The Piano

            The Piano shares a love triangle story that evolves in an unexpected way. The protagonist, Ada, moves to New Zealand to meet her husband through an arranged marriage by her father. She is immediately upset with her new husband, Stewart, for leaving her piano at the beach. Stewart's friend Baines sympathizes with Ada and helps take her to the beach so she can play her piano. As Baines watches her play, Flora is dancing on the beach, and we see that Baines understands just how important the piano is to Ada.

Shortly thereafter, Baines asks Stewart if he can have the piano in trade of something else. Stewart agrees that Baines can have the piano despite Ada's feelings. So, Baines retrieves the piano and then decides he wants to take music lessons from Ada. From this moment on, Baines and Ada's relationship grows from one out of manipulation and power to one of passion.

Unwilling, Ada helps Baines in what she believes to be piano lessons. Quickly she discovers Baines wants Ada to buy back the piano key by key if she submits to whatever Baines wants in return. She surrenders to the scheme, and little by little, they seduce one another. Simple acts of sexual submission build into more erotic and intense acts. Finally, Baines decides they can't continue on. He has fallen in love with her and continuing on with her submitting to him makes her a "whore" and he "wretched."

Ada leaves Baines home, but realizes she has feelings for Baines. When go back to Baines, it is on her terms. No schemes, only pure passion.

The definition of rape according to Merriam-Webster dictionary means to force (someone) to have sex with you by using violence or the threat of violence. The archaic meaning is to seize and take away by force. I do not think Baines raped Ada in the way we think of criminal rape. However, I believe he was using the piano as a weapon to control her and get what he wanted. In the end, it turned into a more loving scenario.