MaestroStudyNotes
Thesetting
Darwin,1967.Thesettingofthisbookrepresentsmanythings.Firstly,Darwinin
1967isaplaceofisolationfarawayfromthecivilisationofsouthern
Australia.Peoplewhocameheresoughtforgetfulness,notremembranceA
townpopulatedbymenwhohadrunasfarastheycouldflee.Itsaplace
populatedby,Allthedrifters,themisfits.Thesethings,ofcourse,applyvery
obviouslytoKeller,amanfleeingfromthememoryofthedeathofhisJewish
wifeatthehandsoftheNazis,butfleeingalsofromtherolehehadinherdeath.
Butthesethingsarealsotrueofothercharacters.Paul,forexample,verymuch
seeshimselfasamisfit(Allofwhichleftmetheircrossbreed,theirmulatto
where?).ThenthereisPaulsfatherMedicineincreasinglyboredhim.He
feltburntout,neededtorechargetheemotionalreservoirs.Eacheveninghesat
overhiseveningmealimaginingsomehilltopdreamplantationacharacter
wantingtobesomethingotherthanwhatheis.Therearealsootherminor
characters,likeRickWhiteleyVariousrumoursheldthathehadfledNorthfor
variousunspeakablereasons.Whatssimilaraboutallthesecharacters?Theyre
allmen,andthisisverymuchanovelaboutmasculineidentity.
However,thesettingofDarwinisnotjustimportantbecauseofitsisolation.Its
tropicalenvironmentisalsoimportantinunderstandingthecharactersandtheir
innerlives.Iwantedtobeoutinthewarmrain,pushingthroughthewet
vegetation,physicallypartofitIclosedmyeyesandlistenedtothesoundsof
thenight,tothewetearthsmearingitselfwithgreenness,Paulsays.Forhim,
thelushgreenofthetropicsrepresentshissexualawakeningandhis
relationshipwithRosie.Eachdaymyeyesseemedtobeopenedjustalittle
wider,andmoreofthatsundrenchedtownoflushgardens,scents,andsexuality
seemedtocramitselfin.ThegreennessofthetropicsisalsoatoddswithKeller
whosefaceisrepeatedlydescribedasbeingparched,likeruinedleather,
terracotta,andfilledwithdeepfissures.SomethinginsideKellerhas
emotionallywitheredandthecontrastofthetropicalsettingofDarwin
providesaconstantreminderofthis.
Narrativestructure
ThenarrativeofMaestroisdrivenbyPaulsquestforhisidentity.Howcanhefit
inatschool?Whatishissexualidentity?Howmuchdoesitmeantohimtobe
successfulasamusician?Whatwilldefinethissuccess?Andhow,importantly,
doesKellerfitintothispicture?Lookingthroughasummaryofthechapters,we
seethatPaulsjourney,atcriticaltimes,becomesaselfishonewherehethinks
abouthisownidentityneedstotheexclusionofallelse.Inthisjourneyheis
paralleledwithKeller,whosebeliefinhisownidentitywasoncesogreatthathe
refusedtobelievethathiswifewouldbetakenbytheNazis,andthenhisidentity
crisissogreat,thathisemotionsshutdown.Intheend,Paulfindsacceptancein
hisidentity.Kellerdoesnt.
TickingMindMaestroStudyNotes 1
2 TickingMindMaestroStudyNotes
1968:DuringthisyearPaulmeetsRosie,andafterovercominghisinitial
contemptforher,beginsanintenserelationshipwithher.Physicallyheis
growing and changing. His relationship with Rosie makes him more
confidentwithhisownpeergroupandhejoinsarockbandwithJimmy,
Reggie and Scotty. They are successful in a battle of the bands
competition.
Adelaide: Seeing that he is making a trip to Adelaide to perform in a
battleofthebandscompetitionthere,KelleralsoentersPaulintoapiano
competition. He accompanies Paul to Adelaide. Ultimately, Paul fails in
bothcompetitions.ThischapterendsonthelastnightofPaulsschooling.
HevisitsKellertosaygoodbyetohim.Kellerisdrunkandwantstotalk
aboutthewarbutPaulwantstoleavetojointherevelingonthelastnight
of school Only now can I recognize the scene for what it was: a
confessional,aprivilegethatI,throughselfishnessandsensualaddiction,
failedtoaccept.
