The Lost Stradivarius · Chapter
Mr. Gaskell’s Note explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Gaskell provides his own account of Sir John Maltravers's decline, attributing it to the influence of a mysterious diary and a Stradivarius violin. He describes how Maltravers became obsessed with the past, abandoned Christianity for Neo-Platonism, and ultimately deteriorated physically and mentally. The chapter culminates in a confession scene where Maltravers, on Christmas morning, attempts to reveal a dark secret but is interrupted by a supernatural presence.
Themes in this chapter
Obsession and Possession
John's obsession with the diary and the past consumes him, leading to his physical and moral decline.
Supernatural and the Occult
The violin's breaking is described as an evil spirit departing; a supernatural presence is felt during the confession scene.
Music as a Dangerous Force
The gagliarda melody is described as having a deleterious influence, and the violin's music is linked to John's ruin.
Decline and Corruption
John's moral and physical deterioration is detailed, from a strong, genial man to a reserved, saturnine invalid.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Gaskell
Narrator of this chapter, provides his own perspective on Sir John's decline and the events surrounding it.
- John Maltravers
Subject of the narrative; his obsession with the past and the violin leads to his ruin.
- Adrian Temple
His diary, discovered by John, is believed to be the origin of John's ruin.
- Sophia Maltravers
Her narrative is referenced; she is present during the confession scene.
- Constance Temple
Mentioned as being with John in Naples when he took the violin to the ruined villa.
- Dr. Frobisher
One of the doctors who negatived the hypothesis of insanity.
Key passages
“the fascination of that mysticism which breathed through Temple’s narrative.”
The mystical quality of Temple's story captivated him.
Gaskell describes the initial allure of Temple's diary.
“It is curious that Michael Prætorius in the Syntagma musicum should speak of the galliard generally as an “invention of the devil, full of shameful and licentious gestures and immodest movements,””
It's odd that Prætorius called the galliard a devilish invention with indecent movements.
Gaskell cites historical opinion on the galliard to support his view of its dangerous influence.
“This reading produced in time so real an effect upon his mind that if he did not definitely abandon Christianity, as I fear he did, he at least adulterated it with other doctrines till it became to him Neo-Platonism.”
His reading so affected his mind that he either abandoned Christianity or mixed it with other beliefs, turning to Neo-Platonism.
Gaskell explains how John's studies led him away from orthodox Christianity.
“It seemed as though the breaking of the violin had been an actual relief to him; and I believe that on that Christmas morning his better instincts woke, and that his old religious training and the associations of his boyhood then made their last appeal.”
The violin breaking seemed to relieve him, and on Christmas morning his better nature briefly returned.
Gaskell observes a temporary improvement in John after the violin's destruction.
“He put up his hands, beating the air with a most painful gesture, as though he were trying to keep off”
He raised his hands and beat the air as if fending off something.
Gaskell describes John's final, desperate gesture before his collapse.
