Gentlehands by M.E. Kerr Book Analysis

Many people claim that human beings never really change, and all they do is reveal more of who they truly are. It is very common for people to put up a front to hide mistakes they have made in the past. More times than not they simply do not want the consequences of their actions. In those other few times, people genuinely just want to do and be better. In Gentlehands, M. E. Kerr uses Mr. Trenker’s character to contradict himself through actions and behaviors, revealing he has not changed as much as it seems, and how much of his true self he cannot conceal.

Throughout the novel, Trenker seems to try to be a different person, but he still has some of the same habits from when he was an SS officer. One of which is continuing to listen to Tosca many years later. When Skye points out that she recognizes the aria, Mr. Trenker “smiled, and nodded,” (145) making it seem as though he is pondering on memories with the song. Tormenting many Roman Jews with playing this shows complete apathy and proof that he is an inhumane person. If he has truly changed as a person, he should not be able to listen and smile to this aria. After telling the story she heard about “O Dolci Mani,” and it’s meaning to the Jews, Trenker almost sounds threatened by Skye knowing this fact. He starts trying to avoid the situation by saying “If it’s a confidence, it should remain one,” (146) in a way asking Skye not to say anything. Trenker also tells her not to “let anyone convince [her] to break [her] word” (146) revealing that he does not want Buddy to find out his secret. Before, when Trenker was relaxed, he would not have made it a point to indirectly convince Skye not to say anything in front of Buddy.

Over the next couple of pages, it is revealed that Mr. Trenker stays in contact with a “Mr. Verner.” (149) There is no reason to stay in touch with people that share a catastrophic past unless they did not want to start over. Trenker states that Renner is “no one,” and “a very old man who still collects stamps like a boy.” (149) However if he was nobody to Trenker they would not continue to make the effort of talking on the phone. As much as Trenker denies their friendship it is obvious that Renner is far more important to him than just someone who collects stamps. 

Throughout Trenker and Buddy’s conversation, there is a sensible strain as if a piece of information was missing. Their ‘plan’ highlights this fact. When De Lucca released the article revealing Gentlehands’ identity, Trenker has buddy call a number because his line “may be tapped,” (171) and “There’s no sense involving innocent people in all this.” (171) Using this as a cover story gives the readers a sense of false hope. At first, it seems as though he is trying to make himself right with his peers, however, this elucidates his reasoning for staying in touch with Renner all these years. The meerschaum pipe also revealed to be made by Renner, is another clue that they are still good friends. Trenker’s comment on the exorbitant pipe conveys that he is more than willing to support Renner and his hobbies. 

The inconsistency between his words and actions reveals his true self and beliefs, as opposed to the changed man Trenker, is trying to appear to be. Change like this may not happen overnight but if a person wants to be better, they will surely drop the habits that prevent them from doing it within the next couple of years. The past is every moment before the present, and the future is every moment after the present. The only way to fully change is to expand on character development in every moment that is the present, otherwise, the only differences from start to finish are the front and back covers of the book that is life.