The Piano Lesson of August Wilson as the Representation of the African Cultural Heritage

Abstract

The heritage of nations has always been a fundamental pillar of the individual’s cultural identity. The twentieth century has a great interest in cultural heritage by means of drama, as it articulates political, social, cultural, and even psychological issues under the umbrella of globalization. Afro-American playwrights have focused on cultural identity, which directly leads to their heritage, as what has been done by Wilson, who exploited his talent in dramatizing the Afro-American people’s lives. Wilson used his play to demonstrate and defend the values and culture in conflict with American and white culture, as well as to demonstrate that Afro-Americans can produce the finest literary writing to enrich American literature. So, heritage is one of the reasons for preserving individuality, as people have no identity if they do not have cultural heritage. The Piano Lesson is looking for acceptance or recognition that African culture is a part of the world’s culture that should be respected. In addition, Wilson encouraged his people to strongly seize their traditions and culture to get their identity as others, and he accomplished his mission.