I was wondering if anyone would want to read and tell me what they think about my practise essay.
“First impressions? Misleading of course. As always.” (p.3) How far is this statement true of the characters in Maestro?
Peter Goldsworthy writes in order for us to consider the danger of quick conclusions that have little foundation in fact or understanding in the novel, ‘Maestro.’ The author informs the reader of the initial impressions that characters hold of each other. Yet, later judgements can override first impressions, while, other characters have impressions of others that remain the same. The protagonist of the novel, Paul Crabbe, provides readers with his first impressions of his new town, Darwin, but in particular the various characters who he initially meets at the start of the novel.
Readers are informed about Paul’s first meeting with his new piano teacher, Eduard Keller. However, Keller’s refusal to let Paul play on their following meetings, leaves Paul angry and vows ‘never to return.’ (p.13) He addresses Keller as a bad teacher who takes him back to basics at playing the piano. Paul’s quick judgement and stubbornness, leaves him mocking his teacher and requesting for a new one. He mocks his teacher’s thick accent, considering him a drunk, making fun of him as a ‘comic book parody’ of a German Nazi criminal with secrets to hide. Perhaps some hasty judgements, such as the one regarding Keller’s alcoholism, remain correct. However, Goldsworthy seeks readers to consider the danger of quick conclusions that characters make of one another when they do not fully understand the reasons behind their negative motives. Even Keller’s alcoholism is more understandable when recognised as an effect of the horrors he has been through. While Paul’s first impression of Keller as a drunk, remains true, many of the impressions Paul held about Keller were without a doubt false. Keller’s firm grip as a traditional teacher and his skill in talent, causes Paul to think quickly about the maestro’s teachings as a cruel teacher. However, it is Paul’s own self-obsession and his own snobbery that causes him to make these quick judgements. Through time and when Paul starts to understand his teacher, does he really come to understand ‘how much I came to love the man, to depend on him.’ (p.13) The false naming of Keller as a German Nazi criminal by Paul, are his ways of making fun of his teacher but may have known this was not true. Yet, Paul was correct on suggesting that Keller was hiding something and Paul later learns of Keller’s tragic past, who holds a big burden on himself for the loss of his wife and son. Paul’s immaturity may have also impacted on his ill-mannered misrepresentations of the maestro.
Keller is seen as unkempt, careless in habits, a heavy drinker, accompanied by stacks of newspapers from around the world. Despite this, his first impressions of Paul are practically consistent throughout the text. Keller agrees that Paul is poorly taught, emphasizing for his technique to be relearned from scratch, stating that Paul’s hands were in the wrong position, ‘And also your fingertips. Your elbows. I do not have to listen.’ (p.12) Keller, too, knows that Paul is incapable of greatness, teaching Paul all that he could be taught. Yes, Keller thinks of Paul as a disrespectful adolescent at the start, but he may have learnt to grow and love Paul as his own son by the end of the novel. Keller learns to trust Paul significantly, enabling him to unfold and release the secrets he had been carrying inside him for so long, only to Paul. Their connection towards music, was enough to bring them together. However, Keller may have resented having to teach a student at a level so beneath him and this may have impacted on his hasty judgements. Paul’s laziness in completing music tasks may have impacted from his commitments at school and his growing interest in girls.
Megan Murray, the first girl Paul had dreams and feelings for, is seen nothing more by Paul as physically attractive, lustful and popular. His dreams of her innocent, radiant figure soon evaporate when he discovers her selfish nature. These first impressions cited by Paul do not change but he later learns that she is just a ‘pretty face’ and nothing else. His enthusiasm towards Megan were only towards her physical appearance but later understands of her egotistic personality. Paul realizes that mutual respect and devotion are essential to close, long-lasting relationships. Rosie (Rosemary) Zollo, first seen as an academic rival in class by Paul, takes time to realize his desire for her physically. Initially, Paul dismisses Rosie as a rather needy, unappealing schoolgirl, but soon realizes her other qualities of loyalty and emotional depth, a contrast to Megan. They share a mutual understanding and bond that he realises makes words ‘unimportant between us.’ (p.91) His initial impressions of believing she is beneath him in terms of music, may be true as reader’s are not informed on Rosie’s talent in music.
In conclusion, the first impressions made by the characters can change as they learn to understand the character. Obviously, much of what Paul later discovers about Keller overrides his initial judgements. Paul does rather badly, too, in his initial choice of girlfriend, favouring Megan over the much more substantial Rosie. However, first impressions are and are not always misleading. The further events and information learnt about the characters influence their change in character’s impressions of each other and makes them change their minds.
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