Artistic Vision
The central theme of The Moon and Sixpence is the concept of an artistic vision. The narrator is fascinated by Strickland's dedication to pursuing his art, to the detriment of everything else in his life. He abandons his family, shows no concern for his health, and puts no effort into developing meaningful relationships. When the narrator finally sees his paintings, he notes that they are reflective of this intensity, as they communicate something to the viewer that is ineffable and overwhelming. While looking at a portrait Strickland had done of Blanche, he notes that it “suggested dim empty spaces, lit only by the eternal stars, where the soul, all naked, adventured fearful to the discovery of new mysteries.” The suggestion of this description is that Strickland is compelled by his devotion to this vision.
Selfishness
In relation to the theme of artistic vision, selfishness is also a major focus of the book. Strickland's single-minded pursuit of painting leads to a great deal of suffering for the people around him. When he leaves for Paris, he leaves his family with no financial support, forcing his wife to work and raise two children on her own. When he has an affair with Dirk's wife, Blanche, he betrays the man who nursed him back from the brink of death. Then, when he breaks things off with her she commits suicide. In all of these cases, he shows no concern for the impact of these actions, or the lives that are damaged by his choices. In this way, the book shows how selfish his pursuit is as Strickland is solely focused on his art and not his treatment of others.
Mysticism
Mysticism is another theme in the novel, as the narrator frequently remarks on the otherworldly intensity of Strickland's work. Later in the book, the narrator discusses the way that Strickland often seemed at odds with his own corporeal form, as he was constantly reaching for a vision of the divine. The narrator describes Strickland's final work, which he does not see himself but only hears accounts of, as both deeply unsettling and incredibly beautiful, suggesting that he was able to perceive things beyond normal understanding.
The Simple Life
The idea of a simple, happy life is another theme in the novel. The narrator repeatedly describes the content domestic lives of various characters. After his wife dies, Dirk plans to return to Holland. The narrator imagines he will marry a kind Dutch woman, paint more unremarkable pictures, and generally live a happy, but unremarkable life. Similarly, after finding work as a typist for prominent writers, Strickland's wife is able to comfortably support her family and they eventually settle into careers and marriages. Maugham uses these examples of normal, uneventful lives to contrast with the intense suffering, selfishness, and extraordinary work that are part of Strickland's life.
Talent
The narrator is constantly taking note of the relative talent of various artists. He notes that Dirk Strove has a good eye for paintings, but cannot produce work of particularly impressive quality. In contrast, Strickland has very little appreciation for great painters and is incredibly cold to everyone around him, but his dedication to his craft yields art of extraordinary quality. The narrator is astonished by this, as he did not find anything about Strickland to be otherwise notable when they first met and assumed he was just another wealthy stockbroker. In this way, the novel seems to note the seeming unpredictability of which artists end up possessing great talent.
Love
Love is another prominent theme in the book. The narrator notices that Dirk Strove is clearly deeply in love with his wife, Blanche, despite that feeling not being reciprocated. Likewise, he sees that Blanche is overwhelmed by her feelings for Strickland, eventually leading her to attempt suicide when he leaves her. In both of these cases, the person in love is eventually hurt by the lack of reciprocation for their love. Only Strickland seems to find a mutually loving relationship with his Tahitian wife Ata, and even that is cut short by Strickland's gruesome death from leprosy. Maugham portrays love as a force with the potential to wound and damage the characters caught in its thrall.
The Narrative Arc of a Life
Throughout the book, the narrator discusses the difficulty of making the episodes of Strickland's life fit into a narrative arc. He frequently stops to note the way that a character like Amy does not serve the story in an obvious manner, as her relatively kind treatment of Strickland makes his departure all the more inexplicable. Likewise, he states that he does not trust the testimony of Captain Nichols, despite retelling his colorful account of Strickland's time in Marseilles. In this way, the narrator is constantly aware of the unresolved complexities of the story he is telling.
