Berniece Prevails Over Boy Willie: The Proper Fate of the Piano Alan Albrecht College

Conflicts of ownership have been around for centuries, including land disputes with Native Americans and still today with the disputes of oil in the Middle East. In the play The Piano Lesson, the main conflict is between the siblings Berniece and Boy Willie who both want possession of their family piano. This piano has been in their family since their great-grandmother was in slavery. It isn’t any ordinary piano; it has carvings in the side of it that shape and tell the history of their family. Boy Willie wants to sell the piano so he can use the money to buy his own land, but Berniece wants to keep it in the family for its sentimental value. Both parties have valid points, but it is easier to see the point of view of Berniece and understand that she has more of a right to the piano. Berniece deserves to keep the piano because it tells the story of their family, Boy Willie can make money another way, and there are no guarantees Boy Willie will profit from the land.

The piano stands for more than just a monetary asset and Berniece realizes this. While Berniece and Boy Willie are having one of their numerous arguments about the piano, Berniece illustrates this point: “Money can't buy what that piano cost. You can't just sell your...