“Piano Lesson” Analysis Essay

A title of a work is carefully chosen to not hardly hitting interest but also to give some sort of clue as to the significance of the work. In the case of August Wilsons The Piano Lesson, the title, though a play on words, reveals how important the piano is to the message Wilson is trying to convey. The piano, as an object, moves the plot of the play along since the counterpoint is the two main casings armed combat over it. On the other mickle, the piano, as a symbol, represents the perseverance of history in an individuals lives. Its presence and symbolism work hand in hand to communicate the lesson that family history remains with a person and its their responsibility to decide how to use it.Looking at the different characters and their views on the piano provides evidence of this message. The play begins with Boy Willie barging into the sign where his sister, Berniece, lives with his uncle, Doaker. Boy Willies purpose for being there is to sell the piano that Berniece keeps so that he can buy the land from his relatives former slave owners. He knows the importance of the piano but views it as an object and a means for achieving his own success so that he can prove that he deserves as much respect as the white man. He says, The only thing my daddy had to give me was that pianoI aint gonna let it sit up here and rot without trying to do something with it (1.2).In his mind, keeping his familys legacy isnt with remembering them through the piano but using the piano as a means of making money, which to him will honor them in the long run. He tells his sister, Im supposed to build on what they left menow the kind of man my daddy was he would have understood that (1.2).He does acknowledge though that the prehistorical is something to be proud of. He lectures Berniece, You ought to mark down on the calendar the day that dada Boy Charles brought that piano into the houseand every year when it come up throw a party. Have a celebration. If you did that Maretha wouldnt have no line in life (2.5).Boy Willies sister, Berniece, takes an entirely different approach when it comes to her choice of how the piano is used. Berniece is a character that lives in the past in an unwholesome way. The past has hardened her and it shows in the way she raises her child, Maretha, telling her not to go off showing her color (1.1).When Doaker comments on Berniece keeping the memory of her deceased conserve saying, she still holding ontoto him (1.2) is further evidence of her clinging to the past but not using those memories in a productive manner. Unlike Willie, she views the piano as a symbol of her familys heritage but fears it. She scolds Boy Willie for trying to sell it when she says, You always talking about your daddy but you aint neer stopped to look at what his foolishness cost your mamacold nights and an empty bedFor a piano? To labor even with somebody? (1.2).She shows her acerbity to the past by refusing to play the piano and refusing to tel l her daughter of its history. Berniece is also afraid of the piano because of those who died because of it. Her mother died honoring it and her father died trying to get it. She explains to her suitor, Avery, I dont play that piano cause I dont want to wake them enliven (2.2). She faces that fear when Boy Willie comes to the house bringing a ghost with him however, the ghost isnt their dead relatives but Sutters. The presence of the ghost forces Berniece to face the past and Boy Willie to acknowledge that the past matters bonny as much as the future. The play concludes when Avery, who is a preacher, comes to the house to get rid of the ghost. The ghost protests and fights with Boy Willie. It is then that Berniece plays the piano to call on the spirits of her dead relatives singing, I want you to help me (2.2). By doing this she learns the lesson that the past isnt there to burden her but to give her strength for the future. Boy Willie also learns the lesson that the past is alive and that using it doesnt have to be materialistic. It can simply be used to remember who you are.The lesson that the two characters learn is Wilsons way of communication to the audience how important family legacy is. The characters growth in terms of their views on the piano display how easily one can unload sight of what is important in terms of being a person. Boy Willie thinks being somebody is materialistic while Berniece hides from being somebody at all. though the main characters take a big part of the play the pianos reoccurring presence and symbolism is the central focus of the play since it is through it that the conflict comes together, through it that the characters learn their lessons, and through it that family history is brought to life.