The Last Song

The piano is the novel’s most central symbol, charting the emotional trajectory of Ronnie’s relationship with her father, Steve. Initially, it represents their shared passion and deep connection, a world where they communicated through composition and performance. After Steve and Kim’s divorce, however, the instrument becomes a painful symbol of betrayal and estrangement for Ronnie. For her, her father’s abandonment of the family is inextricably linked to his musical pursuits, causing her to reject the piano entirely. Upon arriving in Wrightsville Beach, her immediate declaration, “I’m not going to play the piano for you” (16), establishes the piano as the primary emblem of her anger and emotional barricade. This refusal to play is not just about music; it is a refusal to reconnect with the father she believes abandoned her, directly tying into the themes of forgiveness and art as emotional expression.

As the summer progresses and the truth about the past comes to light, the piano’s symbolic meaning shifts from a source of pain to a vehicle for healing and reconciliation. Ronnie’s gradual return to music parallels her journey of forgiving her father. The transformation culminates in her decision to complete his final piece of music, an act that transcends words and communicates her love and acceptance.