Synopsis
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Pacing
- Moderate
- Mood
- Atmospheric, Sensual, Intense, Dark, Liberating
- Read it if
- You want a deeply sensual, character-driven historical romance with a strong focus on female desire and challenging societal norms, set against a wild, untamed backdrop.
- Skip it if
- You prefer light-hearted romance, are uncomfortable with themes of sexual coercion and graphic imagery, or dislike stories with morally ambiguous characters.
The Piano Plot Summary
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
Arrival in New Zealand
Ada McGrath, a mute Scottish woman, and her young daughter Flora arrive on a remote beach in 19th-century New Zealand. They bring Ada's piano, a symbol of her inner world and her only way to express herself. Ada has been sent for an arranged marriage to Alistair Stewart, a rigid frontiersman who bought land from the Maori. Stewart's first meeting with Ada is awkward; he refuses to move the heavy piano from the beach to their isolated home, calling it an unnecessary burden. Ada, unable to speak, shows her distress through sign language, interpreted by Flora, a lively child. Stewart remains unmoved. The piano is left on the beach, causing Ada deep pain.
The Piano's Relocation and Baines's Offer
Stewart, more concerned with his land than his new wife's feelings, refuses to get Ada's piano. It stays on the beach, exposed to the weather, to Ada's despair. George Baines, a rough but sensitive Englishman who has adopted Maori culture, takes an interest in Ada and the piano. He offers to move the instrument to his cabin. Baines, curious about Ada's silence and her passion for music, proposes a deal: he will give Ada the piano back, not for money, but in exchange for 'lessons,' or specific 'favors' related to the piano. Ada, desperate to have her instrument, reluctantly agrees, though she does not fully understand what Baines's offer means.
The Bargain Begins
Ada begins visiting Baines's cabin, with Flora, to 'earn back' her piano. Baines's 'lessons' quickly become intimate encounters. He asks Ada to play for him, and then for small, personal liberties: to touch her skin, to see her ankle, then her knee. Ada, at first repulsed, finds herself drawn into the strange power dynamic. Her desperate desire for her piano conflicts with her Victorian upbringing. Flora, watching these sessions, is a confused but loyal observer. The piano becomes both a tool of seduction and a way for Ada to express herself, with Baines captivated by her music and her silent intensity.
Growing Intimacy and Stewart's Jealousy
As Ada continues her visits to Baines, their encounters grow more intimate, moving from touches to more explicit sexual acts. Ada, initially a passive participant driven by her need for the piano, slowly starts to experience a sexual awakening and a connection with Baines that she has never felt with Stewart. Baines, for his part, falls in love with Ada, captivated by her spirit and her music. Stewart, meanwhile, grows suspicious of Ada's frequent absences and her bond with Baines. His possessive nature is stirred, fueled by both jealousy and a sense of insult to his authority. He begins to watch them, his coldness turning to rage.
Flora's Discovery
One day, Flora, curious, follows Ada to Baines's cabin. She sees Ada and Baines engaged in an intimate act, a scene that deeply disturbs her. Overwhelmed by what she has seen, Flora runs back to Stewart and, in a moment of distress, reveals Ada's infidelity. This revelation shatters Stewart's composure. Flora's innocence is broken, and her loyalty to Ada is tested, creating a rift between mother and daughter. Stewart's reaction is swift and brutal, starting a chain of tragic events.
Stewart's Retribution
After Flora's revelation, Stewart is consumed by furious rage. He confronts Ada, demanding to know the truth. When Ada, still unable to speak, cannot deny his accusations, Stewart's anger explodes. In a fit of jealous fury, he seizes an axe and chops off one of Ada's fingers, the one with her wedding ring, as a brutal act of 'ownership' and punishment for her perceived betrayal. This horrific act is a stark symbol of his control. Ada is left mutilated and traumatized, her body bearing the physical scars of Stewart's cruelty.
Baines's Intervention and Ada's Choice
After Stewart's brutal act, Baines finds Ada, gravely wounded and despairing. He is horrified by what Stewart has done and feels responsible for Ada's suffering. Baines tends to her injuries and offers her a chance at a new life with him, away from Stewart's cruelty. He understands her desire for the piano and her need for freedom. Ada, now deeply traumatized but also empowered by her experience, realizes she cannot remain with Stewart. She makes a choice, deciding to leave her arranged marriage and embrace a future with Baines, a future that promises genuine connection and respect, rather than her husband's oppressive control.
