The Moon and Sixpence

BasedonthelifeofPaulGauguin,TheMoonandSixpenceisW.SomersetMaugham'sodetothepowerfulforcesbehindcreativegenius.CharlesStricklandisastaidbanker,amanofwealthandprivilege.Heisalsoamanpossessedofanunquenchabledesiretocreateart.AsStricklandpursueshisartisticvision,heleavesLondonforParisandTahiti,andinhisquestmakessacrificesthatleavesthelivesofthoseclosesttohimintatters.ThroughMaugham'ssympatheticeyeStricland'storturedandcruelsoulbecomesasymboloftheblessingandthecurseoftranscendentartisticgenius,andthecostinhumanslivesitsometimesdemands.