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Summary and Study Guide

August Wilson’s play Fences premiered in 1985 at the Yale Repertory Theatre and was published the following year. It opened on Broadway in 1987 with James Earl Jones in the role of Troy. It was the third play to premiere of Wilson’s Century Cycle, although it is the sixth play chronologically. The Century Cycle, also known as the Pittsburgh Cycle, consists of 10 plays, one set in each decade of the 20th century. Each play has an all-Black (or nearly all-Black) cast and focuses on the historical evolution of the experience of African Americans. Of the 10 plays, nine take place in Pittsburgh, and one ( Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom , 1984) is set in Chicago. Wilson won his first Pulitzer for Fences as well as a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award. The 2010 Broadway revival featured Denzel Washington as Troy and Viola Davis as Rose , roles they reprised in the 2016 Academy Award-winning film adaptation of the play.

Fences is set in 1957, 10 years after Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play Major League Baseball and in the midst of the civil rights movement in the United States. Schools had only been legally desegregated since 1955, and in 1957, the Little Rock Nine were not allowed to integrate into a White school until President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent federal troops to accompany them. Rosa Parks’ protest and the lynching of Emmett Till occurred in 1955. The Civil Rights Act was signed into law in 1957, making it federally illegal to suppress voter rights, but for African Americans, opportunities for advancement remained scarce. Discrimination was still legal in employment and housing, and schools in Black areas were much less funded than White schools, making it very difficult for African Americans to receive a proper education and escape poverty.

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Plot Summary

Troy Maxson was once a great player in the Negro baseball leagues, but he was not allowed to join the major leagues because he was Black. He left home when he was 14 after a confrontation with his abusive father. Troy fathered his first son, Lyons , and then spent 15 years in prison after a killing someone during a robbery. When the play opens in 1957, Troy is 53 years old and working as a garbage collector. He has just recently caused a stir at work by asking why Black men are not allowed to drive the trucks and filing a complaint with the union. Troy’s wife, Rose, informs Troy that their son, Cory , has caught the eye of a college football recruiter, but Troy is adamant that his son will not endure the same heartbreak that he did by attempting to play professional sports. Troy feels like a failure because at 53, he was only able to afford a house because his brother, Gabriel , received money after he was injured and brain-damaged fighting in World War II. Gabriel believes wholeheartedly that he is the angel Gabriel, carrying a trumpet that he expects to need one day.

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Dissatisfied with his settled life, Troy begins an affair with a woman whom he eventually impregnates. Additionally, Troy commits Gabriel to a hospital, something he has been resisting for years. Troy’s mistress dies in childbirth and leaves Troy to raise their daughter with a wife who is devastated by Troy’s betrayal. Troy refuses to speak to the recruiter or allow Cory to play football, so Cory graduates from high school with bleak prospects and no chance to go to college. Cory finally challenges his father, and the violent confrontation ends with Cory leaving home. The final scene takes place in 1965 on the day of Troy’s funeral. Cory returns home, now a colonel in the Marines, and meets his half-sister for the first time since she was an infant. The family is free of Troy, but Cory learns that his father is a part of him that he can never escape. Gabriel blows his horn to open the gates of heaven so Troy can finally rest.

Fences addresses the struggles of a Black father who feels cheated by life because racism and segregation have kept him from reaching his full potential. The play remains Wilson’s best-known work and is partially autobiographical. It is about the inheritance of generational trauma and the way one damaged Black man tries not to follow in his abusive father’s footsteps, only to inflict the same abuse and damage on his son. It is also about the choice to break the cycle in an evolving world, and the potential of one generation to rise above the last. The play shows that growth and change take time but are possible. 

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Race, Fences, and Family in Fences by August Wilson

Despite the lack of clear answers, authors consistently find solace in repeatedly addressing these issues of race, fences and family in “Fences,” his controversial play.

Introduction : Race, Fences, and Family in “Fences”

Table of Contents

Despite the lack of clear answers, authors consistently find solace in repeatedly addressing these issues of race, fences and family in “Fences,” his controversial play. The play not only illustrates racial discrimination against the backdrop of shaping or shattering a person’s entire life but also portrays female vulnerabilities and the struggles to maintain and preserve a family. Wilson endeavors to present the harsh reality of black lives in the United States through characters like Troy, Bono, and Cory.

