Moon and Sixpence月亮和六便士课件.ppt

The Moon and Sixpence《月亮和六便士》 William Somerset Maugham (1874-19650) William Somerset Maugham English novelist, playwright,and short-story writer whose work is characterized by a clear unadorned(朴实的)style,cosmopolitan(世界性的)settings and a shrewd understanding of human nature. The novel is based on the life of the painter Paul Gauguin. It is told in episodic form by the first-person narrator as a series of glimpses into the mind and soul of the central character. Plots: a well-off, middle-class stockbroker in London Wife and two children Charles Strickland Dirk Stroeve Blanche Leave for Paris Ata Died of leprosy(麻风病） Why it is called The Moon and Sixpence? Metaphor: The moon represents for the spirit,the everlasting pure passion,hung high above Stricklands head,guiding him to pursue his rooted love of art as a painter.Meamwhile,the sixpence is a kind of British coin,stands for the material life. Similarity: They are all round and shiny under the sun. Contrast: There is one and only one moon in the universe while tens millions of sixpence. The moon is unique,sublimately beautiful and sixpence is common,vulgar ,often dirty. It shows the vulgar life of a stockbroker and a genius artist. Theme: Pressures: House loan Auto loan(车贷） House rent Price Competition(job hunting) ChildrenParents ... Social atmosphere: Slaves (house,car,card,children...) Money worship Blind comparison Show off ... As a result, ideality is sacrificed. Reality Ideality Premise basis Motivation aim Thank You!