The Fiddler is a short story written by Herman Melville. I have never read any of this author’s works before. So, I didn’t know what to expect in terms of writing or style. I think starting with Herman Melville’s biography with a short story was a good idea. The Fiddler is a story about a man who was a musical prodigy, but now is living a completely ordinary life by choice and happily.
The story has only three characters. Helmstone and Standard, who have been friends for years, and Hautboy, who is introduced to Helmstone by Standard. The story begins with a frustrated Helmstone. He received a critic review that was not good; he works on Broadway. The review has left Helmstone annoyed when he runs into Standard; someone he has known for a long time. Standard introduces him to Hautboy and the three of them decide to get a drink. Helmstone likes how composed and content Hautboy is in life. He makes an assumption that because Hautboy is not ambitious or talented at something, he is happy with his life.
Standard warns Helmstone against making such assumptions when Hautboy invites them back to his rooms. Hautboy was a musical prodigy, an established fiddler player, who had all the accolades. He chose to leave all of that behind and move away Now, he is happy teaching others to play the fiddler and live an ordinary life. Helmstone is shocked by the revelation because he believes that no talent or ambition has made Hautboy content with life. The story moves at a brisk pace and focuses only on these three characters. The writing has a nice flow, although, the language and style took me longer to finish this short story.
Herman Melville’s The Fiddler centers around the theme of ambition and talent and whether that makes you make it in life as an individual. We see Hautboy through Helmstone’s perspective. He exudes comfort, friendliness, and charm which makes Helmstone forget about the critic’s remark. He seems a little envious of Hautboy and makes assumptions about him. A person like can’t be charismatic according to Helmstone. Because charismatic people are ambitious and talented. Helmstone is self-centered, as he compares himself and his talent with every person he meets and judges them. He is envious of Hautboy but tells Standard that Hautboy doesn’t have talent and ambition and that is the reason he is happy. It is an extremely prideful way to look at the situation.
Standard then tells Helmstone a story about a musical prodigy. A name Helmstone is aware of, but he doesn’t completely understand what Standard means. When Standard insists that Hautboy play the fiddle for them in his rooms and Helmstone studies him, he realizes it. The theme of the story talks about how one doesn’t need talent and ambition to be happy in life. It is often thought that your drive for success, intellect, or talent is the reason for you finding contentment in life. Through Hautboy’s character, the author proves that talent and ambition are not a measure or a guarantee to be happy in your life.
I enjoyed reading The Fiddler by Herman Melville. I liked the theme of the story and how it plays out. It teaches an important lesson, especially about our expectations of life and the reality of it. It’s best not to jump to conclusions about anyone, because you don’t know their story. You only know the part that they show you. I really liked reading this short story.
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