Piano Lesson 7

In Act Two Scene Three, I thought it was very interesting that Boy Willie brought a girl home, Grace. I thought it was very rude of him to do that because it was not his house and Berniece is mad at him anyway. Another thing I thought that was interesting was how much the author brought Grace's ex-boyfriend in. He was only mentioned twice but he had a story that I think the author would have liked to elaborated on but couldn't. Another thing that shocked me was when Lymon kissed Berniece and she kissed him back. I saw it coming but I was hoping it wasn't so, but it was. I think if they get into a relationship its gonna cause some type of bad trouble. I don't know with who, but with a not so good someone.

Madison said...
"I also thought it was kind of funny when Boy Willie brought a girl into the house. I also had the same question about Lymon and Berniece."

Piano Lesson 6

In Act 2 Scene 2 I thought it was very interesting that Avery liked Berniece. I didn't think anything of it until Avery said "You know how I feel about you, Berniece" (66). I honestly didn't see that coming and I think its kind of weird, its adding more to the story but I think its getting more complicated. I think its important that we take in consideration that Berniece is very independent, and I don't think she needs a man in the house. I think she thinks that too. I think the author wants us to keep thinking about who pushed Sutter down the well, because he constantly has Berniece bringing it up. I think its more then just a simple death, I think it has a lot of significance in it.

Madison Said....
"I mentioned the same thing in my blog and but I didn't compare it to today society and I think its interesting that people would think like that. And I agree with that I think it will come up later in the book."

Piano Lesson 5

On part the really striked me was when Wining Boy was trying to sell Lymon his suit and shoes. "You can look at my feet and see we wear the same size. Man, you put on that suit and them shoes and you got something there"(62). I underlined those snippets of the sentences because I thought it showed how much Wining Boy was desperate for money. And I was a little shocked that he sold those to Lymon. This passage tells us that Lymon probably isn't the smartest person, or he gives into his wants easily or that he is easily convinced.


Madison  said...

I had the same feeling when Wining Boy was selling the suit too Lymon, it just didn't seem right. I think I will see if Wining Boy will do anything else too.

Piano Lesson 4

One thing that stood out to me while reading  The Piano Lesson was when Doaker is talking about how they got the piano there and about the train. Towards the end of his speech he says that "the train stays on the track...its going to get where it's going. It might bit be where you going. If it ain't then all you got to do is sit and wait..."(19). And I feel its important because its saying you don't have to do what everyone else is doing. You can stop going with the flow and wait for something else to come and pick you up. I think the author puts that in to hint at Boy Willie, that you don't have to buy land because its there for sale or you don't have to buy all of it.


Madison! said...

So do you think Boy Willie killed him? It sounds like you are on the fence about saying yes and no. And I didn't think about the Sutter's Ghost might be showing up because of the piano, thats a good thought!

Piano Lesson 3

In the Piano Lesson I made a connection because of how they all fought about the piano and who it belongs to. The same thing happened in my family when my Grandpa couldn't decide which kid got the Indian head the my great grandpa carved. It turned into a big fuss, and my Aunt Laurie ended getting it, because we ended up getting the chest. To me I think Lymon is kind of like Kumalo for Cry, the Beloved Country  because  they are both very silent and don't really speak their mind and ask more questions about what they're doing. They always want to find out more.


Madison said...
"I have also been wondering the same thing about how music will fit in to the story. I also think that it was kind of weird the Doaker wanted to be paid, but now that I think about it, I guess he could've been joking."

Piano Lesson 2

A question that popped in my head a lot today was if Boy Willie was the only one who used the n-word? And I think he might be the only one because he isn't very respectful, and I he may not have a very good education. The next thing I noticed that i thought was kind of weird was when Berniece say the ghost and then later Avery had the dream that told him to become a priest. I thought those two things are kind of superstitious and it seemed weird that they both happened in the same scene. I just thought it was weird that there were two of the same type of things. Another question  I had was about the train being called Yellow Dog. The Sutter was supposedly killed because he was pushed into the well by the Yellow Dog. I want to know if they're related or if that was just on accident.

Madison said....
"I thought it was interesting that you noticed that they stayed on the same subject for a couple pages. I hadn't noticed that but you are right, they really do. I agree with the word narcissistic for Boy Willie."

Piano Lesson 1

When I first heard the tittle of the book, I couldn't wait to start it because I was hoping to find a lot about music in it. And once I saw the cover I thought about how this book is gonna be more about just a wide variety of art. When we first started reading my first impression was how different the characters are. All the characters seem to be at different places with there lives and really don't know where there going. But I like that they are all family and it seems like that one way there connected. I really also like the writing style of the book. I think reading stage plays are really fun. One thing I'm concerned about is how the n-word is used in the novel. I feel that if the author wasn't afraid to use it then there will be bad minor words.

Madison said...

I agree with you about the use of the word "nigger". And I like the way you said it was off-putting. You wouldn't think that a novel called /The Piano Lesson/ would have that word.

Tabs in Chapter 32

    In chapter 32 one of the things I tabbed was the rain. "..saw the great heavy cloud,...it will rain"(275), I thought this quote was important because it was answer to one of their problems of not having water. If they would have put buckets out they could be gotten fresh water for the animals and the children. I think it also shows that positive things can be found in the most negative times: hope can be found in the worst of times. I think Alan Paton was also trying to convey the thought the everything is not always bad, it can look bad and scary but actually be good and helpful.
   Another thing I tabbed was the mystery about the sticks, "The white men brought our more sticks and flags from the care and one of them set up a box on three legs"(276). I think this is foreshadowing for another city to be built because when you start a project of building a  store or a building you usually mark out the size and where to dig and everything. I think Alan puts this in the story because he is bringing everything the Kumalo knows to his town, and i think Kumalo will fight for his town.