“The Piano”

In “The Piano,” the author uses imagery to reflect the content of the story.  The piano that Oliveira family treasure so much because it has been passed down from generation to generation and has stayed with the family and the family only.  This piano is described immensely throughout the story.  We get to sense like the piano is right in front of us, learning lots of details.  Not only is the piano in plain sight for us, but the author also uses imagery to explain how much this piano means to the family.  The author uses conscious choices in how he portrays these images, showing just how much the piano actually means.  Because of the fact that the father is willing to give up that family treasure, he will be accepting another into the family instead.  By giving up the piano, Sara, his daughter, will be able to have her room ready for her and soon to be husband.  Machado uses imagery to show the audience how much the piano means to the family, but also how worth it it is to get rid of it to make Sara, and the rest of the family happy.