Within the context of racial discrimination, broken families, and strained ties, conflicts arise between family members, particularly between husband and wife and son and father. The family becomes perplexed because, as stated in the play, “Everybody got different fathers and mothers” (Wilson 2030). This confusion is evident in Rose, the family’s mainstay, who expresses her bewilderment, stating that she cannot discern “who is who” within her home (2030). Similarly, Troy seeks acknowledgment as the head of the family, feeling overlooked by his son and wife. While there are other themes presented in the play, the exploration of race, fences, and family in “Fences” reveals patriarchal conflicts, racial discrimination, and their profound impacts. The use of the metaphorical “fence” symbolizes the effort to keep the family united despite challenges.

  Themes of Race, Fences, and Family in “Fences”

Change is often considered the spice of life, but certain souls resist it out of fear that their existence will undergo a transformative shift, as depicted in the themes of race, fences, and family in “Fences.” This resistance may be rooted in the apprehension that change could challenge their dominance or lower their status. Troy, the patriarch of the Maxson family in “Fences,” exemplifies this reluctance to embrace change.

The play explores various interpretations of father-son relations, particularly the tumultuous dynamic between Troy and Cory, especially regarding Cory’s aspirations for a career in sports. Despite Cory securing a place on the school soccer team and the coach planning to visit their home, Troy, described as a “giant black nigger” by Bono, insists on steering his son towards a more practical career, such as joining A&P or acquiring a skill. Troy, drawing from his own experiences, believes that blacks have limited prospects in sports, and he dismisses Cory’s dreams.

When Cory attempts to challenge his father’s perspective or inform him about the changing times, Troy responds harshly, labeling him a fool. Troy’s stubbornness becomes evident when he asserts that “The colored guy got to be twice as good as he gets on the team” (2014). However, Cory sees a world evolving rapidly, and tensions escalate between father and son. Troy bluntly declares, “The white man ain’t gonna let you get nowhere with that football noway” (2020), but Cory rejects his father’s wisdom, leading to strained relations.

The power struggle between father and son is palpable, with Troy reluctant to relinquish his position, or it could be interpreted as a father’s stubborn concern for his son’s career. The themes of race, fences, and family in “Fences” vividly portray these complexities and conflicts within familial relationships.

Interwoven Themes of Race, Fences, and Family in “Fences”

The family is often considered the nucleus of society, but when a political class suppresses the underdog class, it profoundly impacts the family structure of the marginalized, as exemplified in various themes of race, fences, and family in “Fences.” Centuries of suppression have resulted in fractures within African-American families, manifested in strained relations, complaints of racial discrimination, and career obstacles, as depicted in the play.

August Wilson weaves the character of Troy by delving into his lineage, emphasizing that the struggle is not isolated to one individual but extends to the entire community and, ultimately, the family. Troy’s career as a garbageman symbolizes the limited opportunities available, where even a promotion to a driver’s position is deemed unacceptable. While the play suggests that age impedes Troy’s promotion, Wilson underscores this in the opening line of his song, “When the sins of our fathers visit us” (1997), suggesting a perpetuation of conditions from one generation to the next, although Cory strives to break this cycle.

Discrimination is ingrained even within the characters’ minds, as evidenced by Bono’s astonishment about indoor toilets, stating, “I thought only white folks had inside toilets and things” (2001). This reflects the dismal living conditions African Americans endured during the time Wilson wrote “Fences,” highlighting their plight. Wilson’s irony extends beyond race; he condemns institutional exploitation, revealing the whites’ supremacy not only in sports but also in banks, laws, and authorities. The play underscores the struggles faced by a poor garbageman attempting to secure a promotion to a driver’s position, illustrating how tactics employed by the upper class perpetuate poverty.

The cycle of poverty leads to the disintegration of families, a theme poignantly portrayed in the play. Despite these challenges, the head of the family bears the responsibility to strive for family unity, even in the face of societal injustices.

Family and Themes of Race, Fences, and Family in “Fences”

In “Fences,” the duty of preserving family unity is shouldered by Rose. Instinctively, she endeavors to keep her family connected by urging Troy and Cory to build a fence. August Wilson utilizes the metaphor of the fence to convey the idea that it is a woman’s responsibility to safeguard her household from both external and internal threats.

