The central subject of The Piano Lesson by August Wilson is the conflict between Bernice and Boy Willie over the family piano. There are three major parts to the play that enhance the importance of the central subject. The first major part that the stage-play creates is Sutter’s ghost, which is present throughout the play. The second major part that the stage-play creates is the focus on the flashback of their African American History. The third major part is how Sutter’s ghost prevents Boy Willie from buying his land. The stage-play creates these three major parts to help the viewer to have a better understanding of the central subject. The stage-play The Piano Lesson presents Sutter’s ghost for the first time when Bernice is in the upstairs
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In the final scene of the film adaptation Lymon and Boy Willie try to remove the piano from the house, Bernice threatens them with Crawley’s gun. Lymon and Boy Willie realize that she has a gun and Boy Willie responds by saying, “she is just gonna have to shoot me.” It is at this point in the play where the satire is present. You are able to see their pride over the piano, but they both are willing to die over it. Shortly after it begins thunder storming and Avery starts blessing the house. Boy Willie starts yelling for Sutter to come out and it begins thunder storming even more. Boy Willie charges up the stairs. The sound of Sutter's ghost is heard, and an unseen force drives Boy Willie. Bernice starts playing the piano, which links the household to its ancestors. She is calling upon them to assist the family in its struggle against Sutter. Boy Willie finally understands the importance of the piano and Berniece finds herself able to use her legacy. This brings peace to their home because Sutter is no longer present. Throughout the whole play Sutter is present. He is present through the emotion of the storm, playing the piano, and in the violence and obstruction. Sutter’s ghost prevents Boy Willie from buying his land because he stops him from selling the piano. Sutter knows if Boy Willie sells the piano he would be able to buy his land and then he would become economically equal to
In the final scene of the film adaptation Lymon and Boy Willie try to remove the piano from the house, Bernice threatens them with Crawley’s gun. Lymon and Boy Willie realize that she has a gun and Boy Willie responds by saying, “she is just gonna have to shoot me.” It is at this point in the play where the satire is present. You are able to see their pride over the piano, but they both are willing to die over it. Shortly after it begins thunder storming and Avery starts blessing the house. Boy Willie starts yelling for Sutter to come out and it begins thunder storming even more. Boy Willie charges up the stairs. The sound of Sutter's ghost is heard, and an unseen force drives Boy Willie. Bernice starts playing the piano, which links the household to its ancestors. She is calling upon them to assist the family in its struggle against Sutter. Boy Willie finally understands the importance of the piano and Berniece finds herself able to use her legacy. This brings peace to their home because Sutter is no longer present. Throughout the whole play Sutter is present. He is present through the emotion of the storm, playing the piano, and in the violence and obstruction. Sutter’s ghost prevents Boy Willie from buying his land because he stops him from selling the piano. Sutter knows if Boy Willie sells the piano he would be able to buy his land and then he would become economically equal to