Last Report on the Miracles of Little No Horse
Last Report On The Miracles Of No Horse:
A Review of the Literature
The focal character in this novel had many different characters throughout this touching narrative. Though the main focus was on the priest, Father Damien Modeste, he began and was actually a woman. Beginning as a young girl, Agnes Vogel née DeWitt, was also known as former Sister Cecilia of a convent in Wisconsin, widow of Berndt Vogel and lover of the piano and, more specifically, the Polish music composer, Chopin. I am going to focus on her particular love of music, piano playing and her interest in Chopin which seemed to have caused many therapeutic effects on her. Being a pianist myself, I was compelled to ask the question throughout the book, how can music have such an impact and truly influence the consciousness and perception of a person like we see in DeWitt's life story? I would like to conclude by paralleling this to my own experience using this instrument.
Agnes Vogel DeWitt This novel begins with Agnes as young girl, around the age of eighteen who seems to be searching for her purpose and place in this world. We aren't told much of her family or background but it seems that she was one is need. This is when she ends up at her future lover, Berndt Vogel's barn hungry and exhausted. Even in these moments of desperation she is thinking of finding a piano to play (Erdrich 19). Throughout the book when Agnes is facing difficult times and moments of utter desperation, we see her turn to Chopin, her music, her piano. After a series of tragedies with a flood, Agnes becomes Father Damien Modeste by placing his clothes on her. From this time forward Agnes/Father Damien lives the life of a priest giving of herself to a Native tribe. She is shown to mix the cultures and learn so much from them (Erdrich 276). But throughout this time and the remainder of her life she is also secretly torn apart inside with her own identity. This is where music seems to come in and play a
A Review of the Literature
The focal character in this novel had many different characters throughout this touching narrative. Though the main focus was on the priest, Father Damien Modeste, he began and was actually a woman. Beginning as a young girl, Agnes Vogel née DeWitt, was also known as former Sister Cecilia of a convent in Wisconsin, widow of Berndt Vogel and lover of the piano and, more specifically, the Polish music composer, Chopin. I am going to focus on her particular love of music, piano playing and her interest in Chopin which seemed to have caused many therapeutic effects on her. Being a pianist myself, I was compelled to ask the question throughout the book, how can music have such an impact and truly influence the consciousness and perception of a person like we see in DeWitt's life story? I would like to conclude by paralleling this to my own experience using this instrument.
Agnes Vogel DeWitt This novel begins with Agnes as young girl, around the age of eighteen who seems to be searching for her purpose and place in this world. We aren't told much of her family or background but it seems that she was one is need. This is when she ends up at her future lover, Berndt Vogel's barn hungry and exhausted. Even in these moments of desperation she is thinking of finding a piano to play (Erdrich 19). Throughout the book when Agnes is facing difficult times and moments of utter desperation, we see her turn to Chopin, her music, her piano. After a series of tragedies with a flood, Agnes becomes Father Damien Modeste by placing his clothes on her. From this time forward Agnes/Father Damien lives the life of a priest giving of herself to a Native tribe. She is shown to mix the cultures and learn so much from them (Erdrich 276). But throughout this time and the remainder of her life she is also secretly torn apart inside with her own identity. This is where music seems to come in and play a
Cited: Cook, Janet D. "The Therapeutic Use of Music: A Literature Review." Nursing Forum: An Independent Voice For Nursing (1981): 252-266. Erdrich, Louise. The Last ReprotOn the Miracles At Little No Horse. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2001. Herman, E.P. Music Therapy In Depression. New York: Philiosophical Library, 2006. MAM, Music As Medicine. 2011. <http://www.musicasmedicine.com/about/history.cfm>. Myskja A, Lindbaek M. How Does Music Affect The Human Body? Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen: Myskja & Lindbaek @ the University of Oslo, 2000. NRSV. The New Interpreter 's Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Nashville: Abington Press, 2003. Podolsky, Edward. Music Therapy. Kessinger Publishing, 2006. Walters, Lawrence. How Music Produces Its Effects On The Brain and Mind. New York, 2006.