The Piano Lesson
WARNING : SPOILERS before for The Paino Lesson .
Netflix ’s new historical dramaThe Piano Lessonfeatures two distinct characters with the word " Boy " at the kickoff of their names , Boy Charles and Boy Willie . Directed by Malcolm Washington , The Piano Lessonis a film adaptation of the play of the same name write by August Wilson , who also write the original play that inspired the Academy Award - winning filmFences . The Piano Lesson’sensemble castis moderate by John David Washington , Samuel L. Jackson , Danielle Deadwyler , and Ray Fisher .
While the cinema and period of play are both deeply frozen in American history , The Piano Lessonis not base on a true storyor true people . The Piano Lessonhas opened up to strong follow-up , make an telling Rotten Tomatoes critic musical score of 90%.The Piano Lessonmarks the feature film directorial entry of Malcolm Washington , the young son of Denzel Washington , who direct his older brother John David Washington in the film . By theend ofThe Piano Lesson , Washington ’s Boy Willie and Deadwyler ’s Berniece are forced to confront the ghosts of their family ’s past .
The Piano Lessonis now streaming only on Netflix .
“Boy” Was A Derogatory Name That Slave Owners Would Call Black Men
They used it to enforce a sense of ownership and authority
In the context ofThe Piano Lesson , " Boy " was a derogatory terminus that slave owners would use for their hard worker during the American full point of bondage . It was intend to solidify a sense of ownership and authority over manlike slaves . Interestingly , Willie continue to be referred to with " Boy " in his name despite being a free valet de chambre . Willie ’s family also refers to Charles as " Boy Charles . “This is arguably a way for Willie to repossess the term " Boy " and enforce it with a new contextwhile keeping the memory of his ancestors alive .
InThe Piano Lesson , Boy Willie and Berniece ’s beginner was initially called Boy Charles by the slave possessor Sutter . Charles was the one who had steal the family heirloom forte-piano in the first place from Sutter , which he was later on brutally murdered for . What ’s clear is that inThe Piano Lesson,“Boy " is used by Willie , Berniece , and several other characters such as Lymon , Doaker , and Wining Boy . If Willie and his kin were still offended by the word , then they would probably not retain to use it .
The Charles Family Keeping “Boy” In Their Names Highlights The Piano Lesson’s Themes About Ancestry & Legacy
Boy Willie & his family reclaim the word for themselves while honoring their ancestors
The characters inThe Piano Lessoncontinue to use " Boy " in their names as a way to reclaim and respect the power of their family ’s legacy , history , and ancestry . Rather than restricting themselves to the Bible that would have been taken from them , like so many other thing in their lives and descent , Boy Willie and his home reframe it for their own use and even squeeze it . By keeping " Boy " in their vocabulary and names inThe Piano Lesson , they acknowledge the continued encroachment that the chronicle of their enslaved antecedent had on their case-by-case and kinsfolk identity .
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In The Piano Lesson , a brother and sis clash over selling a class heirloom piano — he sees it as a track to wealth , while she reckon it as a critical link to their heritage . Their uncle endeavor to mediate , but the dispute reveals deep truth about identity , legacy , and the past .
Image via Netflix
In The Piano Lesson, a brother and sister clash over selling a family heirloom piano—he sees it as a path to wealth, while she views it as a vital link to their heritage. Their uncle tries to mediate, but the conflict reveals deep truths about identity, legacy, and the past.
