The Lost Stradivarius · Theme
Obsession and Possession
How The Lost Stradivarius develops Obsession and Possession.
The narrative centers on John Maltravers' obsessive attachment to the Stradivarius violin and the music of the 'Areopagita' suite, which increasingly possesses his mind and soul, leading to his moral and physical ruin.
Where it surfaces
- Miss Sophia Maltravers’ Story
John's obsessive attachment to the violin and its influence over his life and decisions.
- VII
John's excitement and secrecy over the violin, and his later concern about rightful ownership, highlight the theme of possession and its moral implications.
- IX
John's secretive attachment to the violin and his reluctance to reveal its existence reflect his growing obsession.
- Chapter XI
John's compulsive repetition of the gagliarda and his fixation on the portrait.
- Mr. Gaskell’s Note
John's obsession with the diary and the past consumes him, leading to his physical and moral decline.