The Piano Lesson essay topics

1. How does Wilson use the motif of haunting to develop an important theme?
2. How does Wilson use the motif of ownership to develop an important theme?
3. How does Wilson use the symbol of the piano to develop an important theme?
4. What does Boy Willie symbolize and how does that symbol develop an important theme?
5. What does Maretha symbolize and how does that symbol develop an important theme?
6. What does Berniece’s relationship with Maretha symbolize?
7. How does the conflict between Berniece and Boy Willie over Maretha develop an important theme?
8. How does the conflict between Berniece and Boy Willie over the piano develop an important theme?
9. How does the contrast between Boy Willie’s and Avery’s attitudes about white people develop an important theme?
10. How does the contrast between Boy Willie’s and Avery’s attitudes about power develop an important theme?
11. How does Wilson express his theme on the American Dream through conflict, characterization, symbolism, motif or some other device?
12. How does Wilson express his theme on work/craft/labor through conflict, characterization, symbolism, motif or some other device?
13. What important theme is embodied in one of Boy Willie’s “soliloquies” in Act 2 scene 5?
14. How does Wilson use the motif of the epithet nigger to develop an important theme?