'The Piano Teacher' And Pro-Wrestling: An Essay on Art And Suffering

Although art promises to alleviate suffering, what if it causes more pain than it assuages? Eric Shorey asks the question: What if art is immoral?

“No art could comfort HER then, even though art is credited with many things, especially an ability to offer solace. Sometimes, of course, art creates the suffering in the first place.” - Elfriede Jelinek, The Piano Teacher

CW: Self harm, drugs, rape, pedophilia, suicide

Elfriede Jelinek published the novel The Piano Teacher in 1983. Perhaps the most bit…