Peter Goldsworthy ephasises the centrality of success and relationships in the novel ‘Maestro’. ‘Maestro appears to depict the pessimistic view that success is never attainable and relationships can often be arrogantly destroyed with the repercussions of regret and disappointment. This is evident with respect to the two protagonists Paul Crabbe and Eduard Keller as their personal lives are ruled by striving for success yet this is followed by ignorance, remorse and regret, realizing it was essentially too late to repair what is eternally gone. Relationships are essential to understanding the development of characters.
Within Darwin 1960, Paul Crabbe progressed a musical journey at the Swan, embarking towards excellence with his “.. child enough-self-centered enough..” mentality. Paul found himself in a sense of pride that took time to overcome as his transition from adolescence to adulthood was taking place. Paul established the knowledge required for musical success understanding his “technical limitations” whilst being detached from the emotional element of his music. It could be said that when Paul rejected Keller- his aphorisms, his advice, his desire to possibly confess his life story to Paul, Paul also rejected the potentiality to reach the ‘musical perfection’ that he would spend much of his adult life striving towards. Paul’s emotional immaturity prevents him from developing a strong relationship with Keller while, he had the opportunity of attaining musical success.
Paul’s relationship with Eduard Keller is the crux to his understanding of success in the later years, even though incomplete. Paul redefines his vision of success as he develops and matures. At first Eduard Keller witnesses of his younger self within Paul as he tries to help Paul reach his full potential like a surrogate father, as he “..once had great plans for his own son, Eric,” he said and claiming “.. perhaps I have been too hard on you because of that. A fathers hardness.”. All...