Black Aesthetics in August Wilson The Piano Lesson

Abstract

The thesis is about the importance of Black art in its own way not in comparison to other cultures in the world. The research proves that if any one attempts to beautify or judge any culture or any other aspects in terms of other famous cultures, they are wrong because no culture can be compared. Black aesthetics started in the 1960s, gives justice to the original art that the Black people have their own poetics, art literature and that cannot be fully explained within the larger frameworks of European American literature. Their cultures, religion, history, relationship, and many more should not be understood from the perspective of other cultures. It is wrong to discriminate people in terms of color of people. Racism is the abuse of power holders which should be abolished. Black people who have stayed together for a long time, they are accustomed to showing white superior until they get real knowledge.

The Piano Lesson is mainly about Boy Willie and Berniece who have conflict about the historic piono. The piano is not only the musical instrument but it bears the ancestral history of the black people. The old people had decorated and designed in such a way that no other cultures have such uniqueness. In the beginning, Willie does not understand its importance. Thus, Willie wants to sell it against Berniece’s desire. There are many people’s souls attached with the piano. Berniece thinks that selling the piano would be the same as selling their souls. She is determined to save it at any cost. At last, Willie agrees with his sister and he goes to Mississippi warning his sister not to give up playing the piano. The piano, therefore, is a symbol for black people that they have distinct culture from the white people.