The Piano Lesson Journal 1

   The first thing that really interested me in The Piano Lesson appeared in the setting description at the beginning of Scene 1: "The dawn is beginning to announce itself, but there is something in the air that belongs to the night.  A stillness that is a portent, a gathering, a coming together of something akin to a storm" (1).  The quotation begins with personification when it says "the air that belongs to the night."  I think this makes the night seem more powerful and almost oppressive and dictating.  On the other hand, the second half of the quote seems to be foreshadowing a significant event to come later in the book.  Key words include "stillness," "coming together," "akin," "storm," and most importantly is "portent."
    Another detail that I found interesting on the first page of the book was the descriptions of Doaker and Boy Willie.  Doaker is Boy Willie's uncle; however, the description of the two relatives makes them seem completely opposite.  Doaker is tall and thin with severe features, and Boy Willie is impulsive and talkative with an infectious grin.  I wonder if these differences continue on into the whole of their personalities and their beliefs. 

Comment:
I agree about the story of the truck being slightly extensive and so far not serving much of a point. I think that maybe the story will continue on so that we can learn more about the past of Boy Willie and Lymon, including how they got the truck and why they have so many watermelons to sell. Also, about the relationships, I feel like something about the importance or significance of family could develop into a theme later in the book.