This book is very deceptive. On the surface it looks like a children's book. The artwork
is primitive and the main character is talented, brightly colored, and bullied. It has
all the initial trappings of a morality tale, but is really very cynical and not a lesson
to give to young children. It put me in the mind of The Emperor's New Clothes, only
backward.
The Blue Chequered Harlequin is teased and ostracized because he can only play
his instruments but not sing. When a wiseman comes to the village and raves about the
Harlequin's talent the town changes its mind:
"He is a man, still, and one of great skill!
If no one else will admit it, then I certainly will!"
And the people said,
"This Blue-chequered Harlequin (whom we thought was nothing at all)
Has tremendous talent, and is really something after all!"
Once he has the town's approval, he changes his image and becomes the Magnificent
Musician in White.
The artwork tells the tale as well. The simple line drawings that represent the townspeople
emphasize the herd mentality of the people who can talk. Nobody speaks up for the musician,
and it makes me wonder who is really mute, those who can't talk or those who won't. They
don't decide that they like or dislike the music; they only follow the direction of the
wise man who, by the way, is the only person in the book whose mouth is never seen. The
Christ-like rendering of the wise man emphasizes the idea that the artist must be blessed
by a Higher Mystical Being in order to transform into the idealized image of a star, pure
and white.
Notice I don't challenge the veracity of the scenario; only that the story isn't appropriate
for children. They will learn this type of thing soon enough on their own. As a gift for
a grown up, especially one who is a musician or other type of artist, it may put a little
salve on the wounds to know that somebody understands.