In Intermezzo, while Paul is in the library looking for clues in books that will tell him more about his piano teacher's (Keller) past, we are positioned to view Paul in a different way. This visit to the library affects my view of Paul, this is because his response to the lovers in the library demonstrates to me that he has grown and matured since the last section, in the way that he has gone from a boy, to a teenager. This is supported by the way Paul shows a strong curiousity about was is occurring in the next aisle in the library, where he becomes distracted by the lovers. This moment in the novel is an instance where his interest in learning about Keller is interrupted and conflicted with his budding sexuality. While Paul is successful in finding information about Keller's wife, he walks away from the library more excited about the couple he had just witnessed.
From the previous section of the novel we learn before and after Paul comes for his piano lessons, Keller is often engaged in his scrapbooks, symbolising its importance to Keller. Towards the end of this section, Keller's teaching methods also change, "His teaching methods also changed with the coming of the Wet: suddenly he seemed to find music of certain composers unbearable" (P.49) He later says to Paul, "'Beauty simplifies,... the best music is neither beautiful nor ugly. Like the world, it is infinitely complex. Full on nuance. Rich beyond any reduction. We must not make the mistake of confusing music with emotion.'"(P.50) The gift Paul later receives from Her Keller in Intermezzo is a "battered, yellow edition Czerny, the Opus 599 studies." (Pg. 54) Paul is disappointed with this gift as he already has it, however his father discovers the value in this gift. The value of this gift and the way in which it is received, is a demonstration of the obscure care in which Keller has for Paul.
From the previous section of the novel we learn before and after Paul comes for his piano lessons, Keller is often engaged in his scrapbooks, symbolising its importance to Keller. Towards the end of this section, Keller's teaching methods also change, "His teaching methods also changed with the coming of the Wet: suddenly he seemed to find music of certain composers unbearable" (P.49) He later says to Paul, "'Beauty simplifies,... the best music is neither beautiful nor ugly. Like the world, it is infinitely complex. Full on nuance. Rich beyond any reduction. We must not make the mistake of confusing music with emotion.'"(P.50) The gift Paul later receives from Her Keller in Intermezzo is a "battered, yellow edition Czerny, the Opus 599 studies." (Pg. 54) Paul is disappointed with this gift as he already has it, however his father discovers the value in this gift. The value of this gift and the way in which it is received, is a demonstration of the obscure care in which Keller has for Paul.
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