Quite a few musicians came to our house. And my ma took me to hear many more, hoping to encourage in me a love of music. But she wouldn't consent to my having music lessons, for she feared I might end up as she had done - unable to play except from paper.

Summary

This quote highlights the conflicting desires of the narrator's mother. While she exposes the narrator to music and musicians, she denies them the opportunity to take music lessons. The mother's caution stems from their own inability to play without sheet music. This reveals a fear of the narrator potentially facing the same restriction. The quote implies that the mother's intentions, though well-meaning, might inadvertently hinder the narrator's musical development out of concern for them repeating her own limitations.

Topics