The Soloist: Exploring Themes of Friendship, Perseverance, and Trust

This assignment provides an analysis of the book 'The Soloist', focusing on the friendship between Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Ayers. The paper explores how perseverance plays a key role in their relationship and Nathaniel's rehabilitation. It examines what Nathaniel needed from Steve, and vice versa, and how their relationship evolved from distrust to trust. The assignment also discusses their individual responsibilities and the suitability of their friendship. The analysis draws from the book and secondary sources to support its arguments, offering insights into the themes of friendship, trust, and the redemptive power of music.

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The Soloist
1. How does perseverance play a role in this true story of friendship and rehabilitation?
Steve’s story paints a bond between two individuals with inseparable love, which is
destined for mutual benefit between each other. Steve benefits from Nathaniel through; content
of the book, and Steve received love and care (Bakker, 2015). Steve sported Nathaniel in a
corner playing the violin while in desperate condition; while bedraggled. The first article was on
the amusement of how a street man was playing the broken instrument correctly.
Steve continued to monitor the man through regular visits and developed a bond to help
his new friend. Well-wishers who read the articles decided to help Nathaniel with better
instruments and this motivated Steve more (Lopez 2009). Steve says, “Two weeks later, I go
looking for him once more, and he’s disappeared again.” (Collier, 2016).The article has
portrayed concern on his new friend “The response still pours in, with well-wishers
wondering how Nathaniel is doing.” .The instruments sent to Nathaniel through Steve were
precious posing security concerns and thus found him a better place in a coveted mansion.

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The mission to help Nathaniel seemed impossible due to his mistrust on those around him
with fear of compromising his freedom. Steve did continue to promote his new friend by
accepting the way he was. He introduced him to the lamp community and also enrolled him
musical classes under Los Angeles Symphony which reduces his regular movement to the street.
The power of persistence in Steve helped Nathaniel accepting indoor activities minimizing
exposure to street life.
2 (A) What did Nathaniel need from Steve?
Steve sympathizes with the condition of his new friend and decides to help him. “The
ground shakes when buses roar by, and his strings are barely audible in the orchestra of
horns, trucks, and sirens,” Steve says. Nathaniel was helpless due to his mental condition,
which deprived him of performing normal activities. Nathaniel was in dire need of love, care,
and understanding, which he received from Steve. Playing violin is a talent which requires
nature, Nathaniel was skilled but did not have the necessary tools, and for this reason, Steve
played the role of a provider though indirectly. Steve (2009) says “But we played in the same
orchestra.” In Nathaniel’s dialogue
B. What did Steve need from Nathaniel?
Steve’s economic life, writing articles, has been perpetuated by Nathaniel, though in an
indirect way. Steve is in a dilemma in his duty, he states, “Do I take notes for a column, or do I
make a few calls to see if someone can come and help him?” (Star, 2017), ( Steve, 2009).The
content in Steve’s story revolves around Nathaniel, a new friend, and he develops the art of
persistence through the journey.

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3. How does their relationship change?
The relationship between Nathaniel and Steve is at first perceive and only entails one-day
affair. The content on Nathaniel’s story motivates more readers, and for this reason, Steve
develops the urge to help his new friend more. Nathaniel says, “Yeah, I understand that, but I
don’t need help.” The desire to help develops a mutual rapport which later strengthens the
friendship bond.
4. How does the story move from distrust to trust?
Nathaniel experiences fear during the transition of moving from the street to an indoor
environment with new people. “He’s still suspicious of me, suspicious of everything around
him, it seems,” Steve says. Fear cultivates distrust, but due to persistence and understating
portrayed by Steve, Nathaniel develops trust.
5. How are they responsible for themselves and each other?
Nathaniel is responsible for his security and freedom and thus retrogresses from the help
provided. Steve has to contribute to Nathaniel’s healing process while gaining content for his
article. “Murray and Lopez compliment Nathaniel when he’s done playing.” From Steve’s
dialogue (Gerber, 2016).The content of the report cannot be complete without the presence of
Nathaniel with his illness and indispensable talent.
6 (A) Why is Steve suited to become Nathaniel’s friend?
Steve is suited to becoming Nathaniel’s friend since he offers his support to a man he
never knew (“Super Summary”). Steve says, “I’ll say the donors and I want to make sure that

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both the instruments and Nathaniel are safe.” (Steve, 2009)Steve’s friendship is paramount in
that he decides to contact Nathaniel’s sister to update her on the progress.
(B) Why is Nathaniel suited to become Steve’s friend?
Friends should not just play roles directly, in this case, Nathaniel provides the content
needed for the articles. Steve develops persistence in various situations and acknowledging the
need of other people. Nathaniel adapts to the changes and accepts the help provided “Nathaniel
now has a rooting section.” From Steve’s dialogue

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Work Cited
“SuperSummary.” SuperSummary, 2018, www.supersummary.com/the-soloist/summary/.
Accessed 30 May 2019.
Bakker, Twila Dawn. Multiples of the same: a semiotic study of Steve Reich's Counterpoint
series. Diss. Prifysgol Bangor University, 2015.
Collier, Joel M. "The origins and development of the euphonium concerto with brass band."
(2016).
Gerber, Steven K. "The Classic, Irish Beethoven! Five Folksong Settings." (2016).
Griffith, Jason. From me to we: Using narrative nonfiction to broaden student perspectives.
Routledge, 2016.
Lopez, Steve. The soloist: A lost dream, an unlikely friendship, and the redemptive power of
music. Random House, 2009.
Star, Jessica. How the Conservatory Paradigm Impacts Mental Health?. Diss. Brandeis
University, 2017.