The Power of Music

The power of music is an important theme in this novel as it is the main reason why the fates of Edgar and Carroll become entwined. Carroll's self-imposed mission in Burma seems to be to promote peace through music. At first, this is spoken of in terms of music's civilizing influence. Some of the British officers believe Carroll's aim is to bring European culture and civilization to the Burmese and so educate them and raise them up from being 'savages.' This will make them like and respect the British more. At first, Edgar perhaps feels a similar way. He loves music, in particular piano music, and has attached such a strong sense of importance to it that nothing else matters. He thinks in terms of music, and forms his opinions around it. For instance, he does not agree with the popular Victorian image of...