The Piano Lesson – The Piano Lesson 4

There are TWO parts to this discussion. Pay close attention to each and answer the prompts thoughtfully and carefully.  To help you with this discussion I recommend reviewing the script or view the film.The Piano Lesson (Links to an external site.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8dUHxdeowE

Pt. 1: The Theme of “Legacy” in August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson

August Wilson has noted that the two-part question that pervades the play The Piano Lesson is: “What do you do with your legacy, and how do you best put it to use?”  The Charles’ legacy is incarnated by the piano in the play. It is an artifact and record of the family’s history under slavery.

1. 1. In your own words and using quotes from the play, discuss Boy Willies response to the question the play is asking: “What do you do with your legacy, and how do you best put it to use?”  (50 – 75 words)
   2. Do the same from Bernieces point of view.  (50 – 75 words)
   3. Whose argument do you find the most persuasive and why? In other words, in your opinion, who is more justified in their position and why do you feel that way? (50 words)

Discussion Directions:

This is a Small Group Discussion. After you submit your initial post no later than 11:59 pm Sunday, Nov 7th, read through your classmates entries and reply directly to two members of your group by 11:59 pm Tues, Nov 9th.

In your reply, let your classmate know whether you agree or disagree with their assessment of the characters point of view and offer your own reflection on their discussion. Perhaps you were made to see another side of the argument that you had not seen before, perhaps you absolutely agree with their conclusion/opinion. Perhaps you want to change their mind!

When you reply, please type the name of the classmate you are responding to, provide a welcome message to that person, and type your name at the bottom of the message. Make sure to follow directions within the prompts and use proper grammar, capitalization, (I instead of i) and punctuation in this college-level course in all correspondence. Please avoid text or twitter speak when corresponding.

You will not see other student’s replies until you post your initial response. 

Pt 2: “Breaking Stereotypes” (Extra Credit up to 10 points)

In The Piano Lesson August Wilson presents us with the stereotypical association of watermelons and African Americans. 

1. 1. What do you think is his purpose in doing so? (25 – 50 words)

Recall the following notes from Lecture: 

• Stereotypes give us an outline of a people… a silhouette 

• The challenge which African American theatre attempts to overcome is to fill in that silhouette

• Breaking stereotypes can be accomplished by
  • • Having characters refute the stereotype by not acting as the stereotype would dictate

• • • Taking the stereotype to the extreme so that the audience can see the ridiculousness of the stereotype.

2. Were there other times in the play that Wilson “breaks stereotypes?” If so, describe what you noticed.