The Piano Lesson

by August Wilson

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Themes: Symbolism of the Piano

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The conflict of The Piano Lesson is 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 and oppression of their family, including their father’s own death. To Boy Willie, the piano represents opportunity for the future; by selling it for cash, he hopes to buy the land on which their ancestors were slaves. Berniece, who has moved to the North and is cut off from her family roots, sees the piano as her connection with her past and her own personal identity. Boy Willie, who has stayed close to his family roots in the South, views the piano as a means of gaining equality with the white landowners, which would also mean achieving dignity and personhood.

As a dramatic device, the piano is a catalyst for much of the action. Not only do Berniece and Boy Willie create dramatic tension by fighting about the piano, but also the whole suspense of the climactic scene is built as Boy Willie makes elaborate preparations for moving the piano while Berniece gets her gun to stop him. Moreover, it is by means of the piano that much of the family history is brought forth. Berniece, who has not touched the piano in many years because of the cruel memories that it contains for her, begins to play the piano in the last scene and thereby invokes the spiritual power of their ancestors through its music. The “piano lesson” of the title is not a lesson in how to play the piano but a lesson in what the piano means.

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