The Journey to a New Life
Ada, Baines, and Flora prepare to leave the settlement. Baines arranges for their passage on a boat. As the piano is being loaded onto the waka (Maori canoe), Ada, in a symbolic act of liberation, intentionally allows herself to fall overboard, tied to her piano. This is a moment of internal struggle, a choice between life and death, between her past and her future. Baines pulls her back to the surface, and she chooses life and her love for him and Flora. This near-death experience marks a turning point, a cleansing, as she sheds the burdens of her past and embraces a new existence.
A New Beginning
Ada, Baines, and Flora settle in a new town, far from the wilderness and Stewart's influence. Baines, understanding Ada's deep connection to her music, has the piano repaired and even creates a new ivory finger for her, allowing her to play again. In this new environment, surrounded by Baines's love, Ada slowly begins to heal. The piano, once a source of both comfort and pain, now represents her freedom. Gradually, Ada starts to speak again, her voice returning in whispers, then words, as she finds her place in a world where she is truly seen and heard.
Flora's Reconciliation and Ada's Voice
Flora, initially resentful and confused by her mother's choices, slowly reconciles with Ada, understanding her mother's suffering and her need for love and freedom. Their bond, once strained by Flora's unwitting betrayal, is re-established on a foundation of deeper understanding. Ada's journey to reclaim her voice is gradual but powerful. She practices speaking, her voice growing stronger with each word, showing her resilience and her newfound sense of self. The story ends with Ada playing her piano and speaking, living a life of independence and emotional fulfillment, finally free from the constraints that once silenced her.
The Piano Characters
Ada McGrath
Protagonist
A mute Scottish woman forced into an arranged marriage, whose piano is her only voice.
Ada is a complex and deeply private woman, mute by choice since childhood, who expresses herself solely through her piano. She is an artist, passionate and fiercely independent, despite her outward vulnerability. Her silence makes her an enigma, but her inner world is rich and tumultuous. She is driven by a profound need for self-expression and connection, which is initially channeled through her music. Her journey is one of sexual awakening and liberation, challenging the patriarchal constraints of her era.
Relationships: Flora McGrath (Daughter, interpreter, and confidante, though their bond is tested.); Alistair Stewart (Husband by arranged marriage, a source of oppression and violence.); George Baines (Lover and liberator, who sees and values her true self.)
Flora McGrath
Supporting
Ada's spirited and imaginative daughter, her only verbal link to the world.
Flora is a vibrant, mischievous, and imaginative child, deeply devoted to her mother. She acts as Ada's interpreter, a role that gives her unusual insight and responsibility for her age. She is a bridge between Ada's silent world and the spoken world, often embellishing Ada's signs with her own interpretations. Her innocence makes her vulnerable to the complex adult relationships around her, leading to a pivotal, albeit unintentional, betrayal of her mother. She is fiercely protective of Ada but also seeks the approval of her stepfather.
Relationships: Ada McGrath (Mother, whom she loves deeply but inadvertently betrays.); Alistair Stewart (Stepfather, whose approval she seeks.); George Baines (A complex figure, initially a rival for her mother's attention, later a paternal figure.)
Alistair Stewart
Antagonist
Ada's rigid and possessive husband by arranged marriage.
Stewart is a British settler in New Zealand, a man of property and rigid Victorian values. He is emotionally stunted, cold, and possessive, viewing Ada more as a possession than a partner. He struggles to understand or connect with Ada's artistic and emotional depth, particularly her silence. His loneliness and insecurity manifest as a desire for control and, ultimately, violent rage when his patriarchal authority is challenged. He represents the oppressive societal norms and male dominance of the era.
Relationships: Ada McGrath (Wife, whom he sees as a possession and attempts to control.); Flora McGrath (Stepdaughter, whose loyalty he tries to win.); George Baines (Rival for Ada's affection, whom he despises.)
George Baines
Supporting
A rugged settler who falls in love with Ada and becomes her liberator.
