An analysis of the two female characters in the book, “The Piano” by Jane Campion and Kate Pullinger.
The author of the paper shows how the book “The Piano” by Jane Campion and Kate Pullinger is a remarkable tale about love, oppression and release from that oppression. He shows how these themes are conveyed through the interaction of Ada and Flora with the male characters of the piece as well as through the settings. This paper explores the complexities of these two women as they try to seek happiness in a situation they have little control over.
“Ada’s imprisonment extends to her piano. The piano becomes her vehicle of communication. When she is angry or feeling passionate, the music that elicits from the piano as her fingers strike the keys, reflects her emotions. The piano also becomes her prison because she becomes dependent on it to communicate. When the piano is left on the beach she feels a sense of loss and restlessness. Baines is also able to use to as a means of blackmail. When she hides her letter to Baines in the piano key and gets Flora to deliver it, she is in effect sacrificing a part of herself by sacrificing a part of her beloved piano in order to courier the message. When Stewart finds out about the letter, he cuts off one of her fingers, in an effort to silence her. She cannot play the type of music she had previously played with ten fingers with nine fingers now. Stewart knows the piano is her vehicle to communicate and delivers his punishment of her infidelity with a cold heart.”