1974: The last three chapters of the book pass quickly. Firstly, in 1974
Paul attends the Conservatorium in Adelaide. He is arrogant from the
teachingofKeller.HehassomesuccessinPianocompetitionsandtravels
overseastocompetebutthereheisunsuccessful.
Vienna, 1975: After two years unsuccessfully competing overseas, Paul
finds himself near Vienna. Again, he is curious about Kellers personal
history and begins to ask questions about him. He finds out that Keller
followed his wife into the concentration camps, and, on a death march,
reportedlydied.
1977: In the final chapter Keller dies. In the years since leaving Darwin
Paulhasnotvisited.Now,withKellerdyinginhospital,hedoes.
Darwin, 1967: The first part of Maestro is an orientation to the main
characters of Keller, Paul, and his parents John and Nancy Crabbe. Paul
beginslessonswithKellerwhoheinitiallydislikes,frustratedthatKeller
wontaffirmhistalent.WelearnabouthowPaulisbulliedatschool,and
how he is rejected by his first crush Megan Murray. The first section
endswithPaulturning16andcompletinghismusicexamssuccessfully.
Intermezzo: In this brief section Paul and his family return to Adelaide
for the summer holidays. Two important things happen Paul finds out
thatKellerswifeMathildewasgassedbytheNazisduringtheholocaust;
he witnesses a couple having sex in the library. It is the second event
whichleavesalastingimpactonPaulandbeginstosetuponeofthekey
complicationsinthenovelexploringhisown,sometimesselfishdesires
vs.hisrelationshipwithKeller.
MajorCharacters
PaulCrabbe:
Thecrabisananimalthatmovessideways,andinthisnovel,asPaulssurname,
itsymbolizesaspectsofhischaracter.Heisatalentedpianoplayer,but,asKeller
pointsoutanumberoftimesspoiltandtoogiventoselfsatisfaction.Paul
isdrivenbytheideaofachievingperfectionasapianistIredoubledmy
effortstodefythetheoryoflimitsandapproachevermorecloselyandfinally
grasptheidealIwassurehefeltmeincapableofreaching.Butintryingso
hardtomoveforward,Paulseemstoonlyendup,likethecrab,movingsideways.
Tosearchtoolongforperfectioncanalsoparalyse,Kellersays.CertainlyPaul
neverfindsperfectionasapianistwhichhemeasuresbyinternationalsuccess
andtheaffirmationofhisteacher.Hebecomesdisillusionedabouthisquestfor
perfectionHonourablementionbecamethestoryofmylife,nomatterhow
muchIpracticed.IhadfoundmylevelandnowIwasfacedwithmyselfforthe
firsttime:PaulCrabbe,greying,dissatisfied,fastapproachingmidlife,my
backsidestuckfasttoaminorchairinaminormusicschool.However,as
dissatisfiedasheis,KellersdeathmarksapointinPaulsjourneywherehe
reachesacceptanceWhileKellerhadlivednomatterhowmanyyearssince
ourlastconsultationhehadbeenasafetynet,offeringafaintlasthope;there
hasalwaysbeenthepossibilityofreturningtohisroomattheSwan,and
preparingmyselfforalastassaultontheworldofmusic.WithKellersdeath,he
knowsthatthatlastassaultontheworldofmusicisadelusionand
foolishridiculousdreams.
Paulsjourneyasapianoplayerisonlyhalfofthestory,though.Theotherhalfis
astoryaboutmalerolemodelsandfatherhood.ThatPaulcomestoseeKelleras
afatherisclearYouaremyteacherYouvebeenlikeafather.Taughtme
everythingIknow.PaulcomestoidentifytheemotionalturmoilinKeller:His
contemptwasfuelledbyfeelingsfarmorecomplicatedandcontradictorythanI
hadthought.Inaway,PaulsfeelingsaboutKellerarentatallcomplicatedhe
wantstofeelthatheismakinghisteacherhisfatherproud,andithurtshim
deeplythatKellerdoesntcommunicatethiswithhimOnevoicewasalways
missingfromthechorusofpraise:myteachers.Paralleltothis,isPauls
relationshipwithhisactualfather.ThewholereasonforPaulhavinglessons
withKellerinthefirstplace,wasbecauseJohnCrabbewantedhissontobe
betterthanme.Muchbetter.