Baines is a rough-hewn but sensitive Englishman who has adopted the ways of the Maori people. He is an outsider to the rigid European society, preferring the company and culture of the indigenous people. He is captivated by Ada's silence and her music, sensing a kindred spirit and a depth that others overlook. He is direct in his desires but also genuinely caring, ultimately prioritizing Ada's well-being and freedom over his own gratification. He represents a more primal, unfettered form of masculinity and connection.
Relationships: Ada McGrath (Lover and partner, whom he deeply understands and liberates.); Alistair Stewart (Rival, whom he eventually defeats for Ada's love.)
Nessie
Mentioned
Ada's deceased mother, whose story provides context for Ada's muteness.
Nessie is Ada's deceased mother, whose complex relationship with a married man and subsequent ostracization from society are revealed in Ada's backstory. Her unconventional life and the social judgment she faced deeply impacted Ada, contributing to Ada's decision to stop speaking. Nessie's story highlights the oppressive societal expectations placed upon women in the Victorian era and the consequences of defying them.
Relationships: Ada McGrath (Mother, whose life choices influenced Ada's muteness.); Flora McGrath (Grandmother, though never met.)
The Maori
Supporting
Indigenous people of New Zealand, living alongside the European settlers.
The Maori characters, though not individually named in the summary, represent the indigenous population of New Zealand. They are depicted as a community with their own culture, traditions, and a more open, less rigid worldview compared to the European settlers. They have a practical understanding of the land and a spiritual connection to their environment. Their presence provides a backdrop for the colonial setting and highlights the cultural clashes and adaptations of the time.
Relationships: George Baines (He has integrated into their community and adopted some of their ways.)
The Piano Themes
Voice and Silence
Ada's muteness is central to the story, a self-imposed prison and a form of protest. Her piano is her true voice, a way to express her emotions and intellect. The struggle to regain her literal voice mirrors her journey to find her independence and express her true self. Stewart's inability to understand her silence highlights his emotional disconnect, while Baines's acceptance allows her to eventually speak again. This theme is powerfully shown when Ada intentionally falls overboard with her piano, choosing between silence and life.
“'It is a great mystery. Why she stopped speaking. Some say she was born dumb, but I don't believe it. She just chose not to speak.”
Sexual Awakening and Female Desire
The story explores Ada's repressed sexuality and her awakening through her relationship with Baines. Her arranged marriage to Stewart lacks passion, but the sensual agreement with Baines ignites a powerful desire within her. The piano itself becomes a metaphor for her body and her hidden desires, with Baines's 'lessons' linking music and intimacy. This theme challenges Victorian norms that suppressed female sexuality, presenting Ada's journey as a liberation from patriarchal control and a discovery of her own sensual power.
“I have fallen in love with your mind, your spirit, your silence, and your music. And your body.”
Colonialism and Cultural Clash
The remote New Zealand setting and the interactions between European settlers and the indigenous Maori population show the clash of cultures. Stewart represents the rigid, exploitative nature of colonialism, seeing land and people as possessions. Baines, by contrast, has adopted Maori culture, representing a more respectful approach. The harsh landscape itself acts as a character, reflecting the wildness that challenges and shapes the characters, especially Ada's struggle against Victorian society's confines.
“The only thing I love more than a good cigar is a good piece of land.”
Possession and Freedom
The theme of possession is explored in many ways: Stewart's ownership of land, his arranged marriage to Ada (whom he sees as property), and his attempts to control her. Ada's piano also becomes an object of possession, first by Stewart's neglect, then by Baines's agreement. Ada's journey is a struggle for freedom—freedom of expression, freedom from an oppressive marriage, and ultimately, freedom to choose her own life and love. Stewart's brutal act of cutting off Ada's finger is the ultimate expression of his desire for ownership, while Ada's choice to abandon him shows her triumph in reclaiming her independence.
“This is mine! You are mine!”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Piano
A symbol of Ada's voice, identity, and inner world.
The piano is the most significant plot device, acting as an extension of Ada herself. It is her only means of communication and emotional expression, making its abandonment on the beach an act of profound cruelty. It becomes the currency of Baines's sensual bargain, linking Ada's music, body, and desire for freedom. Its eventual repair and Ada's ability to play it again symbolize her healing and the reclamation of her voice and self. The piano's journey mirrors Ada's own, from being abandoned and damaged to being restored and cherished.
Ada's Mutism
A narrative device to heighten Ada's internal world and external struggles.
