The Piano Literary Elements

The Piano Literary Elements

Director

Jane Campion

Leading Actors/Actresses

Holly Hunter, Anna Paquin, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill

Supporting Actors/Actresses

Kerry Walker, Tungia Baker, Ian Mune, Genevieve Lemon

Genre

Drama

Language

English

Awards

Palm d'Or, 3 Oscars, 1 Golden Globe

Date of Release

May 19th, 1993

Producer

Jan Chapman

Setting and Context

New Zealand, mid-1800's

Narrator and Point of View

For the most part from the POV of Ada, a mute piano player

Tone and Mood

A very dramatic, noir mood, mysterious and compelling.

Protagonist and Antagonist

Protagonist is Ada, antagonist could be seen as Alisdair Stewart

Major Conflict

Ada is sent to New Zealand to marry Alisdair in an arranged marriage, but falls in love with his handsome friend Baines instead, causing conflict when Alisdair begins to suspect the affair.

Climax

Alisdair, in a fit of jealous rage after reading a love letter from Ada to Baines, cuts off her finger so she can never play the piano again. He sends the finger to Baines, who swears he has never had an affair with her.

Foreshadowing

When Baines asks Ada to give him piano lessons, he leans closer, as well as doing other romantic gestures, indicating he has a greater interest in her than the piano itself.

Understatement

Baines lies to Alisdair about his relationship with Ada, claiming they never did anything romantic, a clear understatement as they had intercourse several times in private.

Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques

The lighting of the film is very subtle; many scenes take place in more dark, unlit lighting, contributing to the movie's ambiguous tone.

Allusions

No significant instances.

Paradox

No significant instances of paradoxes.

Parallelism

The Piano can be compared to other drama works later, such as Black Swan and in that they both have a deep connection with music and other artistic forms that turns violent.

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