Despite Rose’s efforts, external threats manifest in Troy’s infidelity as he admits to “eye all the women” and claims, “I don’t miss nothing” (1999). Unaware of Troy’s actions, Rose is convinced that she is the one holding the home together. Subconsciously, she senses an impending crisis, prompting her to request Troy to build the fence. However, Troy remains oblivious to the deeper meaning behind Rose’s request, assuming it is solely about keeping the family secure.

Only a third party, like Bono, comprehends the situation, as he is aware of Troy’s involvement with Alberta. Bono articulates, “”Some people build fences to keep people [like Alberta] out … .and other people build fences to keep people [like Troy] in” (2027). Troy, however, fails to grasp the significance of Bono’s philosophy. His preoccupations revolve around his pursuit of promotion, financial concerns, and his relationship with Alberta. He leaves the responsibility of maintaining family unity to Rose, providing him the freedom to indulge in life’s pleasures.

Recognizing the importance of imparting family values to Cory, Rose encourages him to join Troy in building the fence. She also persuades Cory to attend Troy’s funeral, emphasizing his future role as the head of the family. Toward the play’s conclusion, Troy unconsciously reveals his realization in a monologue, stating, “I am gonna build me a fence around what belongs to me” (2036). This moment serves as his epiphany regarding the true purpose of building the fence. Unfortunately, this revelation comes too late, as he is unable to fulfill this objective in the earthly realm.

Conclusion : Race, Fences, and Family in “Fences”

While race, fences, and family are indeed prominent themes in “Fences,” they serve as major thematic strands that interweave to depict the life and racial discrimination experienced by African Americans in their social environment, with profound ramifications on their home lives. August Wilson skillfully portrays the consequences faced by impoverished households due to external threats resulting from racial segregation.

The play delves into the conflicts that arise among family members due to misunderstandings and differing perspectives on both external and internal changes. The persistent discord between Troy and Cory, particularly regarding Cory’s career choices and their perspectives on Troy’s evolving circumstances, exemplifies this thematic complexity. While the impact of racial discrimination on the lowly position and mindset of African Americans is acknowledged, Wilson also highlights a failure to comprehend the social dynamics that could facilitate individual improvement.

Troy’s character serves as a prime example of someone who lacks an understanding of the societal complexities that individuals like Cory can perceive. As houses begin to deteriorate over time, it becomes evident that women are the ones who step forward to preserve family unity. Rose, in particular, fulfills this role effectively by urging Troy to build a fence at home.

Beyond the specific racial context, Wilson skillfully touches on universal themes of domestic issues, racial animosity, and patriarchal conflicts. It is this multifaceted exploration of human experiences that elevates “Fences” to the status of a masterpiece, resonating with audiences on a broader and more profound level.

Works Cited: Race, Fences, and Family in “Fences”

  • Wilson, August. “Fences.” An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Writing . Ed. Kennedy X. J. & Dana Gioia. 3rd ed. Vol. 10. New York: Pearson Longman, 2007. 1966-2035. Print.

Relevant Questions about Race, Fences, and Family in “Fences”

  • How does the interplay between race, fences, and family in “Fences” contribute to the characters’ experiences and relationships, and what insights does the play offer into the African American struggle for equality during the 1950s?
  • In “Fences,” how does the theme of race, fences, and family shape the character of Troy Maxson and his choices, and what does it reveal about the delicate balance between personal aspirations and familial responsibilities within the African American community?
  • Within the context of “Fences,” how do the themes of race, fences, and family intersect to illustrate the challenges faced by African Americans in pursuing their dreams and aspirations within a racially segregated society, and what social commentary does the play provide on these themes?

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by August Wilson

Fences essay questions.

Why does Gabriel carry a trumpet around his neck?

Because of a head injury, Gabriel believes that he is the angel Gabriel and that he is able to open the gates of heaven with his trumpet. While the audience knows that this is not literally true, the final scene shows that Gabe becomes the play's figure of redemption. He unsuccessfully tries to blow his trumpet and when that does not work, dances his brother into heaven. Troy does not have the play's last word; instead, it is the fool, the representation of innocence, that finally offers Troy deliverance.

