Gulley Jimson, a destitute and aging painter, navigates the streets of London while attempting to secure funding for his final, monumental mural. Driven by an unrelenting creative impulse, Jimson maneuvers through a series of chaotic encounters with former associates, creditors, and patrons who view his artistic vision with varying degrees of skepticism or disdain. The narrative is presented through a first-person perspective, capturing the protagonist's erratic internal monologue and his cynical observations of the social order. His primary obstacle remains the tension between his uncompromising aesthetic goals and the mundane, often hostile, physical reality of his poverty-stricken existence.

Discussion often centers on the unique voice of Gulley Jimson, which many critics identify as one of the most distinct characterizations in twentieth-century literature. Readers frequently highlight the balance between the protagonist's abrasive personality and his genuine, if chaotic, commitment to his craft. The pacing is noted for its frenetic energy, mirroring the erratic movements of the artist as he traverses the city. Many analyses focus on the thematic tension between the artist's internal vision and the external constraints imposed by a society that prioritizes stability over creative expression. The work is widely regarded as a significant study of the artistic temperament, providing a complex look at the cost of maintaining a singular focus in a world of competing demands.