"Paul Crabbe changes from a selfish youth to a sensitive man" Discuss this statement with reference to the relationships that help to change Paul, especially his significant relationship with Keller.

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STAGE ONE PRE-PES ENGLISH

Maestro Essay

By Zeyanna Chaptini 11MA

“Paul Crabbe changes from a selfish youth to a sensitive man”

Discuss this statement with reference to the relationships that help to change Paul, especially his significant relationship with Keller.

The renowned text, Maestro, clearly explored the concept of egocentrism. Through the protagonist, the author, Peter Goldsworthy demonstrated that one who’s selfish would perpetually be selfish. Paul Crabbe, the central male character, was seen as an illiberal adolescent. He treated his Maestro with no respect and wasn’t engrossed by what he was telling him. His greed was also apparent in the way he treated his girlfriend and his parents. During the progression of the novel, Paul’s avarice continued as became more insensitive towards others and showed no deferent.

The selfish juvenile, Paul Crabbe, was imprudent towards his venerable piano teacher, Herr Eduard Keller. In their first meeting, Paul was starring at his hands, those dainty, faintly ridiculous hands. He was startled as most of the right finger was missing. Instead of ignoring his hands, Paul kept glancing at them, showing discourtesy, which made Keller feel awkward. Paul then went on and asked can you play Liszt without it? This showed that Paul was disrespectful towards Keller. Instead of ending his discourtesy, he decided to propel Keller further, making it seem that he was an expert when it came to music. As the novel and their relationship progressed, Paul became interested in Keller’s past life. He was caught stickybeaked looking at Keller’s photo’s, whilst Keller was out. This showed Paul’s bad manners as he entered into Keller’s apartment, without permission and was looking at his family photo’s. This made Paul feel half-excited by his discoveries, only thinking about himself and wasn’t aware that Keller felt disturbed by his rudeness.  

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Paul’s greediness towards Keller continued to flourish as the story progressed. During the novel, Paul was curious about Keller’s past history, before he came to Darwin. The night before Paul left for the South, after completing school to pursue his dream, the young adult was granted his wish, as Keller began to tell his hidden past. After a few drinks, Keller began to tell Paul about his deceased family, but Paul wasn’t interested, he believed Rosie might already be waiting, parked in the street, wearing nothing underneath. He continued to glance at his watch, paying no attention to Keller, ...

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