JohnCrabbe:
Ofhisparents,Paulspendsmoretimereflectingonhisfatherthanhedoesonhis
mother.Fathers,sonsandmalerolemodelsareimportantinthisbook.Keller
haslosthissonEricintheholocaust,andwecanseehowPauloperatesasa
substituteforhimattimes.ButKellerisnttheonlyonetohavesuffered.A
steadybackstoryisbuiltuparoundJohnCrabbethroughoutthenovel.Weknow
thathewantshissontoachievebecauseofwhathewasntabletodo.AsNancy
saystoPaul,YourfatherneverhadyouropportunitiesHealwaysregretted
TickingMindMaestroStudyNotes 3
4 TickingMindMaestroStudyNotes
itwelostsomuchinthewar.Wefindoutmore:Myfathersfatherhaddied
whenhewasyoung.Hehadnorolemodel.Paulfindshimselflockedwithinthe
confinesofalifethatIhated,attheendofanovel.Hisfather,too,seemstohave
endedupwithalifethatisntquitehim.Butwatchinghimactinmusicals,Paul
sees,somepartofhimthathadlongbeenrepressed:somefrivolous,joyous
corethathardship,childhoodtragedyandtheWarhadburiedinsidehimtoo
long.
NancyCrabbe:
WedontfindoutnearlyasmuchaboutNancyaswedoaboutJohn.Weknow
thatsheisaformerlibrarian,thatshestayshometolookafterPaul,andthat
whatconnectsherandherhusbandistheircommonpassionforthepianoin
everythingelse,Paulonlyseespolarities.Hard,andsoft.Fair,anddark.Thin,
andthick.
EduardKeller:
PaulspendsmuchtimephysicallydescribingKeller.Hisfaceisred,pitted,
coarsened,cheapleather,filledwithdeepfissuresandcracks,
corrugated,thetextureofcrudelyfiredpottery.Hishand,too,islikeaclaw
orapaw.Thedeepfissuresontheoutside,reflectthedisintegrationand
decayoftheinside.KellerknowshehadtheopportunitytofleefromViennawith
hiswifeandyoungchild,buthewastooinsensitiveHehadplayedfor
Hitlersowhowouldharmhiswifeandchild?Now,inDarwin,Contemptand
selfhatredfuelledthesinginginthevoiceThisselfhatredspringsnotonly
fromhisgriefandguilt.Hecutoffhisownfinger,butsaystoPaulIcould
notfinishthejob.Hisdrunkennessisaboutforgetting.Emotionallyhehasshut
down,soheshutshimselfoffromtheworldwhenallothershavetheir
windowswideopen,hehashisshutTheSwanwasamonastery,ofakind:a
placeofretreat,ofrenunciationoftheworld.Aplaceforatonementaplacefor
examinationoftheheart.However,hehasntcompletelyretreatedfromthe
world.Hecompilesgreatscrapbooksofnewsstoriesthatchronicleableak
humanlandscapelocatedsomewherebetweenTragedyandDumbStupidity.He
callsthesescapbookstextbooksHereadthosenewspapersascloselyas
Bibletexts,asthoughsomesortofanswer,orfinalexplanation,orevencure
couldbediscernedthere,givenenoughtime.Theholocaustwasthebleakestof
allhumanlandscapes,atragedythatdefiesexplanation.ButthatiswhatKeller
seekstofind.
MinorCharacters
TheminorcharactersserveanimportantpurposeinillustratingPaulsviewsand
valuesthroughtheattitudehehastothem.Theminormalecharactersare
definedbyoneortwocoreattributesusuallynegativewhichatvarioustimes
Pauldemonstratesthroughhisownbehaviour.
RosieZollo:
LikeNancyCrabbe,RosiescharacterisntdescribedingreatdetailinMaestro.
However,Paulsrelationshipwithherhissexualawakeningisimportant
Eachdaymyeyesseemedtobeopenedjustalittlewider,andmoreofthatsun
drenchedtownoflushgardens,scents,andsexualityseemedtocramitselfin.
