The Piano ending explained

What happens

Stewart lets Ada leave with Baines and Flora. At sea she has the piano thrown overboard, lets the rope drag her down with it, then frees herself and rises. In Nelson she plays, teaches, and starts to speak.

The last image

Ada imagines the piano resting at the bottom of the sea, and herself floating above it.

Two readings

1 · Death or survivalShe briefly chooses to drown, then chooses to live.

2 · Old silence, new voiceThe piano sinks with her old silence, and speaking begins.

What it says

Ada finally decides for herself, after being bought, traded and claimed. She keeps her music but lets go of the piano that bound her. The film ends on survival and self-determination, not simple romance.