Comparison Essay for the Piano Lesson

Comparison Essay for the Piano Lesson

  • Submitted By: aalston1984
  • Date Submitted: 10/11/2008 9:05 AM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 1217
  • Page: 5
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Symbolic Comparison of The Piano Lesson and On the Road

These two stories deal with and serve as an explanation of conditions befalling African Americans during the Depression era. These stories tell us of African Americans, who were overlooked by a prejudice society. In life, we are often confronted with boundaries created by society and ourselves. In our limited understanding of what those boundaries represent, we find ourselves confined by our ego. Alison Clarke suggested, “Racism and prejudices have plagued society for many years, and many of us have been judged and condemned for expressing our true selves”(21). In Wilson’s’ play, The Piano Lesson, this story is about a brother and sister who argues about whether they should sell their family’s piano. The central symbol in this play is the 137 year old piano. In Langston Hughes’ , On the Road, is about a powerless individual that takes action on behalf of his conditions. Hughes’ uses nature to demonstrate his main character’s unwillingness to participate in life. Although both stories are different , these two stories have a similar powerful symbolic meanings.


Alston 2

In the play, The Piano Lesson, the piano is the symbol. There is a debate amongst two siblings about whether or not the family’s’ piano should be sold. Boy Willie wants to sell his familily’s ancestral piano to buy land. His sister
Berniece insists on keeping it. The piano has the carved faces of their great grandfathers’ wife and son were sold in exchange for the piano during the days of slavery. Both characters have really great point of views. For Berniece, the piano, symbolizes the African American way; For Boy Willie it symbolizes the American way. The piano has a different symbolic meaning for each character.
For Berniece, the piano symbolizes the African American way. The piano itself has a long history. It seems that Berniece feels that this is the only way to connect with her family. The piano is a...

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