NothingIheardinthatdark,humidroomintheSwanhadmuchplaceinmynew
world.HecomestoloveRosie,findinginhisintimacywithherthevery
oppositeofwhathehaswithKeller:IfeltaffectionforhimcertainlyIloved
him,inmanywaysbutIlovedRosiemore.
ReggieLim:
Reggielookedfiercerthanhewasafollower,notaleader.Reggieisthe
thirdmemberoftherockbanddarkskinned,hisflatfacepockedwiththe
cratersoflargelyextinctacne.Hischaracteristhevictimintheendtotheegos
andambitionoftheothertwomembersofthebandJimmyandScottywho
replacehimwithRickWhiteleyTherewasntroominthevan,Paul.Wetooka
vote.Reggiewentalongwithit.WeneedRickhehascontactsintheSouth.
Reggiescharactershowsushowsomepeoplecanbeexpendableintheroadto
successaparalleltohowPaultreatsothersaroundhimattimes.
JimmyPappas:
Short,squatJimmyPappaswasthebullyboyofDarwinandtherighthandman
ofthemorepopular,jocklikeScottyMitchell.Heisathug.
ScottyMitchell:
Mitchellwastaller,curlyhairedandgoodlookingScottybelievedinJust
Causesifhebeatupsomeonehalfhissizeitwastoteachhisvictimalesson.
Mitchellistheringleader.Hedoesntbelieveheisabully,butthatisinfactjust
whatheis.
RickWhiteley:
RickWhiteleyisthelocalrockradioannouncerfromtheSouthwhohasspurned
theusualCountrymusicofthestationinfavourofrock.Hischaracterbears
somesimilaritiestothatofKellers:hehascontemptforthetraditionalmusical
opinionsofpeople;thereareVariousrumoursthatsuggesthehadfledNorth
forvariousunspeakablereasons;hehasJimmyandScottyaroundtohishouse
onenighttoGetdrunkthenhegotweepy.UnlikeKeller,Whiteleywantstobe
successfulandjoinsthebandasareplacementforReggie.LikeKeller,though,his
outsiderevealssomethingabouttheinside:hisfacehasagedtwentyyears:an
accumulationofmorningafterfaces,perhaps,eachapplieddirectlytotheruins
ofthepreviousmorning
TickingMindMaestroStudyNotes 5
6 TickingMindMaestroStudyNotes
BennieReid:
InmemoryBenniealwaysremainsmiddleagedpaunchy,puffyfaced,
baldingAnerdyoutcast,BennieReidwasthetypeofteenagerthatPauls
parentsfeltheshouldbefriendswith.However,althoughPaulwashappy
enoughinBenniescompanyinprivate,heshunnedanypublicassociationwith
BennieReid.PaulviewsBennieaspathetictheoppositeofwhathewantsto
be.
MeganMurray:
Meganisthepopular,attractivegirlatschool.SheisthegirlPaulfirstfinds
himselfsexuallyattractedto.SheinitiallyrejectsPaulsinvitationforadate,
whichleaveshimdeeplyashamedofhimself.Afterheturns16ayearolder
andayeartallerandjoinstheband,MeganbecomesmoreinterestedinPaul
andsleepswithhim.ButfarfrombeingthegirlofhisdreamsItwasa
disappointmentShewastooselfishAssoonasItouchedher,shebecame
floppy,inert
Themes
Passion,lust&sex:
Thecharacterswhoseemtomostenjoymusicinthenovel,arethosewhofind
passioninitfromPaulsfatherwhofindsafrivolous,joyouscorewhenacting
inmusicals,toPaulhimselflisteningtoKellerplayandbeingtransportedagain
tothatsamesensual,achingzone.Themusicseemednearertolovemakingthan
musicThepassioninmusicisdeeplyconnectedheretosex.Paulseesall
aroundhiminthelushtropicalgreennessofDarwin,anearthysexualityand
thepassionofsexisaconstantlyrecurringthemethroughoutthenovel.
