FREE ESSAY ON GOOD AND EVIL IN THE NOVEL MAESTRO

GOOD AND EVIL IN THE NOVEL MAESTRO

Good and Evil
The novel of Maestro reflect many aspects of mankind which are both good and evil. The
effects of evil can be seen in the character of Keller; after he has seen what cruelty
human beings are capable of he becomes very pessimistic about humanity. He had
underestimated the extent of evil and even the music he loves becomes a weapon of evil,
which was used against him and so it subsequently becomes his enemy. As we grow up the
world around us contains both good and evil, therefore as we follow Paul's youth we can
also see through him both good and evil revealed in the society around him.
The Holocaust was a turning point in Keller's life. He used to be like Paul, insensitive,
arrogant and felt invulnerable. He had felt optimistic about the safety of his family. He
tells Paul that in one's own familiar home "it is more difficult to see evil." (p. 50).
He blames himself for the death of his family because he realizes that he was blinded by
his own arrogance, this experience makes him teach Paul "human limitations" and to be
rational. He always dies down Paul's confidence. Keller also constantly reminds himself
of the stupidity, greed and failure of the human race by keeping a scrapbook of newspaper
cuttings. He now keeps all his feelings suppressed because he now sees his former
feelings of invulnerability and optimism as unwise or even criminal. He believes these
large amounts of emotions and feelings of invulnerability and arrogance can be used as a
tool for evil to play upon.
In this novel it shows that beauty is capable of covering the evil or worthlessness that
lies beneath. The maestro distrusts the beautiful city of Vienna because of its violent
history and the bitterness it reminds him of. He disassociates himself from Austria, his
birth place, and strongly shows that he doesn't want to go there again. "Nothing, dear
lady, could make me homesick." (p.45). When Paul's mother talks about the beauty of
Vienna and its architecture, Keller continuously referred to how they were used
militarily "Of course. An excellent city for military pomp and processions." (p.45), and
endlessly associated all beauties with the more evil darker side' "movie-set
architecture…ornamental facades. Hiding the hypocrisy within…" Keller can
clearly see the evil and ugliness beneath all the beauty and he is very bitter about it.
Keller knows what is important is what is underneath those beautiful facades; the
historical reality, not the architectural illusion and he attempts to teach Paul this.
Music is beautiful, but it was used as a tool by evil. For that reason, Keller felt very
betrayed by his much-loved music. Hitler had used music as a part of propaganda to sway
people into believing the party's policies. Keller is especially reactive to Wagner
because that composer's songs were what were used the most for propaganda. It is sad to
know that such a great composer like Wagner was also very anti-Semitic. This just shows
that beautiful things can be used for good and for bad.
Power and leadership can also be used to obtain good or bad results. Having power gives a
person a chance to do some good things for society. However, like Hitler when he had too
much power he misused it and this resulted in the deaths of sixty million people. There
needs to be a balance power and its limitations.
The novel of Maestro reflects the society around us and man's capacity for good and evil.
Beautiful things can be used as a tool by the evil and attractive external appearance can
hide what ugliness is really underneath. There needs to be a balance between good and
evil, or everyone will be effected.