The role of music in drama
According to August Wilson, music plays a significant role in the lives of the characters. Without a song or piano beats, the characters were stuck in problems that no one was able to solve. However, when the music is played, they would find some ways in which they solve the problems. There are a few moments in which the claim is proven right. For example, slaves would discover music as a way to communicate with their ancestors. While in plantation, the slaves would sing to communicate with other slaves in the same ranch as well as to converse with their ancestors. Singing was a way to honor the dead and thus revived the spirits of the slaves who died. Moreover, since Willie’s family Berneice and Doaker are descendants of the slave utilized the importance of music. In prison, life was harsh and sometimes unbearable to live. The author shows this through Lymon, Winning Boy, Boy Willie, and Doaker, who all were suffering in the Parchman farm based in prison. To reduce the pain of suffering, the men would sing and whistle “Berta, Berta” song with so much passion while working. The technique would help them forget their troubles and painful past for a while. Another instance where the claim proves try was when Berniece and her brother Boy Willie are having a heated argument about selling the piano to buy a piece of land. The ghost of Sutter raid the house, and when the keyboard is played, it disappears. Thus the music, in this case, is a way to communicate with the ancestors as well as solve problems which seems difficult for the characters.
Nevertheless, the music has a traditional effect on the play. Through playing the classic song of the African Americans, such as the work songs, the blues, journey songs, and the boogie-woogie, the music brings back the historical legacy of this culture. That is every music that plays when I do. It seems to document a specific memory of the past. For example, the Doaker’s railroad song seems to consist of the places one passed through the south,
Furthermore, the music happened whenever it did not only to improve the memory of the characters but also to reduce stress. Every time Berniece felt like the rest of the family was putting a load on her head, she would play the piano to relieve the pressure. Also, when the ghost of Sutter tormented Maretha is was calmed by the rhythm of piano and leave the house. Besides, the music improved the motivation of the slaves on the farm of Parchman. Songs that have fast beats encourage the workers to work harder. That is when one group is asked to sing while the other is asked to sing as it works, the not singing group tends to get tired first and work less compared to the working group. Thus, the slaves found music as a technique to work more hard.
Nonetheless, music has a vital role regarding the rest of the drama, such as communication, the emotional heart of the actors. For instance, Doaker Charles would sing to express the pain the slaves used to persevere under the hands of the whites. Also, the music passes more precise feelings, thoughts, and wishes of the characters more than words of the mouth. Apart from communication, music in the play of the piano lesson represent as the symbol of the culture, specifically African American.