Response paper: The Piano Teacher (part 2)
In the second half of her novel, Jelinek switches the focus of the story from Erika Kohut’s daily life and childhood to her new relationship with Klemmer. Having established ErikaÂ’s repressed and disturbed character to the readers, the author now explores the results and consequences when Erika finally finds an outlet for her sexual desires and fantasies in the form of student Walter Klemmer.Â
After a recital, Klemmer follows Erika to an isolated bathroom where we see the first sexual encounter between the two characters. Klemmer forces himself onto Erika and seduces her, believing that he has the upper hand and that the inexperienced piano teacher would yield to his wishes. However, Erika refuses to have sex with Klemmer and gives him a hand job instead. She even refuses to finish him off and leaves him hanging, telling Klemmer that he will not get any more out of her unless he submits to all her demands. This portrays Erika as cruel, inconsiderate and controlling.
A few days later, Erika gives Klemmer a letter detailing her every demand. He opens the letter in Erika’s room and she reveals to him that she would like to be bound up and tortured (both physically and verbally) by Klemmer for hours if not days before they engage in any “normal” acts of love. Erika’s room would be locked and there would be nothing Mother can do about it. This is Erika’s way of getting back at her mother, by disobeying and ignoring her. Klemmer is disgusted by her sadomasochistic requests and storms out. He sees this as a rejection of his love.
For the next few weeks, Klemmer avoids Erika and stops taking piano lessons with her. However, Erika manages to track down Klemmer and apologizes about the letter and for coming on too strong. She gets down on her knees to beg forgiveness, and Klemmer eventually has her giving him a blowjob. Unfortunately for Klemmer, he is unable to perform and blames Erika for his impotence. He gets very frustrated and insults her about her stench and her age. Both leave the scene angry and hurt. Back home, Erika tries to relieve her mental anguish by hurting her own body: by clamping her skin and inserting needles into it. Klemmer on the other hand, tries to vent out his anger by hurting others: by going to the park and looking to kill a flamingo or a swan, and instead finding a teenage couple and almost assaulting them.
In the climactic scene of the novel, Klemmer comes over to ErikaÂ’s apartment once again. He starts beating her while insulting her and saying that sheÂ’s finally getting what she wants. This action could be caused by the fact that Klemmer is still frustrated with his earlier impotence and blames it on ErikaÂ’s ridiculous requests. He wants to give Erika a taste of what she demands. Klemmer rapes Erika and then leaves while telling her that everything will work out well in the end. This scene shows a role reversal from their first sexual encounter. Here it is Klemmer who appears to be cruel and controlling.
The relationship between Erika and Klemmer is like a game of cat and mouse. It is a dangerous and disturbing relationship. The role of aggressor and victim changes with almost every scene. Furthermore, in a given scene each character often experiences conflicting emotions, torn between lust and disgust/restraint. This conflict of emotions might represent the rigid disciplined lives demanded by modern European bourgeois society, and the innate lust and sexuality in every human being yearning to break out.Â
In the second half of the novel, we watch the characters develop. We see Klemmer as an artist, an athlete and a ladiesÂ’ man. He likes to try many new things but does not devote himself to them, much like his attitude towards women. Near the end of the novel, we see his dark and violent side. The full extent of ErikaÂ’s sadomasochistic desires is revealed. Unfortunately, she gets more than she bargained for from Klemmer. Mother remains the same. She continues to enjoy controlling Erika and gets into a physical fight with her in one scene. When Erika is being raped, it seems that the mother is more concerned about not having someone to control and dominate than about her daughterÂ’s safety and well-being. This is typical of the Mother we have grown to know throughout the novel. However, in the wake of the terrible incident at the apartment, Mother starts to loosen her grip on Erika a little, and even encourages her to go out and learn about different people.
Questions to consider
Reconsider why Erika and Klemmer are attracted to each other. Do we see different reasons now that weÂ’ve read the entire novel?
What relevance does age have in the novel? What about superficial and youthful beauty?
Erika inflicts physical pain on herself where Klemmer would rather hurt others. Which is more destructive or immoral?
Is Klemmer solely to blame for raping Erika? Did Erika bring it upon herself?
Erika’s unusual and disturbing behaviors could be said to be a result of her repressive upbringing. On the other hand, Klemmer has had a ‘normal’ childhood, and is currently a successful athlete, artist and engineer. What leads him down the path of violence?
I feel that the ending is inconclusive. Why did Erika go to the Engineering school? Why didnÂ’t she kill herself or Klemmer? Why did she end up inflicting a non-lethal wound on herself in broad daylight?