Journal #7

This story is getting more and more serious every chapter. At first, this book seemed to be rather universal, not too serious or humorous, but now it is very adult. The tone has shifted considerably. I think the interaction between Lymon and Berniece is significant. I think this shows that Berniece may want to be with Lymon, instead of Avery. The friendship between Boy Willie and Lymon may be ruined if Willie finds out what Lymon did.

From Madison's blog:
Good points. Do you think that Berniece will chose Lymon or Avery? Or even neither? It's strange that the author doesn't pick a side, but rather makes the reader form an opinion themselves.

Piano Lesson #6

This scene, although short, is significant. Similar to the last scene, it further develops characters, specifically Berniece and Avery. Berniece really holds on to the belief that, "the past is present." Although true, she really needs to move on. Her past is controlling her life, and making it unable to see what good things are in front of her. Avery sees this too, when he says, "'Everybody got stones in their passway. You got to step over them or walk around them"(70). I believe that Avery will eventually get to Berniece, and she will say yes to his numerable attempts to propose to her. On a side note, I think it's odd that August Wilson has not set a clear protagonist or antagonist, but rather made the reader choose sides.

from Harrison's Blog:
malnatia said...
Very interesting connection to Maretha, Beniece and her mother. I completely agree. Berniece's stubbornness is really getting in the way. It is causing much conflict that I hope will get resolved soon.

Piano Lesson #5

In this chapter, characters are developed more, especially Sutter's ghost and Wining Boy. When Doaker tells that he too had seen the ghost, it further adds to the realism and believability of the ghost. Sutter's ghost really becomes a character in this book after this chapter. We also see what Wining Boy is like. Throughout this chapter, he is very concerned about money. He tries to sell all of his possessions to make a profit, even if that means using his own family. He seems to be consumed by gambling.

From Olivia's blog:
malnatia said...
Yes, the humor in this scene is a great example of comic relief. It helps take away from the seriousness. Also, it show what the characters are like. You can see that Wining Boy has a sense of humor, but also that he thinks he is experienced when it comes to women. The type of jokes that he delivered show that he is immature.

The Piano Lesson 4

So many things happened in the part we had to read! I enjoyed how many things were explained in this section: mainly the Ghosts of the Yellow Dog, and why the piano is important. I feel like the conflict between Berniece and Boy Willie will be the main conflict for the story. It seems like it already is taking over the majority of the dialogue. Also, I wonder what will happen to the piano. Will Boy Willie find a way to take it out of the house and sell it? Or will Berniece end up keeping it?

Comment of Ross's Blog:
Great insight! What do you think this foreshadowing relates to? Maybe that someone else will die to the Ghost of the Yellow Dog? Or that something else will be happen with the piano?

Piano Lesson 3

The singing in the second "chapter" we read was really effective in setting a tone for the book. Although strange and obnoxious, it put another layer of culture into the book. Almost all of the characters knew the song, showing togetherness with each other. Also, music seems to have an increasingly important effect on the people and the book. I think it to be as a symbol for the family. This could be why Berniece doesn't want to sell the piano: she fears she will lose another part of the family if she does.

From Berit's Blog:
I agree. In the other books we read, some characters were also shown to be less important than others. In Cry some character's weren't named, only like the white man, or Gertrude's son. And in Lord of the Flies how the younger children were grouped together and called the "chillun."

The Piano Lesson #2

I am unsure if Berniece actually saw a ghost, or if she made it up. It seems more likely that she would make it up, doing so would give a valid reason for Boy Willie to leave. However, Doaker says that she doesn't make things up. It's interesting that from the beginning of a book, main characters are being analyzed, and the author makes the reader take a side to trust the character or not.

For Harrison's blog
I agree with your analysis. Especially when you ask why. Maybe the piano has something to do with a ghost or apparition? There have already been reports of two ghosts: the one that supposedly pushed Sutter in, and Sutter himself.

Piano Lesson 1

My first impression of this book was so different than what I had expected. When I read the title, The Piano Lesson I thought of sophistication, and elegance. However, the first pages of the book are almost the complete opposite of that. The language, especially the use of the word "niggers" is off-putting. Also, the characters seem to be unintelligent, repeating the same questions and answers over and over again. Although this takes place in the south, it is more vulgar than the present day south.

malnatia said...
Great insight. I also think that most of the characters aren't too intelligent. Rambling about watermelons ≠ a Yale scholarship.

Cry Journal 9

"...[t]here was a white man sitting still upon a horse. He seemed to be waiting for the car, and with something of a shock, he realized that it was Jarvis" (276). I tabbed this because it made me wonder if the perspective will shift to Jarvis' point of view again.

"...[h]e went out to look at the clouds, for it was exciting to see them after weeks of pitiless sun" (275). THis is important, because it describes rain as hopeful, unlike what rain usually brings, sorry and sadness.