Perfection:
PaulsquestforsuccessasapianistseeshimreachingfortheidealIwassure
[Keller]feltmeincapableofreaching.Hepracticesforendlesshoursandfinds
technicalperfection.Butthisisnotmusicalperfection.Kellerrelatesastory
aboutaforgeryofafamouspainting:Theforgerymusthavetakenmanytimes
longerthantheoriginalItwastechnicallybetterAndyetsomethingwas
missing.Notmuchbutsomething.Itsthissomethingthatstandsbetween
himandperfectionthatgnawsawayatPaulbutitisasomethingthathecan
nevergain.
Identity:
Manycharactersinthenovelstrugglewithquestionsofidentitywhotheywant
tobe,versuswhattheyareandwhattheyhavedone.Thisisclearlythecasefor
PaulandKeller.Kellerstruggleswithhisgreatguiltandgriefthatseemsto
engulfhisentireidentity.Paulsidentitytooisengulfedhisbythequestfor
perfectionandtheconstantfailuretoachieveit.Othercharacters,too,struggle
withtheiridentityPaulsfather,RickWhiteley,BennieReidevenJimmy
PappasandScottyMitchell.Atdifferenttimeswecanseehowthequestfor
identitycanengulfeachofthesecharacters,makingthemactinwayswhichmay
beentirelyselfishsuchisthestrugglewithidentity.
Quotes
theredglowofhisfacethepitted,suncoarsenedskinacheap,ruined
leather.P.3
No:ifIweremorethemusician,ifIhadabetterear,Icouldsurelycaptureitp.
3
Iwaschildenoughselfcentredenoughtothinkitlikely.P.5
Thathairabovethatflamingfacewaswhite,sparse,downyp.5
HetoldmethissoofteninthefollowingyearsthatIsoonrealizedthatloss
meantfarmoretohimthanthat.P.5
Youaregoingtobebetterthanme.Muchbetter.P.8
AllthescuminthecountryhassomehowrisentothisonetownAllthedrifters,
themisfitsp.8
Butthemusic,asalways,drewmethatbeautiful,tugginggravityp.9
Ilovedthetownofboozeandblowatfirstsight.Andaboveallitssmell:those
hot,steamyperfumesthatwrappedaboutmeaswesteppedofftheplaneMoist,
compostair.Sweetandsourairp.9
EverythinggrewlargerthanlifeinthesteamyhothouseofDarwin,andthe
peoplewerenoexception.P.11.
YouarespoiltFirstyoumustlearntolisten.P.12
IfindithardtounderstandhowmuchIcametolovetheman,todependonhim.
P.13
Youknowsomuchforyourageandsolittle.P.14
YourfatherneverhadyouropportunitiesHealwaysregretteditwelostso
muchinthewar.P.14
Apartfromthepianotheyhadlittleincommon.WhenIthinkofmyparents,Isee
onlypolarities.P.15
TickingMindMaestroStudyNotes 7
8 TickingMindMaestroStudyNotes
SomethingboundthemtogetherThesweet,stickyglueofsexperhapsp.16
Allofwhichleftmetheircrossbreed,theirmulattowhere?P.16
Theysoughtforgetfulness,notremembranceAtownpopulatedbymenwho
hadrunasfarastheycouldflee.P.17
Youaretooproudtoplayitagain?P.27
Iperformedbaskinginanolder,moreadultacceptancethatshouldhavemore
thancompensatedformyownagegroupsrejection.P.29
Perhapstherecanbenoperfection.Onlylevelsofimperfection.P.31
Youmustknowwhentomoveon.Tosearchtoolongforperfectioncanalso
paralyse.P.31
Iredoubledmyeffortstodefythetheoryoflimitsandapproachevermore
closelyandfinallygrasptheidealIwassurehefeltmeincapableofreaching.
P.32
inafuryofrejectionIhadhammeredawaypunishingmyselfforbeingmyself.
P.33.
Onevoicewasalwaysmissingfromthechorusofpraise:myteachers.p.35
Medicinewashisjob,musichislife.P.39
Myfathersfatherhaddiedwhenhewasyoung.Hehadnorolemodel.P.41
IsuspectedIwasglimpsingsomepartofhimthathadlongbeenrepressed:some
frivolous,joyouscorethathardship,childhoodtragedyandtheWarhadburied
insidehimtoolong.P.42
Theboyistoogiventoselfsatisfaction.P.43
Nothing,dearlady,couldmakemehomesick.P.45
TheforgerymusthavetakenmanytimeslongerthantheoriginalItwas
technicallybetterAndyetsomethingwasmissing.Notmuchbutsomething.P.
