Theme in the Moon and Sixpence
THE MOON AND SIXPENCE
1.2 Family and social responsibilities
Painting is not only a ‘dreamy moon’ of Strickland but also of many progressive people in bourgeois society. According to bourgeois concepts, all the men have to be responsible for his family and children. He’s forced to have a strong connection with what is considered to belong to him. Strickland’s life is tied tightly down to family’s contract. However, all that sort of things means nothing at all to him. He doesn’t let those reasons impact on his way chasing his passion anylonger. It can be obviously proved through the conversation between two men, Strickland and the author, in chapter II of the novel.
‘Hang it all, one can’t leave a woman without a bob.’ ‘Why not?’ ‘How is she going to live?’ ‘I’ve supported her for seventeen years. Why shouldn’t she support herself for a change?’ ‘Let her try.’ ‘Don’t you care for her anymore?’ ‘Not a bit’
When Strickland talks about his children, his attitude is revealed to be heartlessly scornful.
‘They’ve had a good many years of comfort. It’s much more than the majority of children have. Besides, somebody will look after them. When it comes to the point, the Mac Andrews will pay for their schooling.’ ‘I like them all right when they were kids, but now they’ve growing up I haven’t got any particular feeling for them.’
He totally gives up on his own family, children and thinks that they could live by themselves without his care. Even if they can’t make arrangement for their life, his relatives might come to help. Strickland also doesn’t mind what people loathe and despise him.
‘Everyone will think you a perfect swine.’ ‘Let them.’ ‘Won’t it mean anything to you that people loathe and despise you?’ ‘No’ ‘You don’t care if people think you an utter black-guard?’ ‘Not a damn.’ He really doesn’t care any longer.‘You won’t go back to your wife?’ ‘Never’ ‘You don’t care if she and your children have to beg their bread?’ ‘Not a damn.’ He does everything: abandoned
1.2 Family and social responsibilities
Painting is not only a ‘dreamy moon’ of Strickland but also of many progressive people in bourgeois society. According to bourgeois concepts, all the men have to be responsible for his family and children. He’s forced to have a strong connection with what is considered to belong to him. Strickland’s life is tied tightly down to family’s contract. However, all that sort of things means nothing at all to him. He doesn’t let those reasons impact on his way chasing his passion anylonger. It can be obviously proved through the conversation between two men, Strickland and the author, in chapter II of the novel.
‘Hang it all, one can’t leave a woman without a bob.’ ‘Why not?’ ‘How is she going to live?’ ‘I’ve supported her for seventeen years. Why shouldn’t she support herself for a change?’ ‘Let her try.’ ‘Don’t you care for her anymore?’ ‘Not a bit’
When Strickland talks about his children, his attitude is revealed to be heartlessly scornful.
‘They’ve had a good many years of comfort. It’s much more than the majority of children have. Besides, somebody will look after them. When it comes to the point, the Mac Andrews will pay for their schooling.’ ‘I like them all right when they were kids, but now they’ve growing up I haven’t got any particular feeling for them.’
He totally gives up on his own family, children and thinks that they could live by themselves without his care. Even if they can’t make arrangement for their life, his relatives might come to help. Strickland also doesn’t mind what people loathe and despise him.
‘Everyone will think you a perfect swine.’ ‘Let them.’ ‘Won’t it mean anything to you that people loathe and despise you?’ ‘No’ ‘You don’t care if people think you an utter black-guard?’ ‘Not a damn.’ He really doesn’t care any longer.‘You won’t go back to your wife?’ ‘Never’ ‘You don’t care if she and your children have to beg their bread?’ ‘Not a damn.’ He does everything: abandoned