The Role of Ghosts in August Wilson’s the Piano Lesson
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21271/zjhs.28.6.18Keywords:
August Wilson, Symbolism, the ghosts, identity, African American heritage, traumatic legacy.Abstract
This study explores the role of ghosts in August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, concentrating on how these supernatural elements symbolize the traumatic legacy of slavery and reflect African American heritage. The main problem indicated is the symbolic function of ghosts in the play and their connection to the African American experience, notably in how they represent the ongoing consequence of slavery on familial and cultural identity. Utilizing the close reading approach, the analysis examines the text through the lens of Gothic fiction and African American folklore, unfolding the ghosts as symbols of historical trauma and spiritual continuity. The study finds that the ghosts manifest unresolved historical trauma and embark on the complex struggle between valuing the past and pursuing material advancement. Wilson’s utilization of Gothic elements enhances the play’s exploration of African American history and spirituality, with the ghosts symbolizing the lasting effects of slavery and underscoring the need for reconciliation with the past to achieve personal and familial unity.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Lawend Ikram Mohammed
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