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‘Medicine in Adelaide looks interesting,’ my father might suggest, thumbing through.

‘Anything but medicine.’ My mother had her own ideas. ‘Law in Melbourne? Rosie will be in Melbourne. And you could take Music as an extra.’

‘Languages perhaps. You enjoy languages, Paul.’

Suggestions were handed back and forth between them, new arguments and rationalisations produced, positions swapped. And through all the talk one thing rapidly emerged, unsaid: they no longer felt they had a concert pianist on their hands. A music teacher, perhaps ... but not a performer. I had managed only a distant third place in Adelaide, and their disappointment was clear to me—even, or perhaps especially, when they pretended otherwise.

Explanation and Analysis:

This passage demonstrates the shift in Paul’s relationship with both his parents and his future aspirations following his poor performance in a piano competition. His parents’ suggestions reflect their reevaluation of his potential, subtly ackn...

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Original

Romeo

(aside) She speaks.
O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art
As glorious to this night, being o’er my head,
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white, upturnèd, wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazy-puffing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air.

Juliet

O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art though Romeo?
Deny they father and refuse they name.
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

Modern

Romeo

(to himself) She speaks. Speak again, bright angel! For tonight you are as glorious, there up above me, as a winged messenger of heaven who makes mortals fall onto their backs to gaze up with awestruck eyes as he strides across the lazy clouds and sails through the air.

Juliet

O Romeo, Romeo! Why must you be Romeo? Deny your father and give up your name. Or, if you won’t change your name, just swear your love to me and I’ll give up being a Capulet.

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