Piano Lesson, by August Wilson, Who One Term Paper

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Piano Lesson, by August Wilson, who one a Pulitzer Prize for the work in 1990. Specifically, it will address the form, protagonist, and analyze a character in the play.

THE PIANO LESSON

The Piano Lesson," written by August Wilson is a climatic play with the climax coming when Berniece finally sits down to play the piano, something she has not done for many years. She conjures up the spirits of her dead ancestors to help her save the piano, and let go of her own personal turmoil. "I want you to help me Mama Esther... I want you to help me Papa Boy Charles... I want you to help me Mama Ola" (Wilson 107). She calls forth the ghost that Willie Boy literally wrestles at the end of the play, leading up to their ultimate reconciliation. Boy Willie gives up the piano because he finally realizes the importance it plays in the family. "Hey, Berniece... If you and Maretha don't keep playing on that piano... ain't. no telling... me and Sutter both liable to be back" (Wilson 108).

Berniece is one of the most pivotal characters of the play, second only to Boy Willie in terms of importance.

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She appears in almost all the scenes, and is the only thing in the way of Boy Willie and his dreams. She is a woman living in the past because she mourns her dead husband Crawley, her dead parents, and her heritage. She seems to think she has little to contribute to the family, except for her love of what has already happened. Berniece says to Lymon, "I just stay at home most of the time. Take care of Maretha" (Wilson 79).

Berniece played the piano as a child for her mother, and has not touched the piano since. She also served as the priestess who channeled the family's ghosts. Her music enabled her mother to speak with her dead father and helped animate the carved figures her grandfather carved on the piano. As she continues to live in the past, people begin to get disgusted with her and her lifestyle, including Avery, her boyfriend.

What is you ready for, Berniece? You just gonna drift along from day-to-day. Life is more than making it from one day to….....

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