87 pages • 2 hours read
August WilsonThe Piano Lesson
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1987A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Piano Lesson explores the Charles family’s struggle over a symbolic piano with intricate carvings representing their ancestry. Boy Willie wants to sell it to buy land, while his sister Berniece refuses, haunted by the piano’s history of slavery and loss. This conflict is heightened by the presence of the ghost of their family’s former enslaver, which leads to a climactic exorcism. The play depicts racism and discussions of racial violence and acts of lynching.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
August Wilson's The Piano Lesson captivates with its rich exploration of African American heritage and complex family dynamics. Critics praise its profound storytelling and compelling characters. Some note that its heavy thematic focus may challenge casual readers, but its dramatic depth and cultural significance are universally acknowledged.
Who Should Read The Piano Lesson?
Readers who appreciate The Piano Lesson by August Wilson typically enjoy family sagas, African American history, and the exploration of racial and cultural identity. Fans of A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and Beloved by Toni Morrison would find its rich storytelling and complex themes compelling.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
NPBook Details
Play: Drama
Historical Fiction
African American Literature
Relationships: Family
Identity: Race
Society: Community
Education
History: World