Chapters 1-6 Summary

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.

The narrator says that, although he knew Strickland in early life, he would not be writing about his friend if he had not gone to Tahiti. Apparently, the most obscure parts of Strickland's life took place in Tahiti, and now the narrator has a chance to interview those who knew Strickland during this time in his life. The narrator muses on...