Ingenuity at Its Finest: ‘About Elizabeth Eliza’s Piano’

In Lucretia P. Hale’s short story, we learn that, for the Peterkin family, the position of a piano invites serious thoughts about efficiency.

The baby grand piano is in the parlor, but the setup is far more optimal than in Elizabeth Eliza Peterkin's home. Courtesy of Linnea Key Realty

From the invention of paper to that of the telephone, man’s ingenuity has shown throughout the centuries. Nevertheless, it’s often in the small moments of seemingly little consequence that ingenuity shines brightest and proves most important.

In her short story “About Elizabeth Eliza’s Piano,” Lucretia P. Hale wrote about the joys and humorous trials of human ingenuity. Yet she did so in such a way that comically demonstrated that, though ingenuity may be at its finest, it may not be at its simplest.

The Peterkins decide to buy Elizabeth Eliza a piano, so that she can take lessons. When the piano arrives, they decide that the perfect place to put it is in front of the parlor window.

"Chopin Playing the Piano in Prince Radziwill's Salon," 1887, by Henryk Siemiradski. Elizabeth Eliza's piano isn't as accessible as this one. Public Domain

However, after the carters bring the piano in and leave, the Peterkins discover that the piano had been placed in front of the parlor window incorrectly. Rather than placing the piano with the keyboard facing inwards, they placed the piano in front of the window with the keyboard facing the window.

The family is puzzled and upset. If Elizabeth Eliza cannot reach the keys, she cannot play the piano.

Ingenuity at Its Finest

Nevertheless, the Peterkin family’s ingenuity isn’t hampered this conundrum. Solomon John realizes that Elizabeth Eliza can, in fact, still play the piano. All they have to do is open the window and place a stool outside on the piazza. Then Elizabeth Eliza can reach in the window and play the piano from outside.

The family rejoices at such an ingenious thought and proceeds with the experiment. The idea works wonderfully. Moreover, they are all impressed by the wonderful sight of “Elizabeth Eliza playing on the piano, while she sits on the piazza, with the honeysuckle vines behind her.”

They also discover that this ingenious situation allows for wonderful nights outside on the piazza. While Mr. Peterkin dozes inside, the rest of the family sit outside with Elizabeth Eliza as she plays at the window.

The Peterkins thoroughly enjoy this charming set up all summer. However, the fall weather soon comes and puts a damper on their solution.

The cold weather discourages the rest of the family from sitting on the piazza and only allows Elizabeth Eliza to practice in the mornings. Thus, the cold weather ends the family’s nightly serenades.

Yet their situation may not be hopeless after all, for Elizabeth Eliza conveys their difficulties to the lady from Philadelphia. And, in turn, this wise woman conveys an ingenious idea to Elizabeth Eliza.

Through this extremely humorous story, Hale showed that, though dealing with an ordinary situation, the Peterkins demonstrate ingenuity at its finest. They see a problem and find a remarkable solution, even if it’s not the best one.

Just add some honeysuckle vines, a stool, and Elizabeth Eliza playing piano through the window, and you'll have quite the scene. Dreamstime/TNS

The Peterkins find immense joy through their ingenuity. As Ayn Rand says in “Atlas Shrugged & The Fountainhead,” “the ingenuity of his mind is his noblest and most joyous power.” Thus, human ingenuity should be encouraged, especially in the simplest things. For ingenuity brings immense joy whether it be at its finest or not.

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