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The Piano Lesson Analysis

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In August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, Berniece, struggles with the memory of playing the piano for her mother which reveals the constant struggle with accepting her family’s legacy and using it for good. Berniece in the beginning does not accept and does not share her family’s legacy with her daughter which makes it difficult for them both to grow. Berniece is not able to share her family’s legacy with her daughter because of her denial to accept the past. The Piano Lesson reveals the importance of accepting your family’s legacy and being able to use it for good. Accepting turmoil in your family’s past and learning from those events is being able to use your family’s legacy for good. When Boy Willie came up north he intended to sell the piano …show more content…
While trying to take the piano out of the house Sutter’s ghost, the ghost of The Yellow Dog, and the ghosts of Charles’ family ancestors were present. The ghost of The Yellow Dog and the Charles’ family were present trying to help Berniece keep the piano in the house because they understand the symbol of the piano symbolizing Berniece’s ancestors and everything that they had to live through. The ancestors and the ghost of The Yellow Dog do not allow Boy Willie leave with the piano because they understand the importance of accepting your family’s legacy. Sutter was present in the ending of the play because he was there to get the piano back because he believes it is rightfully his. The piano is also part of Sutter’s family’s legacy, just like it is to the Charles’ family. The Ghost of the Yellow Dog and the Charles’ family ancestors not allowing Sutter’s ghost to leave with the piano symbolizes the final feat of the Charles family over the Sutter family. These forces being active in the ending of the play help Berniece understand the importance of accepting your family’s legacy, which she struggles with throughout the entire play. These forces do not allow Boy Willie to leave with the piano and make Berniece accept and use their family’s legacy for good moving

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