August Wilson titles his play, "The Piano Lesson", however, the play has nothing to do with piano lessons at all. The lesson learned in this play is one of African American history. Wilson gives his audience a profound look at the past and how it influences the present. The basic theme of the play is universal for both blacks and whites on how the past can burden the present. However, Wilson puts an interesting ... me Mama Esther, I want you to help me Mama Ola- (Wilson 107). The calling of the ancestors for help intensifies the play's African heritage by excluding Christianity as a solution...

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• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... not leave him, and to do so he must sell the piano. Both have valid reasons, but the history of the piano is strong and spirits appear every time Boy Willie tries to move it, showing the family a warning not to rid themselves of the piano. In conclusion, "The Piano Lesson" is an insightful look into the African American way of life during the de-segregation period in America. Both Berniece and Boy ... Willie come into conflict throughout the play on what should be done with the family piano. Berniece with her strong sentimental values, clinging to the piano, and Boy Willies realistic lo...

• Word Count: 643
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... my half. From this dialogue we assert that Berniece is opposed to the idea of selling the family heirloom, even if it would benefit her brother. We also see how persistent Boy Willie is, with his remark to Doaker about cutting the piano in half and selling his part. August Wilson's playwright "The Piano Lesson," uses language in many ways to show his characters emotions, and how ... that character may feel about another, especially between Boy Willie and his sister Berniece. The language between these two show tension and animosity, particularly when Boy Willie ... brings up the idea of...

• Word Count: 1565
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions." He explains that the natural rights of man include the right to keep and protect his or her property. However, when the line that separates who actually owns something becomes blurred, complications tend to arise. In The Piano Lesson, August Wilson provides this exact situation when Boy Willie arrives in Philadelphia, where he hopes ... to sell the family piano in order to purchase Sutter's land. Although Berniece, who refuses to sell the piano, correctly explains that the piano holds sentimental value, Boy Willie's arg...

• Word Count: 1083
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... the Harrison's they were able to get food (left-overs, steaks, etc.), furniture (that the master wanted them to give to charity), and clothes (especially old suits to give to Junie). "I also ORDER the food, estimate the credit, PAY the bills and BALANCE the budget. Which means that each steak I order for them... I done reserved TWO for myself." Likewise, Berniece, in August Wilson's Piano Lesson, was focused on the ... tradition of the family. She was mind-set on keeping the piano in their family. "I ain't selling that piano, Boy Willie. If that's why you come up here, you can just forg...

• Word Count: 1924
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... of everyday language, something that is easy to read and comprehend because it is modernly adapted. Compared with his other play, The Piano Lesson, which is about a disorganized family and its heirloom - I think that Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is more realistic. In The Piano Lesson, somehow I sometimes get confuse and wonder why this or that happened, and to be frank, it's much more boring. However, ... in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, there was less misunderstanding and more interesting scripts, because the story line corresponds so much to our social lives today. Ma Rainey's Black ... or f...

• Word Count: 692
• Approx Pages: 3