Final answer:
Cather likely chose Wagner's music in her story for its symbolism and thematic resonance with the Romantic era, which is known for its expression of deep emotions and idealization of simpler life. Wagner's music enriches the narrative by evoking specific emotional responses that align with the story's themes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason Cather chose Wagner's music to feature in her story is likely because of its symbolism and thematic resonance. Wagner's music, along with the works of other composers such as Berlioz and Strauss, challenged the audiences of their day and fit within the Romantic era.
Romantic music is known for expressing the powerful drama of human emotions, which aligns with the literary themes of the era that focused on nature, love, suffering, and the idealization of simpler, pastoral life. Hence, Wagner's music would symbolically reinforce the themes of the story such as the intensity of emotion, the natural world, and a sense of deep, often unrequited longing.
Including Wagner's music in a story could also serve to evoke specific emotional responses in the reader, a technique that is a hallmark of Romantic art and literature. Cather's choice of Wagner aligns with the cultural practice of using music to enhance and underscore the emotional and narrative trajectory of a story, making it a deliberate and calculated inclusion rather than simply personal preference or coincidence.