The Piano Lesson (Masterplots II: African American Literature Series)
At a glance:
- Author: August Wilson
- First Published: 1990
- Type of Work: Play
- Type of Plot: Representational
- Time of Work: 1937
- Setting: Pittsburgh
- Principal Characters: Boy Willie Charles, Berniece, Doaker Charles, Lymon, Avery, Winning Boy, Maretha, Grace
- Genres: Domestic realism, Family literature, Drama, Psychological drama
- Subjects: African Americans, Power, personal or social, Slavery or slaves, Ghosts or apparitions, Brothers and sisters, 1930’s, Pianos or pianists, Pittsburgh, Property, Widows or widowers
- Locales: Pittsburgh, PA
The Play
All the action of the play takes place in the kitchen and parlor of Doaker Charles’s house, which, though sparsely furnished, has an old upright piano in the parlor. The piano’s legs are covered with mask-like figures, artfully carved in the manner of African sculpture.
When the play begins, it is five o’clock in the morning and Boy Willie is at the front door banging and shouting. Doaker admits Boy Willie and Lymon, who have just arrived from the South with a truckload of watermelons. Boy Willie soon informs Doaker that Sutter, a descendant of the white...
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