1、The Moon and Sixpence,William Somerset Maugham,The Moon and Sixpence,Theme,Comments,Author & works,Character Analysis,Plots,Beautiful Sentences,Contents,The Author,William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965)British novelist His father was a lawyer, working France , so he was born in France. He was adopted
2、by his uncle at age 10. Because of being short and stutter, he was bullied by other kids. His childhood was lonely and full of sorrow and he finally became a sensitive boy. Childhood experiences had a great influence on his literary.,His best-known works Human bondage (1915), 人性的枷锁 Ashenden (The Bri
3、tish Agent)(1928), 阿申登故事集(一个英国间谍) Cakes and Ale (The Skeleton in the Cupboard )(1930)寻欢作乐 The Razors Edge（1944）刀锋,Writing style His works are characterized by a clear plain style, worldwide setting and a sophisticated understanding of human nature.,The story is told by the first-person narrator ”I”
4、happens to know the life of the central character, Charles Strickland,Character AnalysisAppearance: old jacket, dirty hat, baggy trousersunshaved chin, small eyes, an aggressive nose, a large mouth, sensual lips, rough and strongCharacteristic: blackguard, cool, indifferent, crazy, decisive, pursuit
5、 of fine artsforever love for painting,unique、beautiful,The metaphor of the moon and sixpence,tens millions、common、vulgar,The moon : the spirit and kind of people pursuing ideals,Sixpence :British coin ,the people of materialism.,Our feelings about the book,Maslows hierarchy of needs a different but
6、 great person. inside personality of Maugham. satisfied his desire imaginarily. I dislike Strickland But after reading it, Everyone has the right to choose how to live. Whether he prefers sixpence or the moon, we should respect him.,Our feelings about the book,Actually l dislike Strickland, because
7、he is heartless to his family. He is arrogant and selfish to his friends. He looks down upon women. So many criticisms I want to say. But after reading it, his courage, persistence and perseverance moved me a lot. I have to admit that genius is always bizarre, crazy and lonely. Everyone has the righ
8、t to choose how to live. Whether he prefers sixpence or the moon, we should respect him.,Our feelings about the book,Someone may reproach Stricklands irresponsibility, giving up wife and family, but i think there is no such conclusion in the book to show whether Stricklands behavior is right or not.
9、 In my opinion, the meaning of everyones life depend on everyone himself, what you want to do for this society and what you want to be.,Our feelings about the book,Many people have desires for the bright moon, however, with no bravery to step forward to pursue it. Finally , they choose the sixpence
10、in the floor , which they can pick it up with no pains . They can not easily get rid of the attracts in the world so that there is no way to attach the moon and enjoy the spiritual pleasure. In the novel, the hero, Strickland made it , and he deserves the title of the real genius.,Our feelings about
11、 the book,Strickland acts like a wired and unreasonable man whos ironic attitude is really annoying But, none of us can deny Strickland is a great artist and a real genius. I believe that just because his seemingly annoying personality protects his enthusiastic pursuit of beauty and his strong desir
12、e of creation makes him keep drawing until his death. Not so much he is a dream-seeker as he is a beauty-creator.,Philosophical Sentences,Why should you think that beauty, which is the most precious thing in the world, lies like a stone on the beach for the careless passer-by to pick up idly? Beauty
13、 is something wonderful and strange that the artist fashions out of the chaos of the world in the torment of his soul.为什么你认为美世界上最宝贵的财富会同沙滩上的石头一样，一个漫不经心的过路人随随便便地就能够捡起来？美是一种美妙、奇异的东西，艺术家只有通过灵魂的痛苦折磨才能从宇宙的混沌中塑造出来。,Philosophical Sentences,Is to do what you most want, to live under the conditions that plea
14、se you, in peace with yourself, to make a hash life; and is it success to be an eminent surgeon with ten thousand a year and a beautiful wife? I suppose it depends on what meaning you attach to life, the claim which you acknowledge to society, and the claim of the individual. 难道做自己最想做的事，生活在让你感到舒服的环境
15、里，让你的内心得到安宁是糟践自己吗？难道成为年入上百万英镑的外科医生、娶得如花美眷就算是成功吗？我想这取决于你如何看待生活的意义，取决于你认为你应该对社会做什么贡献，应该对自己有什么要求。,Conclusion:This book deserves us read, discuss and think over and over again. It claims the value orientation which is very important in our life- Follow your heart or Follow the crowd? Walk alone or swim with the tide?,
