The Piano

Goldie Barajas

English 6A, Lennon

11/19/09

I think the piano from the play The Piano Lesson, by August Wilson is really important and essential to the play’s meaning. Without the piano the play would not make sense. The play is centered on the piano and it is developed through the valuable history in it. The piano has a story to tell. I think it represents the struggle between the Charles family and slavery. Thinking about the piano is thinking of the many years ago in which the Charles’ were enslaved by the Sutter’s family and the events following.

As the play began I did not get why the piano had so much significance and why Boy Willie could not sell it, if indeed he owned half of it. But as the play takes place I start finding out that it’s not just a piano. It is the history in the piano that makes it significant; history of the Charles family. I found out the carvings on it were carved by Boy Willie (Doaker’s grandfather) and that Mama Ola loved when Bernice played it. Moreover, Mama Ola died polishing that piano. Boy Charles died for stealing the piano. It is as if the piano represents the past and trouble is brought with it.

Conflict over the piano within the play is throughout. At some point the conflict between Berniece and Boy Willie over the piano for me is compelling. I put myself in Berniece’s place and get to thinking that if I would have been her, I as well would not sell the piano. I would have kept it because several of my ancestors struggled while the piano was owned by the Sutters’. Not only this, but also because my father died over it and my great grandfather carved beautiful carvings on it. It would have be a waste selling it and not keep the history of it with me because the story in is vital for me and future generations of the family.

Wining Boy

Goldie Barajas

English 9A, Lennon

11/12/09

My impression of the character Wining Boy in the play,The Piano Lesson, by August Wilson, is triggered by the author’s description of him. The author states on stage descriptions that Wining Boy is “fifty-six years old and he is Doaker’s older brother.” He also states that he “tries to present the image of a successful musician and gambler, but his music, his clothes, and even his manner of presentation are old. He is a man that looking back over his life continues to live it with an odd mixture of zest and sorrow” (pg 28).

I personally agree with all these facts said about him having read about him on Act 1, Scene 2. He does seem like the kind of person who lives life with sorrow… I say this basing my opinion on what I have learned about him. I learned that his wife, Cleotha dies. I also learned that he valued the relationship he had with her. He said that with her he had a home; he really loved her but his love for gambling caused her to kick him out of their home. He lost the feeling of love. That I imagine must be sorrowful. However, I in a way like him because he seems like a man looking for adventures. I find him interesting as well because as mentioned on Act 1, Scene 2 he knows how to play the piano. I find that clever, due to the fact that, playing the piano is for me a woman's talent. On the other hand I also like him since he agrees with Berniece on not selling the piano. That comes to show he has some sort of values and feelings towards family.

But at the same time I sort of dislike him. I get the sense by what I have read that he loves money. I relate him to Boy Willie in that sense. Boy Willie also loves money but unlike Wining Boy, he does not waste it on gambling. He is very different from Doaker, his older brother. Doaker is very passive and supportive towards his family and responsible. Wining Boy, I think is almost the opposite of Doaker. Wining boy is a character I am looking forward to read more about.