August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” is about a brother and a sister, Berniece and Boy Willie Charles. Berniece says she saw the ghost of the slave-owner, Sutter, and how he has been haunting the home. She wants the preacher, Avery, to bless the house so Sutter’s ghost can go away. Boy Willie exorcises the ghost in a “climatic wrestling match”, then Berniece plays the piano asking for help from her ancestors. Sandra Shannon, a literary critic, believes Berniece had no role with the exorcism of the ghost. I disagree with Sandra Shannon’s position in that Berniece had a role in the exorcism because Berniece played the piano she has not touched in years, started singing for her ancestors to help, and calmed the house after Sutter’s ghost left.
Throughout the play, it is obvious that Berniece and Boy Willie are against each other’s wishes to sell the piano. However, towards the end of the play, Berniece and Boy Willie team up in order to make Sutter’s ghost go away. When Avery begins to bless the house, the sound of Sutter’s ghost is heard. Boy Willie walks towards the staircase but suddenly gets thrown backwards by an unseen force who appears to be choking him. While Avery is still continuing to bless the house, there are noises of Boy Willie wrestling Sutter’s ghost. Towards…show more content… She began to sing to her ancestors for them to help her. Berniece sings to Avery and Boy Willie, “I want you to help me/Mama Berniece/I want you to help me/Papa Boy Charles/I want you to help me/Mama Ola” (Wilson 107). Berniece is specifically naming her ancestors in hopes that they will hear her plea and help her. After her song, everyone in the room felt calm and there was no sense of an unwanted presence. Berniece then responded to her ancestors, “Thank you./Thank you./Thank you.” (Wilson 107). Everyone in the room, especially Berniece and Boy Willie, believe Sutter’s ghost has successfully be
