August Doaker The Piano Lesson

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Holding on to the past can be very difficult, especially if it involves suffering and pain of some kind. It is easy for an individual to turn a blind eye towards painful past events involving their family or friends, however it is crucial to embrace the past in order to create a better future. In The Piano Lesson, by August Wilson, the main characters Berniece and Boy Willie are forced to deal with their enslaved ancestors’ tragic lives, which is no easy task for either of them. However, both characters respect and keep the memories of their enslaved ancestors in their minds, as Berniece and Boy Willie fight over what to do with the piano, whether to keep it as a reminder of the family, or to sell it and buy land that the family was once enslaved …show more content…
August Wilson created Doaker in order to provide readers with a character who recalls the past in a different way, through storytelling. Doaker accepts the past, even though it may be painful, and passes down the stories through future generations, as evident in the play when he tells the story of how the piano came to be. Although Doaker does not see the piano for its spiritual significance as Berniece does, Doaker displays the central message of remembering one’s ancestors very clearly. He quotes, “Say it was the story of our whole family and as long as Sutter had it... he had us… me and Whining Boy went on down there with him and took that piano out of Sutter’s house” (45). This quote shows us how Doaker believes that the piano is a way of remembering the family stories. It also shows how he believes that Sutter, the man who held the family as slaves, did not deserve to posses the piano because it was a part of their family's past. August Wilson uses Doaker as a means of taking a break from the conflict and focusing on the family member who truly remember the past and moves forward into the …show more content…
Although Berniece first refuses to use her legacy, which is the piano, due to her fear of the past. Berniece later uses the piano to help others, as she calls upon her ancestors’ spirits in order to drive away the ghost that had been haunting the family. After doing this, Berniece realizes that the past cannot be simply overlooked. The past is the connector to the future of empowerment to African Americans. By calling on the past, Berniece drives away the spirit of the man who owned her ancestors, and provides sense of freedom that the family never had. Even Boy Willie recognizes the true importance of the piano beyond the material value it has, as he leaves without selling the piano. Boy Willie says, “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” (108). This quote is a reminder to Berniece and to readers to hold on to the past. Through this specific scene, August Wilson is trying to tell readers that facing the past head on is often the hardest, but most rewarding action a person can perform. Everyone must use the past and their legacy as hope towards the future, as Berniece used the piano to help become free of Sutter’s ghost and the chains of slavery that bound her
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