The Pianola, the Pathetique, and the Honky-Tonk

Deeper research into the pianola and the music that Durham chose to play on the pianola in Maurice reveals some interesting facts that deepens my appreciation for Forster.

The Pathetique by Tchaikovsky was chosen not by chance, but by careful and cunning design. Tchaikovsky was homosexual. Given the homophobic era that Forster writes, it is one more subtle clue that foreshadows the relationship that is to come between Maurice and Clive. This "easter egg", if you will, rewards the reader who has a broad knowledge of the arts, music specifically. The word Pathetique relates to "Pathique" or "pathic": a "passive homosexual" and is defined "as a man or a boy upon whom sodomy is practised." 1 Talk about depth!

The pianola, a player piano that required the operator to control the tempo changes, played rolls hand-cut from sheet music. Many companies jumped on the player piano bandwagon in the early 20th century, including a man named Tonk and his self-named company and machine. No coincidence that there is a character in the novel Maurice with the name of . . .yes, you guessed it: Tonk. We get the term honky-tonk form this machine's name.

Forster was brilliant. Maurice is a treasure hunt for hidden meanings and messages. The reward is a literary bounty for the student of this art.




1<"No trace of presence": Tchaikovsky and the sixth in Forster's novel Maurice. By Bret L. Keeling. < http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001513608&er=deny >