Evaluating Unaccompanied Sonata
Written by Michael Mangin
Published on December 20, 2010

Orson Scott Card, the author of the Unaccompanied Sonata, creates a vivid picture inside the imagination of the reader. To explain further, the way he tells the story places an image in one's mind. This image creates a peaceful and very meaningful purpose behind the story. For reasons like these that Orson Scott Card wrote a fantastic story with a great underlying plot. In brief, the story is about a man named Christian who breaks the law by playing his instrument. Over time, he suffered from loneliness and depression without his music as the reader follows him along his path. The Unaccompanied Sonata provides the reader with at ease feelings to have read the story because of Card's characterization of Christian, Card's use of emotion and mood, and Card's underlying message.

Orson Scott Card's characterization of Christian influences the imagination of the reader. In other words, Christian represents a true inter self of every individual. Everyone has a passion, hobby, or activity they love. Christian loves to play his instrument and when the "watchers" take that away, the reader feels sorrowful and merciful towards Christian. Chris enjoyed music so much that, "He can take that rotten old piano and make that damn thing sing" (283). The message that Orson Scott Card represents here provides the importance of the individuality of a person. People embark on different journeys and have different hobbies. The "strange silent man" (283) pursued his dream, even when all else fails. This persistent and lonely individual provides the comfort the reader needs to inevitably enjoy the story. In essence, the reader begins to place themselves into the shoes of Christian and see how it was to live during such a time period. Anyone could be Chris; getting punished and resented for following his or her dream. Reasons like these prove sufficient enough for the reader to understand the message behind the character of Chris.

From beginning to end, the story has an emotional pull on the reader. The quote, "No one knew Chris again in that part of the world," (284) describes the association that Orson Scott Card presents with Christian. For example, Chris had broken the law which caused people to resent Chris. When this occurs, the reader feels the emotional tie with the character. Emotion and ambience play a large part, especially with Orson Scott Card's vivid description. The reader feels sorry when the "Watcher" tells Chris, "You may not sing. You may not play an instrument" (281). Likewise, the reader begins to feel worrisome and mysterious, as one should be when one breaks the law. Also, the reader begins to have an emotional sadness when Chris's fingers are cut off. The description that Orson Scott Card provides creates imagery within the mind of the reader who feels the sorrow. Orson Scott Card creates an emotional attachment to the text that the reader follows. By the ending of it all, Christian feels content with what he has accomplished, so does the reader.

Card's denouncement of a utopian society inflicts concepts and ideas into the reader's mind that make them thankful of what they have, and creates a sense of awareness towards unwarranted government influence. As a result, the government in the novel suppresses the people in the story which makes the reader hate the government and society in the story. Card creates a future warning against total government intervention and control in hopes of creating a perfect society or utopia. He makes this many instances that make the reader resent the "Watchers" for how they treat Chris. As one Watcher said, "The world is too perfect, too at peace, too happy for us to permit a misfit . . . to go about spreading discontent" (281). Ironically, Chris is not the individual spreading discontent; the watchers are. They chose what people can and cannot do and they strictly enforce the law. The people in the story seem to believe, "it was the law that kept them safe and happy," (284) when the law was truly forcing them into misery. Card presents this very clearly with the reactions of people in the story who wish to stand up against the government and the way Chris lives his miserable life without his music. This utopian society truly represents a dystopian society in every aspect. The very world the government attempts to keeps safe and happy continues inevitably fall as a result. Orson Scott Card writes a very interesting and great story to read. Some may argue the utopian society really does represent a "perfect society" in which everyone remains happy, but in happy societies do we cut off each others fingers? Do we cut each others vocal chords out just because they tried to do something they love? Behavior like this is no the work of God, but the work of evil. Orson Scott Card picks up on this concept and even places a quote in the story about it. Being happy means doing what one loves, not taking it away from them! Orson Scott Card's fantastic story allows the reader to understand the real meaning of love, peace, and happiness.

In a suppressed society, anything goes, including cutting off one's fingers because they tried to be happy. Through all the pain, however, Christian feels at ease with himself that he did accomplish something; he was some one. When the reader finishes the story, they applause Christian for his will to follow his dream. He may have felt sorrowful, miserable, and alienable, but "voices were all the applause he needed." Orson Scott Card effects the reader in way that some may not even imagine. I really enjoyed this story, and believe that it was an excellent read. Orson Scott Cards use of characterization, mood, and theme make the story stick in the mind of the reader. Every good reader does this, and Orson Scott Card continues to impress those who read his works. I am a senior in High School, and have read many books, stories, and novels, and this one is by far one of the best. I have lots of experience in analyzing and evaluating stories. The Unaccompanied Sonata will continue to be a favorite. On the whole, one must remember that no matter what happens in life, pursue his or her dreams until the very end. Suppression and misery may evoke itself into his or her life, but true happiness comes from the heart.

Originally written for Ms. Ruttum's Composition 1020 College level class at Coronado High School