As we live in a more and more socially reliant world, relationships are becoming more and more important in the way that humans conceive themselves as individuals. We are defined by our attitudes and actions concerning relationships we are involved in, as well as the others involved. As we unknowingly adapt ourselves to suit and interact with those around us, we gain self understanding and self image. It is our impressions of other humans that help mark out our understanding of ourselves in the context of the rest of the world.

Examples of these ideas can be found in various texts such as Peter Goldsworthy's novel, Maestro, the Australian movie Muriel's Wedding and Melina Marchetta's novel, Saving Francesca.

Many differing types of relationships are seen in Maestro. All these lead to definitive changes in the protagonist, Paul's, character. The main relationship, is that between Paul and Eduard Keller...