Slide 1: Title Slide
● Title: The Moon and Sixpence: Literary Analysis
● Subtitle: A Study of the Novel and its Artistic Inspiration
● Author: William Somerset Maugham
Slide 2: Author Background
● Early Life:
○ Born in 1874 in Paris
○ Moved to England at age 10
○ Studied at King's School, Canterbury
○ Attended Heidelberg University in Germany
● Career Trajectory:
○ Initially studied medicine
○ Discovered writing talent
○ Became a successful playwright
○ Wrote "Lady Frederick" (1907), launching his career
○ Became a celebrity in his early 30s
● Interesting Facts:
○ Worked as a spy for the British government
○ Traveled extensively
○ Settled in France
○ Died in 1965 at age 91
Slide 3: Novel Inspiration: Paul Gauguin
● Gauguin's Life:
○ French post-impressionist painter
○ Born in 1848 in Paris
○ Left wife and children in Copenhagen
○ Permanently settled in Tahiti
○ Created iconic painting "Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where
Are We Going?"
Slide 4: The Moon and Sixpence: Title Symbolism
● Meaning and Symbolism:
○ Represents an artistic-minded person
○ Metaphor: "Head in the moon" - disconnected from reality, focusing on artistic
vision.
○ "Body collecting pennies" - a symbol of the mundane, practical world.
○ Symbolizes the conflict between dreams and practical reality.
Slide 5: Narrative Structure
● Characteristics:
○ Short novel
○ Narrated by a young London writer
○ Focuses on protagonist Charles Strickland
Slide 6: Charles Strickland: The Artist
● Personality and Traits:
○ Driven by artistic passion
○ Unapologetically selfish
○ Disregards societal norms
○ Desire to create art above all else
Slide 7: Themes
● Artistic Passion:
○ The relentless pursuit of artistic expression
● Isolation:
○ The cost of pursuing one's passion
○ Strickland's alienation from society
● Societal Norms vs. Individual Desire:
○ Conflict between societal expectations and personal fulfillment
○ Strickland's rejection of conventional life
Slide 8: Artistic Representation in the Novel
● Imagery and Descriptions:
○ Vivid descriptions of Strickland's paintings
○ The contrast between the beauty of art and the harshness of reality
● Influence of Gauguin:
○ Strickland's artistic journey mirrors Gauguin's life
○ Exploration of color, form, and emotion in art
Slide 9: Conclusion
● Overall Impact:
○ The Moon and Sixpence as a reflection on the nature of art and the artist
○ Encourages readers to consider the sacrifices made for artistic integrity
● Final Thoughts:
○ The balance between dreams and reality
○ The enduring legacy of both Strickland and Gauguin in the art world
Slide 10: Questions and Discussion
● Open the floor for questions
● Encourage discussion on themes, characters, and artistic influences in the novel
