# Herr Wunsch — The Song of the Lark character guide

> Herr Wunsch in The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Wunsch, Professor Wunsch, old Wunsch

**First appearance:** 0005-iii

## Snapshot

A shabby German pianist stranded in a prairie town, he teaches Thea that desire is the only big thing and that the world is small to those who want it.

## Who they are

Herr Wunsch is a broken-down musician giving lessons in Moonstone for whatever the town will pay, drinking more than he should and remembering a Europe he will never see again. He is the first person to tell Thea that her gift is real and that learning German, learning lieder, learning anything is possible if she wants it badly enough. His phrase — that there is only one big thing, desire — becomes the seed of her whole ambition, even as his own life shows her what happens when desire is not enough.

## Relationships

### [Thea Kronborg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/characters/thea_kronborg)

_professional_

Herr Wunsch is Thea's first music teacher, a drunken but gifted pianist who recognizes her talent and nurtures her early development.

### [Mrs. Kronborg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/characters/mrs_kronborg)

_social_

Herr Wunsch and Mrs. Kronborg have a cordial but distant relationship, bound by their shared concern for Thea's musical education.

### [Thea Kronborg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/characters/thea_kronborg)

_professional_

Herr Wunsch is Thea's first music teacher, a drunken but gifted pianist who recognizes her talent and nurtures her early development.

### [Thea Kronborg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/characters/thea_kronborg)

_professional_

Herr Wunsch is Thea's first music teacher, a drunken but gifted pianist who recognizes her talent and nurtures her early development.

### [Mrs. Kronborg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/characters/mrs_kronborg)

_social_

Herr Wunsch and Mrs. Kronborg have a cordial but distant relationship, bound by their shared concern for Thea's musical education.

## In the story

### [The Song of the Lark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/the-song-of-the-lark)

Mentioned as a key early mentor who introduced Thea to Gluck's Orpheus.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/ii)

Thea's music teacher, described as poor and possibly drinking, but a good teacher whom Thea defends.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/iv)

Gives Thea her lesson, reflects on his past and his hopes for her, but is superstitious about his affection bringing ill luck.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/viii)

Insists Thea play Reinecke's 'Ballade' for the concert, despite her objections; becomes arrogant about his role in the music.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/x)

Wunsch teaches Thea the lament from Orpheus, shares memories of a great Spanish singer, and celebrates Christmas with Fritz and Spanish Johnny.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/xi)

Teaches Thea a Heine poem; speaks passionately about desire and the inner necessity for art; paces the arbor in agitation.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/xii)

Mentioned as Thea's teacher; Dr. Archie worries about his drinking and possible departure.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/xiii)

Leaves Moonstone after losing pupils; inscribes a score for Thea; suffers a breakdown and becomes violent, chopping down the Kohlers' dove-house.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/xv)

Sends Thea a birthday card from Concord, Kansas; his departure is still felt by Thea and Mrs. Kohler.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as Thea's former teacher who introduced her to some music but left her largely unprepared for advanced study.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/viii)

Remembered by Thea as one who cared about her hidden potential.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned as Thea's old teacher; his inscribed score of Gluck's Orpheus is a keepsake.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned by Mrs. Kronborg as a real musician who taught Thea.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/characters/herr_wunsch
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/characters