In the story “The Moon and Sixpence”, the main character named Charles Strickland sacrificed everyone and everything just to follow his inner vision, which is to paint. He does not care about society as well as material things; he just lives for ideas and is indifferent to everything else. As a man of social strings attached, he is the heartless, selfish and irresponsible one but as an artist, he is surely the great, brave and devoted one.

To begin with, Charles Strickland is the heartless, selfish and irresponsible person as far as an ordinary person is concerned. The story, as it is told, Strickland is “worthy member of society, a good husband and father, an honest broker”. However, one day in a natural movement of absolute freedom, he just leaves. Afterwards, in meeting after meeting with the narrator, Strickland proves himself to be nothing else but empty of normal response

“Then, what in God’s name have you left her for?”

“I want to paint”

He just “want to paint”, which is an extremely mild way of putting that he needs to madly pursue a genius demon inside of him. He merely repeats “I’ve got to paint” until finally he is confronted with “you are a most absolute cab” to which he replies “Now that you’ve got that off your chest, let’s go and have dinner”.

His dryness makes you laugh. But then you realize that he is seriously empty and the ordinary emotions turn to sadness and then disgust for him. He is absolutely indifferent and inhumane. He thinks that he has fulfilled his duties towards his family. He deserts whatsoever is usually thought of as valuables family, career, friends, fame, etc. to everything that should be highly appreciated, he uses cold and disgusting words to say

“Not a dam”, “She can go to hell”…

All that could show us the emotions common to most of us simply did not exist in him. Besides, even himself, he does not care a bit. He comes to live in the other’s studio without thinking of altering a thing. To put it shortly, there is no end to Strickland’s depth of callousness; he simply does not feel those feelings that others feel about social commitment and responsibility towards others.

As an artist, Strickland is a brave, great and devoted character. He used to want to paint when he was a boy but those passions never die after time goes by. After such a long time, at the age of forty, he dares to desert everything to pursue his passion. Surely enough, all of these emphasize the devotedness, the clever unconvincingness, of his portrait � the vigor and personality of one who will starve and suffer for the sake of his artistic ideal. Additionally, Charles never paints before the time he takes the classes at night. What can ensure his success? What will he lose and gain if he sets in his way? Whatever it may come, Strickland chooses his own way of fulfilling his inner passion. He lives true to his self, true to his desire, which makes me admire him a great deal. He sacrifices his everything to art. He is obviously a true artist.

In conclusion, although Charles Strickland is an odious, paradox nature, I still think he is a great one. He is so brave and determined as well as so true and complete. In him, we see the mixture between the good and the bad. The character is sharp in the story and you can have a full, bright concept of him. I admire him about his bravery, true self, and determination although I know it hurt him terribly when he has to make a clear-cut choice.