Tuesday 7 June 2011

sample essay on darkness and isolation in Maestro

In Maestro darkness is used to represent Keller's all-consuming past and his attempts to isolate himself from society. While the imagery of the "brilliant furnace of the rising sun" suggests that every day offers possibilities, Keller's future is "ruddered" by the "clouds" of his past. His life, like the sky "slowly thickens" with grief and regret and he is unable to see the future that could be possible in Darwin. While others in the community have windows and doors "open to maximum aperture" and open their lives both literally and figuratively to the environment, Keller keeps his louvres "tightly shut". As the narrative unfurls, Paul is admitted to the "monastery" above The Swan for more than the obligatory piano lessons. In their final meeting, light "glinted" from the "open door" symbolising Keller's growing hope however Paul only sees the "dark shuttered room", not the "confessional" that he discerns with hindsight. Goldsworthy's use of imagery powerfully portrays the idea of a sinner seeking forgiveness in a dark, private confessional. Indeed, Keller uses the darkness both to hide from his past, and to deny his future however it is Paul who is truly in darkness, unable to "recognise the scene" for what it was.

sample essay on perfection in MAESTRO

Paul's search for perfection is evident in the way he recalls his performances throughout the 'memoir'. When he plays for Henisch he gives his "finest performance". It was a performance requiring "intellectual" and "technical" ability however his focus on perfection, his determination to be "technically flawless" prevents Paul from accessing the emotional side to the music. Ultimately we see that Paul is unable to play with "more rubato" which limits his ability to achieve true greatness. Similarly, Paul's descriptions of prior performances and lessons focus with "tunnel vision" on the skills and abilities he demonstrated. His quest for perfection seemed to "paralyse" and then to "infuriate". This is in part due to Keller's way of teaching that "music is a kind of arithmetic" and Paul's own cripppling pride.

MAESTRO ESSAY TOPICS

In learning about the ‘maestro’, Paul also learns about himself. Discuss.

Neither Keller nor Paul is an entirely admirable character. Discuss.

The text shows that guilt is the most powerful factor in determining the choices we make in life. Discuss.

‘I belonged to Keller’s school, in the broad sense.’ p.127 This reveals as much about Paul as it does about Keller. Discuss.

Maestro is ultimately an optimistic book, which suggests that personal growth can arise out of disappointment. Discuss.

Even by the end of the novel, Paul fails to completely understand Keller. Discuss.

A strong sense of place is common to the characters in Maestro. Discuss.

While the driven and self-centred Paul is not especially likeable, he is still able to command the reader’s sympathy. Discuss.

While Rosie Zollo is depicted as a positive character, the female characters in Maestro are completely subordinated to the needs of the men around them. Discuss.

Paul the adult is much more likeable than Paul the adolescent. To what extent do you agree?

Looking back Paul reflects that Keller was the worst possible teacher for him. To what extent do you agree?

At the end of the narrative, Paul calls Keller a ‘great man’. To what extent do you agree?

The world the novel presents is not a kind place. To what extent do you agree?

Keller teaches Paul far more about life that he ever does about music. To what extent do you agree?

Maestro illustrates the impossibility of escaping the past. To what extent do you agree?

To what extent has Paul learnt the lessons Keller wished to impart by the end of the novel?

This novel is about contrasting people and places. To what extent is this an accurate description of the novel?
The novel is about a boy and his music lessons. How accurately does this sum up the concerns of the novel, Maestro?

In exploring the gap between talent and genius the novel appears to endorse the Australian saying that ‘near enough is good enough’. What point do you think the writer makes?

‘That last “littleness” was impossible to bridge.’ The novel shows that the search for perfection is a foolish one ending in despair. Is that the message of the novel?

Paul’s indulgent parents are ultimately responsible for his obsessive nature, and ultimately his unhappiness. Do you agree?