Peter (short story)
Encyclopedia
Peter is a short story by Willa Cather
. It was first published in The Mahogany Tree
in 1892.
, and, despite losing his ability to play, continues to treasure his violin
. His eldest son, Antone, tries to convince Peter to sell the violin. The story then describes his glamorous life back in Bohemia
as he reminisces. After comparing his past and current lives, he attempts to play "Ave Maria", or Ellens dritter Gesang
, on his violin. He cannot finish the song because of his shaking arm. Peter takes his violin to the stable and takes down Antone's gun. He breaks the violin and then shoots himself.
Antone finds his father frozen in the stable the next morning. He notices that his father forgot to break the bow, and he plans to sell it in town. Because Peter committed suicide outside in the cold, his body was unable to be straightened for a coffin; he is buried in a pine box instead.
It has been argued that Peter reappeared in My Antonia
, with Mr Shimerda's suicide.
Willa Cather
Willa Seibert Cather was an American author who achieved recognition for her novels of frontier life on the Great Plains, in works such as O Pioneers!, My Ántonia, and The Song of the Lark. In 1923 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for One of Ours , a novel set during World War I...
. It was first published in The Mahogany Tree
The Mahogany Tree
The Mahogany Tree was a weekly literary magazine published from January until December 1892.-Overview:It was started by Mildred Aldrich, and it was supposedly 'devoted solely to the "fine arts"'...
in 1892.
Plot summary
Peter Sadelack played second chair violin in PraguePrague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, and, despite losing his ability to play, continues to treasure his violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
. His eldest son, Antone, tries to convince Peter to sell the violin. The story then describes his glamorous life back in Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
as he reminisces. After comparing his past and current lives, he attempts to play "Ave Maria", or Ellens dritter Gesang
Ellens dritter Gesang
Ellens dritter Gesang , in English: "Ellen's Third Song", was composed by Franz Schubert in 1825 as part of his Opus 52, a setting of seven songs from Walter Scott's popular epic poem The Lady of the Lake, loosely translated into German.It has become one of Schubert's most popular works under the...
, on his violin. He cannot finish the song because of his shaking arm. Peter takes his violin to the stable and takes down Antone's gun. He breaks the violin and then shoots himself.
Antone finds his father frozen in the stable the next morning. He notices that his father forgot to break the bow, and he plans to sell it in town. Because Peter committed suicide outside in the cold, his body was unable to be straightened for a coffin; he is buried in a pine box instead.
Characters
- Peter Sadelack, the main character of the short story. He was a second chair violinist in an orchestra in PraguePraguePrague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
. Despite tradition, he is not the master of his household. He likes to drink whiskey and reminisce about the past. - Antone, Peter's son. He is the master of the household, and he is very careful with his money and requires each family member to help run the household and farm.
- Herr Mikilsdoff, an orchestra conductor in PraguePraguePrague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
in Peter's youth. - French woman, a singer from Peter's days in BohemiaBohemiaBohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
. She was very beautiful and had a wonderful voice. Peter enjoyed watching her sing, even though he couldn't understand the words. He mentions her just before he kills himself.
Allusions to actual history
- In his youth, Peter knew Marie d'AgoultMarie d'AgoultMarie Catherine Sophie de Flavigny, Vicomtesse de Flavigny , was a French author, known also by her married name and title, Marie, Comtesse d'Agoult, and by her pen name, Daniel Stern....
, Franz LisztFranz LisztFranz Liszt ; ), was a 19th-century Hungarian composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher.Liszt became renowned in Europe during the nineteenth century for his virtuosic skill as a pianist. He was said by his contemporaries to have been the most technically advanced pianist of his age...
, Sarah BernhardtSarah BernhardtSarah Bernhardt was a French stage and early film actress, and has been referred to as "the most famous actress the world has ever known". Bernhardt made her fame on the stages of France in the 1870s, and was soon in demand in Europe and the Americas...
and RachelRachel (actress)Elisabeth "Eliza, or Élisa" Rachel Félix , better known only as Mademoiselle Rachel , was a French actress....
.
Allusions to other works
- Peter remembers seeing Sarah Bernhardt act in Victorien SardouVictorien SardouVictorien Sardou was a French dramatist. He is best remembered today for his development, along with Eugène Scribe, of the well-made play...
's La ToscaLa ToscaLa Tosca is a five-act drama by the 19th-century French playwright Victorien Sardou. It was first performed on 24 November 1887 at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin in Paris, with Sarah Bernhardt in the title role...
. He also mentions Franz LisztFranz LisztFranz Liszt ; ), was a 19th-century Hungarian composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher.Liszt became renowned in Europe during the nineteenth century for his virtuosic skill as a pianist. He was said by his contemporaries to have been the most technically advanced pianist of his age...
, Frédéric ChopinFrédéric ChopinFrédéric François Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist. He is considered one of the great masters of Romantic music and has been called "the poet of the piano"....
and Ave Maria.
Criticism and significance
Peter was retouched and submitted for publication by her English professor, Herbert Bates, without her knowledge.It has been argued that Peter reappeared in My Antonia
My Ántonia
My Ántonia |accent]] on the first syllable of "Ántonia"), first published 1918, is considered one of the greatest novels by American writer Willa Cather...
, with Mr Shimerda's suicide.