The Piano Lesson

by August Wilson

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Themes: All Themes

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Themes: Past and Present

Wilson's collection of plays focuses on the African-American experience throughout the 20th century while also addressing, directly or indirectly, the enduring impact of slavery.

The Charles family in Wilson's work embodies the southern Black experience across the 19th and 20th centuries. Wilson crafted his characters to symbolize this historical journey. After the 1863 emancipation of slaves, numerous former slaves remained on the land, becoming...

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Themes: The American Dream

In all his plays, Wilson explores the tension between the American dream and the African-American experience marked by poverty and racial discrimination. In The Piano Lesson, each main character imagines a different future, highlighting the challenges African Americans faced in achieving the American dream.

The concept of "the American dream" involves the belief in the potential for upward social mobility within American society: an immigrant...

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Themes: African American Migration

The Piano Lessondeals with the historical phenomenon of the African American migration from the southern, agrarian way of life to the large industrial cities of the North in search of freedom, dignity, and economic opportunities. As such, the play has two settings, the onstage setting of Doaker’s house, located in a black neighborhood in Pittsburgh in the present, and the setting of the past in the South from which all the characters in the play...

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Themes: Symbolism of the Piano

The conflict of The Piano Lessonis classic in its naturalistic simplicity. Two people are obsessed with conflicting desires: Boy Willie is determined to sell the piano, and Berniece is equally determined that he will not. At the heart of the play is the piano itself, which evolves into a rich symbol as well as a powerful dramatic device. To Berniece, the piano, with its carved faces of family members and events, represents the history of the pain...

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Themes: Symbolism of Sutter's Ghost

Another powerful dramatic device that is also rich with symbolic value is the ghost of the white landowner, Sutter, which symbolizes the memory of the enslavement and oppression of African Americans by whites. The drive of the play is toward the liberation of these people from that history, which can come about only through a sense of self-worth, which is what both Berniece and Boy Willie seek. Although the piano belonged to the Sutters, the...

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Themes: Building One's Future by Establishing a Relationship with the Past

The Piano Lessonis about building one’s future by establishing one’s ontological and cultural relationship with the past. Berniece has spent her entire life trying to run away from her problems; after her husband died, she left the South for the North to look for a new beginning and to distance herself physically from what she does not want to reexperience emotionally. Not wanting to wake the piano’s old spirits, she “shut the top on that piano”...

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Themes: The New Generation's Struggle for Freedom and Dignity

Boy Willie represents the new generation of African Americans growing up in the South. He believes that the only way for African Americans to gain freedom, dignity, and respect is to stand up for what belongs to them: “If you got a piece of land you’ll find everything else fall right into place. You can stand right up next to the white man and talk about the price of cotton . . . the weather, and anything else you want to talk about.” Like many...

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Themes: Reclaiming History and Identity

The Piano Lessondramatizes the struggle of African Americans to reclaim their sense of history and identity. The question at issue is not whether the piano belongs to Berniece and Boy Willie but how to claim what belongs to them. As is demonstrated by Berniece’s ambivalent feelings about the piano, the legitimacy of one’s heritage cannot be upheld unless it is claimed. Berniece’s fear to embrace that which belongs to her legitimizes the visit of...

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Expert Q&A

What role does Grace play in the plot and how does she complicate the gender themes?

Grace's role is minor but significant in contrasting gender themes. Her brief encounter with Willie serves as a foil to Berniece and Lymon's seduction, highlighting impulsiveness versus transformation. The rushed, inconsequential nature of Grace and Willie's encounter contrasts with Berniece's more meaningful experience, which empowers her. This juxtaposition underscores themes of gender dynamics, suggesting that superficial relationships lack transformative potential, while deeper connections can lead to personal growth and empowerment.

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Themes: Past and Present

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