The Contrast Between Keller and Paul in Maestro Essay

Experiences can change the outlooks we have on life, and the ways in which we deal with certain situations. In Maestro, Paul Crabbe and Eduard Keller experience very different lives. Their past experiences have helped shape who they are and the ways in which they deal with situations. Through reading Peter Goldsworthys Maestro, we are able to see that Kellers story depicts the darker side of human experience, while Pauls story reveals the lighter aspect.

Kellers experiences during World War II have led him to view the world as a dark, sinister place. Living in Vienna, the home of Mozart, Keller was a respectable pianist and had a loving family. However the effects of a Nazi government caused him to loose the most precious thing in his life, his family, and affected his life in such a way that he exiled himself from everything that reminds him of them. When Keller finally confided in Paul, he felt that he needed to rid himself of some of the weight of guilt for having played for Hitler while Mathilde and Eric were being captured by the Nazis. This guilt is carried by Keller constantly, and we begin to see signs of blame in things that Keller says and does. Keller continually tells Paul that Work makes free the same words that framed the gateway to the Auschwitz death camp. When Keller joins the Crabbes at a symphony orchestra concert in Darwin, he begins to cry and shout during a Wagner excerpt. He expresses his loss for his wife and son as his wife Mathilde was a Wagner specialist, and Paul discovers the extent of Kellers pain when he arrives at his lesson one day to find Keller playing and singing Wagner. Ultimately, Keller blames himself for his familys death, saying that he was too insensitive to leave Austria when they had the chance as he thought that The evil would pass All things pass. As a form of self-punishment Keller registered as a Jew to try and find them, and when he was unsuccessful in that, he cut off his finger. Henisch tells Paul that Keller had told him if he ever felt the desire to play again he would hack off his fingers, one by one. This serves as a constant reminder to Keller of his family and how his music was unable to save them. Although Kellers tragedy lies in his past, it continues to haunt him throughout his life in Australia.

Pauls experiences throughout his childhood and early adult life enable him to perceive the world through optimistic, yet critical eyes. Unlike Keller, Paul has encountered reasonably happy experiences throughout his life. He was born into a family of musicians who are constantly uncritical in the way they view their sons musical ability, showing him off to their friends and whoever will listen. Like any teenager, Paul thoroughly enjoys the fuss and praise received from his parents friends when they hear him play the piano, however Kellers constant criticism of Pauls playing leaves him with a confused view of his talent. Like most teenagers, Paul learns about the importance of relationships in his life, with his parents, girls and Keller. As he gets older he begins to realise that Keller sees Paul as the son he never got to see grow up, and it is Kellers love for Paul that causes him to be so critical in the way he teaches Paul. When Paul calls Keller a Nazi, he fails to understand the true meaning of this word and the significance it has to Keller and his family. It is this ignorance that Paul displays when he refuses to listen to Keller explain the reasons for the things he did in his past. Pauls experiences, though not totally carefree, are substantially untroubled compared to those of Kellers.

The Textbooks in Maestro signify not only Keller and Pauls views on life, but the different experiences they have dealt with. Kellers Libretti contain stories throughout the world where terrible events have taken place. Keller uses this as a mechanism to stay in touch with Vienna, and to remind himself of the atrocities that occurred when his wife and son were killed in the Holocaust. Pauls Form Guide contains the bad news that struck him his competition results that confirmed that he would never be able to become a famous concert pianist. However, Paul realises that he still has a wife and a daughter. Keller knows that he does not have any family to love and care for, and uses his Libretti as a constant reminder.

Throughout his life, Keller had to deal with the most distressing situation of them all, loosing his family. Although Paul did not have a picture-perfect life, Peter Goldsworthy shows a deliberate contrast between Pauls supportive family and carefree childhood and Kellers frightful loss of his family during World War II. It is our experiences who make us who we are, and Kellers story reveals the darker side of human experiences compared to Pauls.