Summary 12

The Moon and Sixpence

(by W Somerset Maugham)

Tiare suggests that Crabbe go see Captain Brunot, an old Frenchman who used to play chess with Strickland. Brunot recalls going to see Strickland at his secluded hut, and observing his simple way of life. Strickland lives like a native in an area that looks like the garden of Eden. While Brunot is visiting Strickland, he asks Strickland how he likes living in Tahiti, married to Ata, who now has two babies. Strickland answers that Ata leaves him alone so he can paint, and that he will never leave Tahiti. Brunot is the first to see Strickland's paintings and like them enough to buy several. He sees something wonderful in them, and now that Strickland is famous, he plans to someday have them be his daughter's dowry. Reminiscing with Crabbe, Brunot says that he and Strickland are alike, because they both feel an irresistible urge to create beauty.