Maestro_Essay

‘First impressions' Misleading, of course’ How does Paul’s view of Keller influence the reader’s understanding of Keller' In the novel Maestro, the author, Peter Goldsworthy, portrays the story through a narrative form. Readers picture and understand the novel from Paul’s point of view. In particular, readers’ views on Keller depend greatly on how Paul depicts him. Throughout the novel, Paul’s view on Keller progresses and changes constantly, thus influencing the reader’s thoughts on Keller as well. Initially, Paul’s hatred towards Keller depicts him as an unpleasant person towards the readers. However, as the story unfolds and as Paul matures up, his gradual change of attitude towards Keller results in a different understanding on the readers. Finally, Paul as an adult realizes the true Keller and by showing his affection for Keller, readers are influenced to think of him as the complete opposite of the person they thought he was initially. Paul’s initial dislike of Keller influences the reader’s view upon Keller that he is a harsh and critical person. The first impressions of Keller on readers are exactly the same as how Paul describes him during his first encounter with Keller. Paul’s remarks on his face as “an incandescent, boozer’s glow” and his hand “a pianist’s hands' Impossible” makes Keller seems as an irresponsible person and an unqualified teacher with no exceptional musical abilities. Furthermore, the attitude Keller shows towards Paul during their first few lessons strengthens the reader’s negative views of him. The harsh critiques and remarks given by Keller influences readers to picture him as a strict and unnerving individual. Paul’s childish and arrogant retort of Keller by describing “him as a Nazi” and “Adolf Keller” tells readers that Keller indeed is a cruel and insensitive teacher. However, the word “misleading” gives readers another glimpse of Keller that he is not who he seems to be. After a few more lessons and meetings between the two, Keller starts to open up to Paul by revealing his wife and son. This results in Paul’s eagerness to find out more about Keller’s background which then causes readers to view him as a mysterious man. Paul’s discovery of Mathilde’s background and death adds to the curiosity of readers to know more of Keller’s true identity. Moreover, Keller’s outburst and hysterical reaction during the Wagner performance leaves a great impact on both Paul and readers on Keller’s bitter past. Keller’s simple curt reply to Paul’s interrogations that “he was too insensitive” implies that his past is extremely horrible and is unspeakable. This influences readers to support their view of Keller as a mystifying person. In addition, although Keller gives Paul endless disapproval and criticism on his “excellent forgery” piano skills, Paul cannot help but notice that his teacher has actually start growing a sense of fondness and affection for him. Keller’s precious Christmas gift and card for Paul is “the nearest he can get to saying that he misses Paul”. This action leaves an impression on readers that Keller is not as cruel and harsh as how Paul described him initially. Paul’s view of him as Adolf Keller slowly disappears. Also, by lending his ‘textbook’ to Paul, Keller shows that he has started to open up and believe in Paul, hence he opens up to the readers as well. Towards the end of the novel, Paul’s view of Keller changes drastically from his first impressions of him. Keller’s endless preparation of Paul for the competition makes Paul feel that he is important to Keller. Moreover, Keller’s ‘consolation’ towards Paul that “he should have won the competition since he was the best” shows a different side of Keller as a teacher. Paul finally realises that “Keller has been like a father to him”. This acknowledgement brings a positive light to the reader’s view on Keller. Furthermore, during the later years, as Paul discovers Keller’s miserable past from Henisch, he finally understands that Keller’s unfriendly and cold attitude was due to his tragic experience in the past. This influences readers to feel sympathetic and pitiful for Keller. Both Paul and readers now know the reason behind Keller’s behaviour through out the novel. Lastly, Paul’s visit and loyal companion towards Keller during his last days in the hospital show the great respect he has for his maestro. With Keller’s death, Paul “wants someone to know that a Great Man had died, whatever the crimes Keller felt he had committed”. This consequently makes readers develop a sense of respect for Keller as well. Paul’s “mourning for himself – for the times and possibilities that would never come again” with the death of Keller causes readers to feel that Keller is indeed a great and admirable man. All in all, Keller’s character change through out the novel is mostly depicted and described from Paul’s point of view. Readers see and judge Keller from how Paul views and interacts with him. As the story unravels, readers can understand better about Keller’s true self and his past. Paul plays a major and important role in the novel to allow readers to portray a better picture of the two different sides of Keller.