Ada's inability to speak (or choice not to) is a central device that shapes her character and interactions. It forces other characters to interpret her, often revealing more about themselves than about Ada. It heightens the visual and emotional impact of her piano playing and makes her eventual return to speech incredibly powerful. Her mutism also serves as a metaphor for the societal silencing of women, making her journey to reclaim her voice both literal and symbolic of feminist liberation.
The New Zealand Wilderness
A setting that reflects characters' internal states and challenges.
The wild, remote, and often unforgiving landscape of 19th-century New Zealand is more than just a backdrop; it functions as a plot device. The isolation intensifies the characters' conflicts and desires, forcing them to confront their true selves. The untamed nature mirrors Ada's own wild spirit and her struggle against the confines of Victorian society. The dense bush and treacherous beaches symbolize the emotional and physical challenges Ada faces, while also offering a sense of raw freedom that contrasts with the settlers' rigid social structures.
Flora's Interpretation
A filter through which Ada's thoughts are conveyed and often distorted.
Flora's role as Ada's interpreter is a crucial plot device. It provides a means for Ada to communicate with the outside world, but it also introduces a layer of subjectivity and occasional childish embellishment. Flora's interpretations are not always precise, sometimes reflecting her own desires or misunderstandings. This device highlights Ada's isolation and the difficulty of truly knowing her, while also making Flora an integral, albeit sometimes unwitting, participant in the unfolding drama, particularly when she reveals Ada's affair to Stewart.
The Piano Quotes
“The piano is a part of me. It's how I speak.”
“I will not be bought, nor sold, nor bartered. I will not be owned.”
“Love is a dark and terrible thing, and it will find you out.”
“It is my piano. It is mine.”
“The world is an ocean, and we are just little boats, trying to find our way home.”
“I felt a great surge of anger, and then a great surge of desire.”
“I have loved you since the first time I saw you.”
“Silence is the language of the wilderness.”
“He wants to own her, but he can't.”
“I am a shadow, always following the light.”
“The piano is my memory, my history, my future.”
“There are things you cannot explain with words.”
“The sea is a cruel mistress.”
“I wished for a life that was mine, truly mine.”
“He bought a wife, but he didn't buy her soul.”
Quiz
10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.
Question 1
What is the primary reason Ada McGrath travels to New Zealand at the beginning of the story?
- To escape a scandal in Scotland
- To pursue a career as a concert pianist
- To enter into an arranged marriage with Alistair Stewart
- To join a missionary group
Show answer
C. To enter into an arranged marriage with Alistair Stewart Ada travels to New Zealand for an arranged marriage, a common practice in Victorian times, especially for women in her position.
Question 2
Why is Ada's piano initially left on the beach after she arrives in New Zealand?
- Stewart believes it is too much trouble to transport through the bush.
- The Maori porters refuse to carry it any further.
- Ada herself requests it be left there so she can return to it.
- It is damaged during the disembarkation process.
Show answer
A. Stewart believes it is too much trouble to transport through the bush. Stewart, Ada's betrothed, deems the piano too heavy and impractical to transport immediately through the dense New Zealand bush to his home.
Question 3
What is George Baines's initial offer to Ada regarding her piano?
- He offers to buy it from her outright.
- He offers to trade it for a piece of his land.
- He offers to transport it to her home for a fee.
- He offers to teach Flora how to play it.
Show answer
B. He offers to trade it for a piece of his land. Baines initially proposes a trade: the piano for a plot of his land, which Ada vehemently rejects, as her piano is her voice.
Question 4
What is the 'secret' of Flora's conception, as revealed in the novel?
- She is the result of Ada's affair with a married man in Scotland.
- She is the product of Ada being raped by her piano teacher.
- She was adopted by Ada after her biological parents died.
- She is actually Stewart's biological daughter from a previous relationship.
Show answer
B. She is the product of Ada being raped by her piano teacher. The novel delves into Ada's past, revealing that Flora was conceived when Ada was raped by her music teacher, a traumatic event that contributed to Ada's silence.
Question 5
What is the nature of the 'lessons' Baines proposes to Ada in exchange for her piano?
- He wants her to teach him to read and write.
- He wants to listen to her play the piano while he performs tasks for her.
- He asks for physical intimacy in exchange for the keys.
