Maynard Solomon's Deconstruction of Mozart's Myth: Psychological Maturity and Paternal Exploitation
Overview
This paper summarizes Maynard Solomon's 1991 biographical work on Mozart, which challenges the persistent myth of Mozart as an eternal child. The essay argues that despite familial constraints and Leopold Mozart's controlling exploitation, Wolfgang achieved significant psychological and artistic maturity, demonstrating how paternal abuse can be masked by economic justification and parental authority.
What this essay covers
- Introduction and summary of Solomon's thesis regarding the 'Myth of The Eternal Child'
- Analysis of Leopold Mozart's character: jealousy, control, and economic exploitation of his son
- Mozart's development of psychological and artistic maturity despite paternal and societal constraints
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Maynard Solomon’s Article Summary
Solomon (1991) presents a biography of picture of a striving and extremely creative and talented human. The author makes efforts to dismember “The Myth of The Eternal Child” which is a view inspired by perpetual adolescent. The myth originates from the efforts of Mozart’s father to keep his talented sone subservient. The readers can identify that Mozart has achieved dramatical psychological and artistic maturity by the time he dies. This is regardless of the personal challenges and pervasive familial and societal restraints he faced during his lifetime. Leopold is presented as a jealous and bitter man who is unable to compose his work and eagerly tries to make his son dependent upon him by every means.
Leopold considered his son as his private economic reserve and future cover against the problems of old age. Mozart is accorded the duty to take care and sustain his household and to back his father’s income and pay off his debts. Leopold is worried that if Mozart continued pursuing his empty hopes, he will make his family beggars. Leopold’s jealousy has provoked him to think that his son has brought him poverty. Leopold Mozart is an individual determined to dominate and dictate things as he pleases as he makes Mozart, his son, to become his servant. The experiences and encounters Mozart faces show that people can have talent, but it will only flourish depending on the support they receive.