![]() ![]() Her briefcase, filled with musical scores, is wrenched from her handsand Mother instantly finds the bitter answer to all questions. By the count of two, Erika offers an answer that deviates sharply from the truth. But Mother never believes her because Erika tends to lie. A child should own up to her mother without being asked. You must think I won't find out where you've been, Erika. ![]() She investigates: Why has Erika come home so late? Erika dismissed her last student three hours ago, after heaping him with scorn. She puts Erika against the wall, under interrogationinquisitor and executioner in one, unanimously recognized as Mother by the State and by the Family. But her mother looms before her, confronts her. Now she bursts into the apartment like a swarm of autumn leaves, hoping to get to her room without being seen. Eventually, Erika learned how to move swiftly. Her father promptly left, passing the torch to his daughter. The baby was born after long and difficult years of marriage. Her mother is old enough to be her grandmother. Mama likes calling Erika her little whirlwind, for the child can be an absolute speed demon. ![]() Part
1 The piano teacher, Erika Kohut, bursts like a whirlwind into the apartment she shares with her mother. THE PIANO TEACHER by ELFRIEDE JELINEK Translated by Joachim Neugroschel ![]()
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