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Aunt Ester in "Gem of the Ocean" The Gem of the Ocean takes place in 1904 in Pittsburgh. It is the ninth part of August Wilsons cycle of dramas, where he speaks about the struggle of black Americans against slavery. The slavery is exposed not only as a physical slavery, but also as emotional one combined with slavery on a government. It forces people to protect themselves, to defeat their ideas and beliefs.
The drama shows us rather the slavery of soul than the slavery of body. The play is a bright description of struggle, defeating the balance between personal dilemmas and the cruelty of modern world. Why Pittsburgh? Wilson was born in Pittsburgh, a kind of a black ghetto for African Americans. It is the embodiment of misunderstanding between the ideals of freedom and the modern white society. In August Wilsons plays the black woman plays an important role the powerful black matriarch equates femininity with strength, resilience, and fortitude (Freeman C. , p. 10) Aunt Ester is a strong mysterious woman.
At almost 300 years of age, Ester is the bridge to spiritual redemption -- in this case, redemption for drifter Citizen Barlow who arrives at 1839 Wylie Avenue with a burden so deep, he wont leave her doorstep until she agrees to cleanse his soul (Donovan, R. J. , p. 1) The story supposes that Aunt Ester is 287 years old. She was born in 1619, when a Dutch ship carrying 20 Africans docked in Jamestown, Va. The little boat is made from the bill of sale that marked her as a slave. (Fanger I. , p. 1) We rather say that she is the symbolic keeper of memories. We can compare her with Berniece in Wilsons The Piano Lesson, because we feel that both dramas have the same ideas although in different interpretations.
Aunt Ester speaks about the mysterious island in the heart of the ocean, the City of Bones this island appeared when black slaves were crossing the ocean in intercontinental trip and didnt survive the voyage. When she speaks about the voyage to this island, it seems that she describes something existing, about something sensible and concrete: the need to transform a people's legacy for the benefit of the generations to come. (Marks P, p. C 01). Aunt Ester is a living symbol; she has the ability to wash the souls and acts as exorcist for troubles souls. She embodies the entire history of African-Americans in America (Fanger I. , p. 1). At the same time, the piano has almost the same meaning as the voyage to mysterious City of Bones.
Berniece also seems to be a matriarch; she assumes the piano as the spiritual link to her history, she is strong wise woman. Still, Wilson doesnt focus much attention on her in The Piano Lesson, leaving an impression of some mystery. The image of the strong black matriarch is frequently invoked in what seems to be a way of combating the unflattering portrayals of women's independence (Freeman C. , p. 111). Nevertheless, August Wilson describes different woman characters. He shows them in different ways, speaking about maternal traditions and social experiences.
For example, Rose Mason doesnt seem to be a matriarch. She is rather the embodiment of kindness, love, maternity and weakness. She is the real woman, although she is not as strong as Berniece with her stoic character and Aunt Ester with her strength and courage. Aunt Ester is described as the timely and the timeless.
She is the link to the past and the matriarchic figure in the present. She is strong and wise, keeping traditions and the history of African Americans. Bibliography: Donovan, R. J. A Review. August Wilson.
The Adventure of Life. [online]. December 22, 2004 web Fanger I. , August Wilson speaks softly (for a revolutionary). from the October 08, 2004 edition. [online] web December 22, 2004 Freeman C. Tech and High Heels in the Global Economy: Women, Work, and Pink-Collar Identities in the Caribbean.
Duke University Press, 2000 Marks, P. The Emancipation Meditation. August Wilson Tackles Slavery in 'Gem of the Ocean' Washington Post. Tuesday, December 7, 2004; Page C 01. [online] web (December 22, 2004)
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Research essay sample on Aunt Ester In Gem Of The Ocean
