The Moon and Sixpence · Character

Dr. Coutras

A huge-handed French doctor in Tahiti, fond of a good story and reluctant to walk fourteen kilometres uphill for a painter he despises.

supporting

Also known as Dr. Coutras, Presently Dr. Coutras, LV Mr. Coutras

First appearance: xlviii

As a supporting figure in The Moon and Sixpence, Dr. Coutras is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Dr. Coutras in xlviii Book page

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Dr. Coutras moves through Papeete with a resonant voice, a shrewd eye, and a taste for local gossip about copra and vanilla. When a weeping girl brings him a crumpled hundred-franc note for the Red One, he hesitates — Strickland is to him an idle scoundrel living with a native woman — yet duty and curiosity drag him up the valley. His vivid, theatrical account of what he finds there becomes the narrator's chief window onto Strickland's last days.

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The fuller portrait of Dr. Coutras sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Dr. Coutras in xlviii

Character Web

4 connections

A slice of how Dr. Coutras sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Strickland's Tahitian companions
Protagonist
Strickland's London circle

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Dirk Stroeve’s complete s…

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Relationships

Ata
professional · positive
Charles Strickland
professional · ambivalent
Ata
professional · positive
Ata
professional · positive
Charles Strickland
professional · ambivalent

Ata
Dr. Coutras treats Ata and her children, and later witnesses her devoted care for the dying Strickland.
Charles Strickland
Dr. Coutras treats Strickland during his final illness with leprosy, observing his fierce dedication to art until death.
Ata
Dr. Coutras treats Ata and her children, and later witnesses her devoted care for the dying Strickland.
Ata
Dr. Coutras treats Ata and her children, and later witnesses her devoted care for the dying Strickland.
Charles Strickland
Dr. Coutras treats Strickland during his final illness with leprosy, observing his fierce dedication to art until death.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Dr. Coutras in xlviii

In the story

Dr. Coutras appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Dr. Coutras unlock in the free preview.

See Dr. Coutras in xlviii