Simon the Fiddler

Content warning: This section of the guide discusses war, violence, and sexual assault.

Simon, alongside the other musicians, is not a particularly effective communicator, yet he makes his way successfully by using music as a language. Like actual language, the text suggests that music can have both positive and negative consequences, meaning that Simon must choose his “words” carefully to send the right message about himself. His carefully practiced and expansive repertoire of songs for his fiddle allows him to communicate with people from every social stratum; playing music, therefore, not only meets his practical needs but his social needs as well.

The novel names specific songs through which Simon communicates with others both positively and negatively. On two instances, song requests depict Simon’s stance on the complex social dynamics of the time. A man demands the song a Confederate anthem; Simon’s refusal to play it is both a sign of his vague allegiances and his intelligence, as the man is later charged for seditious conduct. Later, Pruitt demands a dirty song, which Simon also refuses to play, signifying his maturity and interest in his social presentation. In both instances, Simon’s refusal to cooperate leads to violence; denying the men their songs causes them to react furiously.