Day 1

The Piano Lesson Lesson Plan

Discussion of Thought Questions

  1. 1

    What is the main tension or conflict set up in this first scene? What are other more minor sources of conflict in the play?

    The main conflict set up in the first scene is that Boy Willie wants to sell the piano to buy Sutter’s land, but Berniece’s sentimental attachment to the piano will never let that happen. Other sources of tension are the presence of the ghost in the house, the trauma that the family endured through slavery, and Berniece’s lingering grief over her husband and refusal to marry Avery.

  2. 2

    Why is Boy Willie so intent on selling the piano and buying land?

    Boy Willie is intent on buying land because he believes owning his own land will finally allow...

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