Piano Lesson

Boy Willie is the protagonist in the play The Piano Lesson, which is written by August Wilson. He is a foil character to his sister Berniece. He wants to sell the family piano. His biggest obstacle is his past, and his sister. Berniece wants to salvage the piano and keep it as a namesake. The quarrels revolving around legacies is the central conflict of the play. Boy Willie’s “Super-objective” contains two parts: fear and legacy resulting in memory.

Prior to the play, Boy Willie had not seen his sister in three years. During those three years he was incarcerated and was sentenced to labor at the Parchman Prison Farm. He is considered to be the most impulsive and prideful character in the play. Boy Willie believes he is of equal standing to the white man despite his racial background. He wants to sell the piano in order to “avenge” his father’s namesake while at the same time leaving his mark in the world despite his sister’s opposition in order to create his own legacy. He doesn’t believe the battle between black and white exists and that it‘s nothing more than a memory. However, he lives in his own world and ignores the reality. Failing to succeed is his fear. He doesn’t want to believe that he is below in standing than a white man. He wants to be able to leave his legacy in the world as he believes is his right.

However, his desire conflicts with the racial situation during the time of the play. The play is set during a time when blacks were primarily slaves and considered property. They also didn't own any property. His belief that he is of equal standing with a white man could probably be traced to his lineage with the piano. The piano had symbolized his ancestors since the piano has been around during his grandfather's ...

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... through his beliefs. He is outspoken on his beliefs on race despite his racial background and experiences. His sister always reminds him of his current status and still Boy Willie refuses to settle with believing in less than what he believes he deserves.

Just like the resolution that occurs from black people who attempt to better themselves, Boy Willie fails to accomplish his goals and thus end up running to another state in order to get away from his past. Like many of his African-Americans he over-reached his goals, and had attempted a crazy plan. It's pretty clear that he was fighting a losing battle, as it is clearly represented through his fight with Sutter's ghost. Unknowingly in the end, he somewhat fulfilled a piece of his goal. He does leave his own imprint in the world when he informs his sister to play the piano otherwise Sutter and him will be back.