# XXV explained — The Moon and Sixpence

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

## What happens

Dirk Stroeve insists the narrator accompany him to his studio, where he pleads with his wife Blanche to allow the gravely ill Charles Strickland to be nursed in their home. Blanche vehemently opposes, expressing hatred and fear of Strickland, but after emotional argument and a mysterious reference to her own past distress, she reluctantly consents.

## Themes in this chapter

### Convention vs. Individuality

Blanche's conventional fear and hatred of Strickland clashes with Dirk's reverence for his genius and his willingness to defy social norms to help him.

### Love and Obsession

Dirk's love for his wife and his obsessive admiration for Strickland's genius create a painful conflict, while Blanche's intense emotions suggest a deeper, possibly obsessive fear.

## Character check-ins

### Dirk Stroeve

Pleading with his wife to let Strickland be nursed in their home, showing his compassionate and forgiving nature.

### Blanche Stroeve

Initially refuses to have Strickland in her house, expressing hatred and fear, but eventually yields after an emotional appeal.

### The Narrator

Accompanies Stroeve to the studio and observes the domestic conflict, offering minimal commentary.

### Charles Strickland

Mentioned as being gravely ill and alone in a filthy attic; the subject of the argument.

## Key lines

> He's a great artist.

Strickland is a genius.

_Dirk justifies his desire to help Strickland by appealing to his artistic greatness._

> I'm frightened of him. I don't know why, but there's something in him that terrifies me. He'll do us some great harm.

Blanche confesses an inexplicable fear that Strickland will bring disaster upon them.

_Blanche's premonition of doom foreshadows future tragedy._

> Haven't you been in bitter distress once when a helping hand was held out to you?

Remember when someone helped you in your own time of need.

_Dirk's words trigger a mysterious change in Blanche, hinting at a past she rarely discusses._

## Links

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