It was as if his eye were an ear and a crackle went through it each time he shot a look at the accordion. ...The notes fell, biting and sharp; it seemed the tooth that bit was hollowed with pain.
In Annie Proulx's "Accordion Crimes," the protagonist experiences a profound connection with the accordion, as if his gaze transforms into an auditory perception. Each glance at the instrument elicits a crackling sensation, suggesting a deep emotional resonance that transcends ordinary sight. This uniquely physical reaction emphasizes the profound impact music can have on our senses and feelings.
The description of the music as "biting and sharp" reflects the emotional turmoil associated with it. The metaphor of a hollowed tooth conveys a sense of deep-seated pain intertwined with the beauty of the sound, suggesting that the music invokes both pleasure and suffering. This duality reveals the complex relationship between art and emotion, illustrating how music can evoke powerful, often conflicting feelings in listeners.
