The moon and sixpence

Last week, I finished the famous book called The moon and sixpence. Actually, I didn’t know the book and what I knew was that it is a masterpiece. That’s why I have to read it.

When I took the book and turned to the first page, it seemed to me that it was not easy to read, because some new words continued to appear in front of my eyes.

What’s more, I spend much time memorizing new words every day. But the words that the author used are out of my beyond.

Even though it was not comfortable with those new words, I made up mind to try to guess and understand them. I tried to make myself focus on what the story was. For example, I just wanted to figure out what happened to someone, what he or she did or why he or she did and so on.

Then I made myself calm to read the book bit by bit. Until I finished it, I began to realize what it is.

 The main character is Mr. Strickland who has a very well-off and comfortable family. He has a graceful and beautiful wife, a handsome son and a pretty clever daughter. In England, he has a promising job. However, he totally gave up all of them to go to Paris. He even didn’t say any word about why he left his family and his hometown. In addition, he didn’t care

What he was like in his family and friends. Without them, he put all his heart into the painting. To be exactly, he thought he was born to be a painter. Strangely, he never learnt to paint. After making much money for his family, it was time to leave without saying goodbye.

At last, Mr. Strickland told us that he was eager to learn to paint and he felt that God asked me to do that. Even though he knew he paint poorly, he just stuck to his own idea and faith. So he just left his family and friends with less money.

Why did he choose to Paris? Because he thought he could get what he wanted there.

As time passed by, he almost spent all of his money to buy some things about paintings. And his paintings were not considered wonderful and worthy. So you can image what kind of life he lived. But he never thought about giving it up. Sometimes there were some kind people who would give a hand to him.

Once he almost died of the disease, luckily, a friend of his brought him home and cared for him until he got better. At that home, his friend’s wife fell in love with him and chose to live with him. But the passion of love didn’t last for long and he left the place to another. In his mind, he didn’t want to live a normal life like ordinary people. That wouldn’t stop him from painting.

In order to continue to paint, he even worked a labor in the ship. When he got money, he wouldn’t hesitate to pick up his paintbrush and was lost in himself.

He didn’t realize why he changed the places until he came to an island, Tahitis. Where he began his new life, he had a happy family again and did what he wanted. He just didn’t know why he had to come here. However, when he found the scenery, he knew what he was longing for. He once was very indifferent to his surroundings, and now his destiny just brought him to the place that really interested him.

Unfortunately, he got leprosy but went on painting and painting. Because of the leprosy, he lost his eyes. He painted plenty of paintings, but the painting he painted on the walls of his hut was the best. After he died of the leprosy, that painting on the walls was burnt by his wife.

Finally, he was considered as a genius by most of people, and his paintings were worthy and valuable.

This is the first time I have read the book. I just learn about a story, but next time I’ll read in the line, and try to have a better understanding of the words and the way W. Somerset Maugham told the story.