Fabien T. Moody
Kevin D. Ferguson
World Dramatic Literature
October 16, 2015
The Piano Lesson by August Wilson August Wilson an American playwright was born April 27, 1945, Pittsburgh, Pa. Wilson was bought into a world of confusion and immigration. He lived with his single mother and five siblings; his father was mostly absent from his childhood. They moved a lot when Wilson was a young boy. The family moved from the Hill District to a white working-class neighborhood of Hazelwood. They encountered a lot racial hostility in their new home. The family was forced out the neighborhood and on to the next home. In 1959, Wilson was the only African-American student at the Central Catholic High School. At school, he encountered threats and abuse. He then attended the Connelley Vocational High School, but the curriculum was unchallenging for Wilson. At Gladstone High School in the 10th grade, Wilson was accused of plagiarizing a 20pg paper and dropped out. Wilson soon educated himself, which would later award him a degree. He always knew he wanted to be a writer his mother wanted him to be a lawyer. Thankfully, Wilson went on to pursue his dream and produced amazing work. The play “The Piano Lesson” was writing in 1990. …show more content…
This was the fourth play in Wilson’s The Pittsburgh Cycle. This play had a lot to do with ones sense of self-worth by denying ones past. This play featured a strong African-American female character to confront black culture and history. The book “The Dramatic Vision of August Wilson”, by Shannon, Sharon G. on p. 146 it said The Piano Lesson finally seems to ask is: "What do you do with your legacy, and how do you best put it to use?" The theme of this play was captures though each characters. Wilson has developed amazing dynamics with the character traits. His success flourished because of his choice of language. The female lead was a widow named Berniece the sister of brother Boy Willie. Both fight over the question of how to use the family legacy. Berniece consistently protects the family heirloom from Boy Willie saleing it for money. She believes the guardian of the family’s past is connected to the piano. She mentioned the pain their mother endured rubbing the piano for 17 years with blood and tears, after their father died in the process of acquiring it. Reading the review of The New York Times, they portrayed Bereniece with captivating, quiet authority. Along with the fight over the …show more content…
During the time, you did not see many powerful woman leads, especially black woman. August Wilson made a brave choice in this play. Berniece must represent women of power. She should gracefully stand her ground though out the play. As director, Berniece would have to also show a softer side, more likeable and not intimidating. The moment when Boy Willie finally tries to take the piano, the stakes are high and Berniece is not backing down. She will pull a gun on Boy Willie and the audience will be at the front of their sets. In the final scene the ghost of Sutter returns struggling with Boy Willie. Berniece conquers her fears and resume her old role as priestess. The family’s ancestors will come to assist in the exorcism. When the play ends Berniece will crack out of her shell and reclaim her self and
Kevin D. Ferguson
World Dramatic Literature
October 16, 2015
The Piano Lesson by August Wilson August Wilson an American playwright was born April 27, 1945, Pittsburgh, Pa. Wilson was bought into a world of confusion and immigration. He lived with his single mother and five siblings; his father was mostly absent from his childhood. They moved a lot when Wilson was a young boy. The family moved from the Hill District to a white working-class neighborhood of Hazelwood. They encountered a lot racial hostility in their new home. The family was forced out the neighborhood and on to the next home. In 1959, Wilson was the only African-American student at the Central Catholic High School. At school, he encountered threats and abuse. He then attended the Connelley Vocational High School, but the curriculum was unchallenging for Wilson. At Gladstone High School in the 10th grade, Wilson was accused of plagiarizing a 20pg paper and dropped out. Wilson soon educated himself, which would later award him a degree. He always knew he wanted to be a writer his mother wanted him to be a lawyer. Thankfully, Wilson went on to pursue his dream and produced amazing work. The play “The Piano Lesson” was writing in 1990. …show more content…
This was the fourth play in Wilson’s The Pittsburgh Cycle. This play had a lot to do with ones sense of self-worth by denying ones past. This play featured a strong African-American female character to confront black culture and history. The book “The Dramatic Vision of August Wilson”, by Shannon, Sharon G. on p. 146 it said The Piano Lesson finally seems to ask is: "What do you do with your legacy, and how do you best put it to use?" The theme of this play was captures though each characters. Wilson has developed amazing dynamics with the character traits. His success flourished because of his choice of language. The female lead was a widow named Berniece the sister of brother Boy Willie. Both fight over the question of how to use the family legacy. Berniece consistently protects the family heirloom from Boy Willie saleing it for money. She believes the guardian of the family’s past is connected to the piano. She mentioned the pain their mother endured rubbing the piano for 17 years with blood and tears, after their father died in the process of acquiring it. Reading the review of The New York Times, they portrayed Bereniece with captivating, quiet authority. Along with the fight over the …show more content…
During the time, you did not see many powerful woman leads, especially black woman. August Wilson made a brave choice in this play. Berniece must represent women of power. She should gracefully stand her ground though out the play. As director, Berniece would have to also show a softer side, more likeable and not intimidating. The moment when Boy Willie finally tries to take the piano, the stakes are high and Berniece is not backing down. She will pull a gun on Boy Willie and the audience will be at the front of their sets. In the final scene the ghost of Sutter returns struggling with Boy Willie. Berniece conquers her fears and resume her old role as priestess. The family’s ancestors will come to assist in the exorcism. When the play ends Berniece will crack out of her shell and reclaim her self and