- He wants her to help him learn the Maori language.
Show answer
C. He asks for physical intimacy in exchange for the keys. Baines's 'lessons' are a series of increasingly intimate encounters, where he earns the right to touch Ada and eventually engages in sexual acts with her in exchange for the piano keys.
Question 6
How does Stewart discover Ada's affair with Baines?
- He overhears Ada and Baines talking in the bush.
- Flora tells him after observing Ada and Baines together.
- He finds a letter Ada wrote to Baines.
- One of the Maori villagers informs him.
Show answer
B. Flora tells him after observing Ada and Baines together. Flora, Ada's daughter, witnesses her mother's encounters with Baines and, in a moment of distress and confusion, reveals the affair to Stewart.
Question 7
What is the significance of Ada's silence in the novel, beyond its immediate cause?
- It symbolizes her rebellion against societal expectations for women.
- It represents her profound trauma and inability to articulate her pain verbally.
- It is a genetic condition inherited from her mother.
- It is a deliberate choice to manipulate those around her.
Show answer
B. It represents her profound trauma and inability to articulate her pain verbally. Ada's silence is deeply tied to her traumatic past, particularly the rape, serving as a powerful symbol of her emotional wounds and her voice being taken from her, which she then expresses through her piano.
Question 8
What is the ultimate fate of Ada's finger after Stewart's act of violence?
- It is successfully reattached by a local doctor.
- She wears a thimble over it to protect it while playing.
- It remains severed, and she learns to play the piano with her remaining fingers.
- Baines retrieves it and keeps it as a memento.
Show answer
C. It remains severed, and she learns to play the piano with her remaining fingers. After Stewart chops off her finger in a fit of rage, Ada is left with a permanent injury. She adapts, learning to play the piano with her nine remaining fingers, a testament to her resilience.
Question 9
How does Ada attempt to end her life towards the end of the novel?
- She tries to drown herself by jumping overboard from the boat.
- She attempts to poison herself with local herbs.
- She runs into the bush, hoping to get lost.
- She refuses to eat or drink until she perishes.
Show answer
A. She tries to drown herself by jumping overboard from the boat. While being transported away with her piano, Ada deliberately wraps her foot in the piano's rope and pushes it overboard, attempting to drown with it, symbolizing her deep connection to the instrument as her soul.
Question 10
What does the ending of the novel suggest about Ada's journey and future?
- She returns to Scotland, abandoning her past in New Zealand.
- She continues to live with Baines, learning to speak and finding a new sense of self.
- She becomes a recluse, playing her piano alone in the wilderness.
- She marries another man and completely forgets her past with Baines.
Show answer
B. She continues to live with Baines, learning to speak and finding a new sense of self. The novel concludes with Ada living with Baines, having learned to speak again, and even acquiring a new, lighter piano. She is shown to be learning to live a new life, finding her voice and agency.
The Piano FAQ
What is the central premise of 'The Piano' novel?
'The Piano' novel centers on Ada McGrath, a mute Scottish woman, who is sent with her young daughter, Flora, and her beloved piano to New Zealand for an arranged marriage to Alistair Stewart. The narrative explores her struggles to reclaim her piano and her subsequent passionate affair with George Baines, a local settler.
Who are the main characters in the story?
The main characters are Ada McGrath, the mute protagonist who expresses herself through her piano playing; Flora McGrath, Ada's spirited daughter and interpreter; Alistair Stewart, Ada's rigid and lonely husband-to-be; and George Baines, a local frontiersman who becomes Ada's lover.
What role does the piano play in Ada's life?
The piano is Ada's voice and soul, her primary means of communication and emotional expression since she chose to stop speaking at a young age. It is an extension of her identity, representing her artistic spirit, independence, and deep inner world.
How does Ada end up in New Zealand?
Ada is sent to New Zealand from Scotland for an arranged marriage to Alistair Stewart, a land owner. This decision is made by her father, who believes it is time for her to marry, despite her muteness and strong will.
What is the initial conflict regarding Ada's piano upon her arrival?
Upon arrival, Ada's piano is left on the beach due to the arduous terrain and Stewart's unwillingness to transport it immediately. This creates a significant conflict as Ada is desperate to retrieve her piano, which she sees as vital to her existence.
