"The Moon and Sixpence" is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham that explores the life of Charles Strickland, a stockbroker who abandons his conventional life in pursuit of his passion for art. Inspired by the real-life painter Paul Gauguin, Strickland's character embodies the struggle of an artist against societal norms and expectations. His journey reflects a relentless quest for authenticity and true self-expression, often at the cost of personal relationships and societal approval.