46
TheSwanwasamonastery,ofakind:aplaceofretreat,ofrenunciationofthe
world.Aplaceforatonementaplaceforexaminationoftheheart.P.49
Itisinsincere.Somuchshowingoff.P.49
IsupposeIdislikedherfortheusualreason:shewastoomuchlikeme.P.63.
theaccompanyingphotographslookedmuchthesamewhateverthelanguage,
ableakhumanlandscapelocatedsomewherebetweenTragedyandDumb
Stupidity.P.65
Medicineincreasinglyboredhim.Hefeltburntout,neededtorechargethe
emotionalreservoirs.Eacheveninghesatoverhiseveningmealimaginingsome
hilltopdreamplantationp.67
Thesunbeatdownonhimfiercely,magnifyingallblemishes:theterracotta
rednessofhisface,thedeepfissuresandcracksthatgavehisskinthetextureof
crudelyfiredpottery.P.69
Itisyouwhoisignorant.P.71
Tearswerefillingthedeepfissuresofthatparchedlandscape,KellersfaceAs
suddenlyasthetearshadappeared,thetearshadgone,suckedintothedryskin
ofhisravagedface.P.72
Contemptandselfhatredfuelledthesinginginthevoicep.73
Theroomwasindarkness,theslatsandthewoodenlouvrestightlyshut,the
lightsoff.P.74
Eachdaymyeyesseemedtobeopenedjustalittlewider,andmoreofthatsun
drenchedtownoflushgardens,scents,andsexualityseemedtocramitselfin.
NothingIheardinthatdark,humidroomintheSwanhadmuchplaceinmynew
worldp.75
Iwastooinsensitive.P.86
VariousrumoursheldthathehadfledNorthforvariousunspeakablereasonsp.
87
Ifeltstrangelyempty,deflated.Nothingworthwhilewaseverachievedsoeasily,
asmallvoiceperhapsmyfathers,perhapsKellersnaggeddeeplyinside.P.
91
Hisexilewaschosenp.100
Hisred,corrugatedfacep.101
Funwasnotawordthatemergedeasilyfromthatwrinkledprunemouth.P.102
HereadthosenewspapersascloselyasBibletexts,asthoughsomesortof
answer,orfinalexplanation,orevencurecouldbediscernedthere,givenenough
time.P.103
Hisfacehadagedtwentyyearsp.104
TickingMindMaestroStudyNotes 9
1
TickingMindMaestroStudyNotes
0
TheancientbrickfacedViennesevirtuosop.109
Iwantedtobeoutinthewarmrain,pushingthroughthewetvegetation,
physicallypartofitIclosedmyeyesandlistenedtothesoundsofthenight,to
thewetearthsmearingitselfwithgreennessp.114
YouaremyteacherYouvebeenlikeafather.TaughtmeeverythingIknow.P.
115
IfeltaffectionforhimcertainlyIlovedhim,inmanywaysbutIlovedRosie
more.P.117
OnlynowcanIrecognizethesceneforwhatitwas:aconfessional,aprivilege
thatI,throughselfishnessandsensualaddiction,failedtoaccept.P.117
Everythinghehadtaughtmeeveryopinion,everyphrasing,everynotehard
hardenedintodogma.P.123
Ilovedherwhich,atatimewhenmostofmylovewaswastedonmyself,was
nosmallachievement.P.125
Honourablementionbecamethestoryofmylife,nomatterhowmuchI
practiced.Ihadfoundmylevelp.128
Nowforthefirsttimemyselfpreoccupationshaddiminishedenough.P.131.
HehadplayedforHitlersowhowouldharmhiswifeandchild?P.135
ButIamsorry:youdidnotlearnfromEduardKeller.Hisstudentsplayed
withwithfarmorep.139
Perhapstheywerenotthesamemaninasense.P.140
Where,whentiredofwandering,
MylastrestingplacewillIfind?
UnderpalmtreesintheSouth?
UnderlimetreesontheRhine?P.145
SoonIwouldbeflyingbacktotheSouth:tothewomanandchildthatIloved,
withintheconfinesofalifethatIhated.P.149
10
