Wunderkind (wonder child) is a German expression for child prodigy. The major theme of this story from Carson McCullers is a problem encountered all over the world: the tendency to place so much pressure to succeed on the shoulders of gifted children that they become discouraged and begin to under-perform. Questions are also raised as to whether the protagonist (fifteen-year-old Frances) has the passion to become a great pianist and, if so, whether her teacher (a well-meaning family friend) is the best one to work with her. Other themes: alienation/loneliness, competitive pressure, fear of failure, sexual confusion, escape. More…