# XLV explained — The Moon and Sixpence

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

## What happens

The narrator reflects on how his journey to Tahiti was essential to writing this book, as it was there that Charles Strickland found the circumstances to realize his artistic vision. He describes the beauty and mystery of the island, contrasting its serene, timeless quality with the bustling, colorful arrival at Papeete.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Pursuit of Truth and Beauty

The narrator suggests that in Tahiti, Strickland finally found the circumstances to express the vision he sought, achieving a realization of his artistic dream.

### The Primitive and the Civilized

The chapter contrasts the orderly, English nature of Wellington with the wild, mysterious beauty of Tahiti, emphasizing the island's primal allure.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

The narrator recounts his arrival in Tahiti and his reflections on Strickland's time there.

### Charles Strickland

Strickland is discussed as having found in Tahiti the favorable circumstances to achieve his artistic vision.

## Key lines

> I suppose no artist achieves completely the realisation of the dream that obsesses him, and Strickland, harassed incessantly by his struggle with technique, managed, perhaps, less than others to express the vision that he saw with his mind's eye; but in Tahiti the circumstances were favourable to him; he found in his surroundings the accidents necessary for his inspiration to become effective, and his later pictures give at least a suggestion of what he sought.

The narrator believes that no artist fully realizes their obsessive dream, and Strickland, hindered by technical struggles, may have expressed less of his inner vision than others; yet in Tahiti, the favorable environment provided the necessary elements for his inspiration to flourish, and his later works hint at what he was striving for.

_This passage underscores the theme of artistic genius and the role of environment in creative fulfillment._

> It is as though in this far country his spirit, that had wandered disembodied, seeking a tenement, at last was able to clothe itself in flesh.

In this distant land, Strickland's wandering spirit finally found a physical form to inhabit.

_This metaphor emphasizes the idea of Tahiti as a place where Strickland's true artistic self could manifest._

## Links

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