Why did Ada stop speaking, a detail explored more deeply in the novel?
The novel reveals that Ada stopped speaking voluntarily at the age of six. This choice was a conscious act of rebellion and assertion of control, stemming from a traumatic childhood experience related to her father and a desire to communicate on her own terms, primarily through music.
What is the true parentage of Flora, and how does this impact the story?
The novel clarifies that Flora is not Stewart's biological daughter but was conceived during Ada's previous relationship with a lover in Scotland. This detail adds layers to Ada's past and explains her fierce protectiveness of Flora, as well as Flora's deep bond with Ada.
What is revealed about George Baines' mysterious past?
Baines' past is explored, revealing he has lived a solitary life, scarred by previous experiences and a sense of alienation from conventional society. This background explains his rugged independence, his understanding of Ada's unconventional nature, and his initial reluctance to engage deeply with others.
What motivates Stewart's stark loneliness, as detailed in the novel?
Stewart's loneliness is depicted as a profound and pervasive state, stemming from a rigid upbringing, a lack of emotional connection throughout his life, and an inability to understand or express deep feelings. His desire for a conventional wife and family is a desperate attempt to fill this void.
How does Ada's muteness contribute to her psychological complexity?
Ada's muteness forces her to develop alternative means of communication and self-expression, primarily through her piano playing. Psychologically, it makes her highly observant and internally focused, leading to a rich inner world that contrasts sharply with her outward silence.
Analyze the psychological motivations behind Stewart's possessiveness and eventual violence.
Stewart's possessiveness stems from his deep-seated insecurity, his desperate need for control in a world he struggles to understand, and his patriarchal view of marriage. His violence is a breakdown of his rigid self-control when confronted with Ada's defiance and betrayal, an extreme reaction to feeling utterly powerless and humiliated.
How does Baines' character evolve psychologically through his relationship with Ada?
Baines initially views Ada as an object of desire and curiosity, but his relationship with her profoundly transforms him. He develops a deep empathy and respect for her unique spirit, moving beyond purely physical attraction to a genuine emotional connection, challenging his solitary and detached existence.
Discuss Flora's psychological role as Ada's interpreter and confidante.
Flora serves as Ada's voice and emotional bridge to the world, making her psychologically mature beyond her years. She carries the burden of her mother's unspoken thoughts and feelings, developing a fierce loyalty and protectiveness, but also grappling with the complexities of adult relationships.
Is 'The Piano' ultimately a story of liberation or tragedy for Ada?
This is debatable; while Ada achieves a form of sexual and emotional liberation through Baines and ultimately chooses life, the path to this freedom is marked by immense suffering and loss, particularly the severing of her finger. Her 'new life' is also a compromise, leaving her with a lingering sense of her past self.
How does the ending, particularly Ada's choice to drown her piano, signify a shift in her character?
Ada's decision to let her piano sink, though initially accidental, marks a profound shift. It can be interpreted as her letting go of her past identity and her sole reliance on the piano for expression, embracing a new, albeit imperfect, life where she begins to learn to speak again and finds different ways to connect.
Does Stewart's character evoke any sympathy, despite his cruelty?
While Stewart's actions are undeniably cruel, the novel delves into his profound loneliness and inability to connect, which might evoke a degree of tragic sympathy for his isolated existence. His cruelty stems from a desperate, misguided attempt to control and possess what he cannot understand or earn.
What is the significance of the New Zealand landscape in shaping the narrative and characters?
The wild, untamed New Zealand landscape acts as a powerful metaphor and a character in itself. It mirrors Ada's untamed spirit, Baines' rugged independence, and Stewart's futile attempts to impose order. The isolation and raw beauty of the environment amplify the characters' internal struggles and passions.
How does the novel explore themes of Victorian repression versus natural sensuality?
The novel starkly contrasts Victorian societal norms of repression, represented by Stewart's rigidity and the constraints placed upon women, with Ada's inherent sensuality and natural desires. Her affair with Baines is a powerful rejection of these societal strictures, celebrating the raw, untamed aspects of human nature.
About the author
Jane Campion is a New Zealand filmmaker and screenwriter known for her distinctive storytelling style. She is particularly recognized for her film "The Piano," which explores themes of love and communication. Campion's work often blends elements of drama and fiction, earning her significant recognition in the film industry.
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