# XLVII explained — The Moon and Sixpence

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

## What happens

Captain Nichols recounts his time with Strickland in Marseilles, where they lived in extreme poverty, staying at the Asile de Nuit and later with Tough Bill. They struggled to find work and food, and eventually got into a violent brawl with Tough Bill, forcing them to flee the city.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Primitive and the Civilized

The chapter contrasts the brutal, primitive life of Marseilles' low quarters with the civilized comfort the narrator knows, highlighting Strickland's immersion in a raw, savage existence.

### The Artist as Outcast

Strickland lives as a vagabond and outcast, painting a portrait for Tough Bill in exchange for supplies, illustrating his rejection of conventional society.

## Character check-ins

### Charles Strickland

Strickland is living in destitution in Marseilles, relying on shelters and Tough Bill's boardinghouse. He paints a portrait of Tough Bill and later gets into a violent fight with him.

### Captain Nichols

Captain Nichols becomes Strickland's companion in Marseilles, sharing his struggles with hunger and homelessness. He narrates their experiences to the author.

### Tough Bill

Tough Bill runs a sailors' boardinghouse in Marseilles. He provides shelter but later throws Strickland and Nichols out after a dispute. He fights Strickland and is knocked unconscious.

### The Narrator

The narrator listens to Captain Nichols' account of Strickland's time in Marseilles and attempts to piece together the story.

## Key lines

> I guess you’d better get out of Marseilles before Tough Bill comes out of hospital

Captain Nichols advises Strickland to leave Marseilles to avoid retaliation from Tough Bill.

_This marks the end of their time in Marseilles and leads to Strickland's eventual departure for Tahiti._

> This beats cockfighting

Strickland comments on the violent brawl, showing his sardonic amusement.

_Reflects Strickland's detached and ironic attitude toward the brutal events._

## Links

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