The Moon and Sixpence.

This extract from “The Moon and Sixpence” by W. Somerset Maugham is written by vivid, ironic language. It is about a poor artist, whose paintings were considered by contemporaries absurd. And they were much surprised when dealers from Paris and Berlin began to offer for them the huge sums. Strickland didn't make impression on people, for islanders he was just a “beach-comber”, differing from others only that he drew strange pictures. It is impossible to tell that he formed relationships with people. He not only didn't appreciate material benefits, but also consciously about them refused: he refuses work as soon as earns on paints and a canvas. However, all the debts, he tried to return and if couldn't give money, gave the pictures. Thus the picture also got to Cohen.
Cohen was a Jewish trader, Maugham describes him as “little old Frenchman, with soft kind eyes and a pleasant smile, half trader, half seaman…”. He is good-natured, friendly. But despite seeming simplicity, Cohen is not a simple man; he is a wealthy, with good business acumen. He pities the poor, untalented, in his opinion, the artist and not only gives it work, but also subsequently borrows money, without hoping to receive them back. Cohen emphasizes his love for the artists and even hints at the proximity to the world of art. “I have always had sympathy for artists. It is in our blood, you know”.
The author in the text plays a role of the observer; he pushes the interlocutor to further development of a plot. Maugham doesn't give own comments, any accurate assessment to Strickland's creativity. He reproduces the character through descriptions of other people, from time to time sneering at them.
Inhabitants of the island found Strickland's pictures strange and incomprehensible, and they were very surprised when on them there was a demand. Of course, the relation to the paintings changed dramatically. But people do not regret that do not recognize the genius in a stroller who lived near. They