The object I’ve selected for this relationship is the clarinet, the instrument Gertrude Lang was playing. As beautiful as it may look, what matters the most is the melody that comes out of it, if you don’t know how to play it then it loses its value. The same way, she decided to abandon playing it when she was aware of how bad she sounded while playing the instrument.
It takes time and might even take years to be able to play an instrument like a real musician and I believe Gertrude’s clarinet is the object that has the same characteristics as her relationship with Mr. Holland because while practicing extra hours outside of school hours, he taught her that it is important to never give up and always give the best you can no matter how hard things could get. Those hard times of practicing are what made her stronger and I believe the clarinet made her who she is today because she does not only look more confident now but also became the governor.
They barely had a relationship at first because he was going through stuff, hated teaching and sometimes his students and Gertrude on the other side, the perception she had of her family members being all successful when she could barely play an instrument. In other words, she was feeling like the failure of the family until that moment where she was ready to give up and Mr. Holland encouraged her. I believe she is the one who talked for him for his Goodbye ceremony because he has made such a huge impact in her life through her clarinet.