Wilson uses Sutter's ghost throughout The Piano Lesson to foreshadow the climax of the play. Sutter, who owned Boy Willie's family during slavery, does not want the family's piano to leave their home. His ghost appears whenever the piano is in danger of being removed or sold. This builds anticipation in the audience for Sutter's final appearance in the last scene, mirroring Chekhov's principle that foreshadowed elements must pay off. Boy Willie is determined to sell the piano to buy the land his family once worked on as slaves, creating high stakes. He hopes this will allow his family future generations to own property, as his ancestors did not.