Blanche Stroeve
Her tragic union with Strickland is discussed; the narrator speculates on her feelings of dismay and her attempts to bind Strickland to her, despite his aloofness.
- Dirk Stroeve
Referenced in the context of Blanche's surrender to Strickland, which may have involved a sense of triumph over Stroeve.
Key passages
“I think I should have shown a strong vocation in boyhood, crushed by the will of his father or sacrificed to the necessity of earning a living; I should have pictured him impatient of the restraints of life; and in the struggle between his passion for art and the duties of his station I could have aroused sympathy for him.”
The narrator imagines that if he were writing a novel, he would have invented a story of Strickland's artistic calling being suppressed by his father or by economic pressures, making his later rebellion more sympathetic.
The narrator contrasts fictional invention with the dull facts of Strickland's life.
“His real life consisted of dreams and of tremendously hard work. Here lies the unreality of fiction. For in men, as a rule, love is but an episode which takes its place among the other affairs of the day, and the emphasis laid on it in novels gives it an importance which is untrue to life.”
The narrator asserts that Strickland's true existence was focused on his artistic vision and labor, and that fiction exaggerates the role of love, which in reality is just one of many concerns for most men.
Reflection on the nature of fiction versus reality, and the subordinate role of love in Strickland's life.
“Strickland was an odious man, but I still think he was a great one.”
Despite Strickland's unpleasant and selfish character, the narrator believes he achieved greatness through his artistic vision and dedication.
Final judgment on Strickland, balancing his moral failings with his artistic greatness.
