Maestro

Maestro suggests that disappointments can lead to personal growth. DISCUSS.   Maestro is a fictional memoir based on the relationship between Paul and his piano teacher,Keller.Deeper,Keller is not only taught Paul piano lesson but also taught him life lesson.Once the story went on,there was a contradictory relationship build between Paul and Keller. As Keller's history was revealed piece by piece,Paul grew up from the former immature young boy. On the one hand,the complexities and the terrible events Keller has experienced lead him into believe that it is his over-confidence bring his wife and son's death thus he always taught Paul with criticisms and suggests Paul to accept his limitations.but on the other hand,it is possible that Keller's relentless criticism may actually prevent Paul from becoming a concert pianist.   Keller's past indicate that self-satisfied is harmful and he had carried the burden of guilt in his rest of life. Once Eduard Keller was a famous concert pianist in Vienna when WW2 started. He played piano for Hitler in Berlin and he strong believed that "Who would harm the wife of Eduard Keller'" Ironically while Keller was performing, the Nazis killed his Jewish wife and son. Keller was devastated, he believed it is his over-confidence caused their death and maturity is gained only through suffering. He started to become one that greatly exaggerates his faults, and suggests that criticism is necessary. Later Keller taught Paul 'life lessons', which was all derived from his own experience, plagued with suffering.   It is clear to see that Keller considered the boy spoilt, arrogant and over indulged by his parents’ doting, he may have found something common with himself in Paul so he tried to teach Paul to be less proud. Yet Paul is corrupted by pride and the idea that he is great, almost perfect even. This self-satisfaction does wonders to boost his ego, as he predicts instant fame and fortune will fall at his feet. When he first meets Keller, he acts as if he knows everything,  believes he has talent to become a concert pianist and he attempt as hard as he could to attain perfection which Keller thought it as an unachievable ideal. Keller told him "To search too long for perfection can also paralyze" and attempt to made him understand he is "one in a thousand", but a concert pianist is "one in a million". Keller's remained critical and impossible to please tried to make Paul disappoint of his limited capabilities. For the influence of Eduard Keller's "self-criticism", later Paul was forced to viewed his younger self as someone with tunnel vision who refused to accept his limitations.   It is also can be argued that it is not impossible Keller may prevent Paul's potential. The Eduard Keller who played with passion and rubato did die symbolically followed with his wife and son during the Holocaust. Paul's piano playing was shaped by Keller and has the same characteristic with Keller's -- technically flawless playing but lacks "rubato". Actually , Paul has a gift for music and he works hard. He feels that he needs Keller praise to accomplish his goals.But this praise is forever absent throughout his training with Herr Keller. Keller insisted Paul's music talent is not enough may shaken Paul's sense of he can surely become a concert pianist and It is clear that Paul's personality has changed throughout the text. Consequently, all these can take account to the factor that Paul cannot  finally achieve his goal.   Goldworthy suggests that we must have dreams to help give meaning and purpose to our live. The disappointment let us to recognized ourselves in a more complete way and sometimes we need expectation lead us to achieve a balance . Like Paul, may be  intensely dissatisfied with his teaching position but his family provide him with essential love and support. But not as Keller ,both over-confidence and over-despairing would lead to personal devastation.