Strickland's Passion And Carefree Attitude example essay topic

Through experience I've learned that one must have passion and a sense of selfishness to accomplish their goal. Both of these qualities are obtained by the character of Charles Strickland in The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham. Many people look at some of Strickland's qualities as character flaws. Strickland will give up all that he has for his painting. He also puts himself in front of others at all times. Personally, I find this admirable.

Strickland's passion and carefree attitude are an inspiration to me. Charles Strickland has a passion for painting. Even though he is not blessed with a great talent at first, he is still willing to risk everything for this passion. Strickland leaves his family to move to France to pursue this dream of his. He gives up his comfortable life he had in England. The author shows this in the quotation about Strickland's shabby home.

"The quarter was not fashionable: it was not even respectable" (Maugham 49). Strickland does not seem to mind that he is now poor. Maugham also shows that Strickland feels like he is obligated to take this opportunity and follow through with his dream of painting. "I tell you I've got to paint. I can't help myself" (60). The quotation is a quote directly from Strickland.

It is used to show the reader how zealous he is about his painting. He is willing to give up all that he has for this dream. With the story being told in first person by a narrator we get to see the narrator's view towards Strickland. The narrator recognizes this fire in Strickland's eyes for painting. The narrator shows us through this quotation, "There was real passion in his voice, and in spite of myself I was impressed" (60). Maugham shows us that the narrator is not fond of Strickland but is inspired by his enthusiasm towards his work.

This is how extreme his passion was his work really was. Many of us wish we had the guts to get up and leave our normal lives to chase a dream. Whether it is practicing for hours each day to become a professional athlete and just isolating yourself to write poetry for a living, many of us can't get ourselves to do it. We don't have the pure drive and desire like Strickland did. Strickland was able to pursue his passion by letting down all of his guards and just going for it. There was no fear of failure for him.

Another quality of Charles Strickland is his carefree attitude. Strickland was very selfish and did whatever would make him happy. Some might look at this as a character flaw but I see it as a positive quality. Strickland loved what he did and didn't care what other thought of him. The narrator questions him about this and Strickland's response is that he does not care". 'Won't it mean anything to you to know that people loathe and despise you?' 'No.

' " (56). This is a prime example of Strickland's carefree attitude. His selfishness is evident when he leaves his family and then leaves Mrs. Stroeve. Strickland is only worried about his own happiness. After Dirk Stroeve and his wife take an ill Strickland into their home, he leaves with Dirk's wife. He doesn't care if Dirk is upset or mad.

He just does what he pleases. Strickland shows how he does not care about other people's judgment by saying, "My dear fellow, what the hell do you suppose I care what you think of me?" (178). This quality of Strickland is what I find to be the most inspiring. As a young person in today's day and age, other people's opinions are valued too much.

For example, many of us don't do things because we " re afraid of being embarrassed or mocked. Strickland has no fear of any of this. He does what he likes. I wish that I had the same courage as him to be able to get over this fear of social rejection. Strickland's passion and carefree attitude are what helped him become a successful artist today.

He put his goals in front of everything else in the world. He was willing to sacrifice all of his material possessions and loved ones for his vision. One of the best quotes from the book shows us this. "He asked nothing from his fellows except that they should leave him alone. He was single-hearted in his aim, and to pursue it he was willing to sacrifice not only himself- many can do that- but others. He had a vision" (201).