Individual Reading part 1

The narrator recollects the circumstances in which he first met Charles Strickland, who is now famous. He begins by pointing out that there seems to be nothing special about Charles Strickland, but then says that the man is a genius. The narrator talks about how Strickland is relatively obscure in life, and that his emotional style of art is misunderstood. He then lauds the legends which have risen up about Strickland, saying that such legends are the key to immortality.So Charles Strickland disappears with no explanation. The narrator, having been sent in pursuit by the grieving and confused wife of Strickland, tracks him down in Paris. There he finds his target who is unrepentant and offers an explanation of his behaviour which is at odds with the theories of those he has left behind. Strickland is remorseless and absolutely determined to fulfill the desire he has within to paint.