The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather

January 7, 2010

The novel follows the main character, Thea, from her childhood in a small town in Colorado to her early adulthood in Chicago, followed by a turning point in Arizona and ends in her mid-thirties in New York City.  Each geographic region corresponds to a period in her musical career beginning with her initial discovery of her interest and blossoming talent in music through piano lessons to the discovery of her gifted singing voice to her frustration with her stagnant career and finally to her rise to become a leading opera star in New York.  Along her journey, she is inspired and supported by several men who serve as admirers, mentors, lovers and devoted friends.

This is the first novel I have read, written by Willa Cather, one of America's most respected female authors.  Her immortal legacy and that fact that one of my friend's named her daughter after her, sparked my curiousity and enthusiasm towards reading this novel.  I was not disappointed with her writing style, defined by insightful characterizations and vivid scenic descriptions.  Not only Thea, but other key characters came alive through an understanding of their physical appearance, motivations, aspirations and weaknesses.  The following passage captures her insight into human drive:
"Nothing is far and nothing is near, if one desires.  The world is little, people are little, human life is little.  There is only one big thing-desire."
She beautifully describes the admiration and love a town local, Ray, feels for Thea:
"The spark in his eye, which is one's very self, caught the spark in hers that was herself, and for a moment they looked into each other's natures.  Thea realized how good and great-hearted he was, and he realized her many things.  When that elusive spark of personality retreated in each of them, Thea still saw in his wet eyes her own face, very small, but much prettier than the cracked glass at home had shown it.  It was the first time she had seen her face in that kindest mirror a woman can ever find."

While Thea's passion and determination to succeed in her music career is admirable, it also makes her hard and often cold.
They (acquaintences made during her musical training in Chicago) could see no reason for keeping up with a girl (Thea) who under her jocularity, was cold, self-centered and unimpressionable."
Her almost unidimensional focus on success reduced my respect for Thea and my overall interest in the novel.  I know one does not need to completely like or even relate to a main character in order to enjoy a novel; however, in this case, my disappointment lay in the transformation of Thea over the novel's course from a sweet, hopeful young girl to a hard, intensely driven adulty.  I respected her drive and passion but do not believe they have to exist at the expense of warmth.  Thea was not evil and manipulative, but she appeared colder, almost stoic to emotions of warmth and human connectiveness.  Despite these qualities, her two male friends/admirers remained devoted to her.  Although I was disappointed with the Thea's character evolution, I still admire the novel due to Willa Cather's beautiful writing style and look forward to reading more of her work.