InspiredbythelifeofPaulGauguin,TheMoonandSixpenceisatonceasatiriccaricatureofEdwardianconventionsandavividportrayalofthementalityofagenius.CharlesStrickland,aconventionalstockbroker,abandonshiswifeandchildrenforParisandTahiti,tolivehislifeasapainter.Whilsthisbetrayaloffamily,dutyandhonourgiveshimthefreedomtoachievegreatness,hisdecisionleadstoanobsessionwhichcarriessevereimplications.