An Equal Music By Vikram Seth Analysis

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Music, the language of Love in Vikram Seth’s An Equal Music
J. GiftlinIyadurai
Assistant Professor of English
Nesamony Memorial Christian College
Mathandam
Email: giftliniyadurai@gmail.com

Abstract:Music is thestrongest element in Vikram Seth’s An Equal Music. It acts like a glue holding the story and characters together, and Seth offers the readers a peek in to the works of Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and Hayden, offering a unique glimpse into the world of chamber music. The interpersonal dynamics of the Quartet that influence their performance their approach and method of rehearsing. Throughout the novel we find the novelist sharing an intimacy with music and identifying himself with the characters. Music and Love co – exist in the novel. The protagonist’s dilemma in choosing one over the other is portrayed. Loneliness as the only companion the the life of a music composer has …show more content…

Seth’s novel examines the impact of western classical music on the lives and hopes and fears and final, desperate choices of its European protagonists. Music has been presented in this novel as a noble addiction. Seth highlights the problem of being a professional musician. The problems highlighted in the book are those that are faced in real life- the cost of instruments, the irregular income, the creative tensions of playing in a group and the diminishing likelihood that anyone from a poorer background will ever be able to train as a musician with all the expenses involved. The love, love regained and love lost in the novel also affects the emotion of the individual. Michael was desperately in love with Julia, but unfortunately he had to leave her and loneliness become his only companion. This is evident in the words of Michael, “Life settles into bearable aloneness”

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