Why is the setting of the play important?

The setting of the play is important because the 1950's represents a time of great upheaval in race relations in the United States. Troy Maxson represents a previous generation that now watches the world move on around them. They have been maligned by white transgression in the past and yet have been able to procure a small portion of the country's booming wealth for themselves. Troy dies, however, in 1965, the year of the greatest legislative triumph of the Civil Rights era. He is not able to enjoy the victory that he helped bring about.

Why is Troy Maxson considered an "everyman" character?

Troy Maxson is a character of universal type. Though his life is dictated by the particulars of the African American experience of the early twentieth century, his failings as a man as well as his small measures of redemption are applicable to all people. Wilson deftly creates a character who is a flawed and identifiable hero, through his responsibilities to family and his inabilities to live up to his own high expectations. His battles with his sons resonate across racial and cultural lines as universal human experiences.

Explain the play's principal metaphor of the fence.

Jim Bono best sums up the play's overarching metaphor by explaining to Troy, "Some people build fences to keep people out…and other people build fences to keep people in.” Both Troy and Rose Maxson attempt to build emotional fences throughout the play. Rose attempts to keep her family within her fence by being a good and faithful wife. Troy is more concerned with an emotional fence that never permits his sons to understand his love for them.

Is Rose's character an example of feminism or an example of the repressed role of women in society?

Scholars have been divided on Rose's role in the play. Some have seen Rose as the prototypical 1950s housewife, disappearing into her husband and leaving no room for her own self to flourish. Others, however, have seen Rose as occupying a feminist position; she does remain a housewife and mother but only because she makes the choice for herself. No one forces motherhood on her. She admits that when Troy takes pieces of her, it is because she gives those pieces out of her own choice. But then, what other choice does she have?

Discuss the role of the blues in Fences .

Troy's blues song for his dog, Old Blue, is an example of Wilson's use of blues music in the play. Troy takes on the role of an archetypal blues character who has seen his world taken away from him for his transgressions. The blues also acts as a form of aural tradition. Cory and Raynell sing Troy's blues song as they bury him, representing pieces of Troy that pass down through generations.

Discuss the meaning of baseball in the play.

Troy uses baseball as a metaphor for his own life, yet the audience comes to understand that the game Troy plays is not necessarily the one in which he sees himself. Troy remembers himself as a star in the Negro Leagues, but he was never given a chance to prove himself. His relationship with Alberta, and the selfishness that it inculcates in him, is his chance to please himself in a way that he never could while playing baseball. Troy, however, fails at his own game. His failures in his relationships with his wife and son represent two strikes in his life. The inevitability of his death is his third and final strike.

What traits make Troy Maxson an unlikable protagonist?

Troy is seen as an unsympathetic character for much of the play because of the emotional fence he builds to keep his sons and wife from seeing and accepting his underlying love for them. This is best observed when Cory asks Troy why Troy does not like him. Instead of offering a reassuring remark, Troy shames his son by telling him that there is no law that says he must like him. The fence that Troy puts up to keep his sons from accepting him also acts as a fence to keep the audience from sympathizing with Troy.

What traits make Troy Maxson a redeemed protagonist?

For all of his faults, Troy Maxson is ultimately redeemed. This is accomplished through the small glimpses of care and affection that his children remember in the play's final scene. Raynell tells Cory that Troy always called her room "Cory's room" and that he never threw out Cory's football equipment. They close the play by singing Troy's old blues song about his dog. It is inevitable that fathers pass on pieces of themselves to their children. Through this process, Troy becomes a redeemed character and a flawed hero, but a hero nevertheless.

Discuss the cycle of father-son relationships in the play.

In the play, sons become outraged at the actions of their fathers. This outrage turns into hate, and yet the sons cannot help but bear a resemblance to their fathers. For Troy, this happens when he assaults Cory and kicks him out of the house. Troy believes that he is protecting Cory from a life of failure in football, yet Troy has become the same man that his father had been. The final scene sees Cory struggling with this same dynamic. He seeks to reject his father, but he cannot completely leave Troy - he carries his memory, influence, and song with him.

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Fences Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Fences is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Why does Troy refuse to accept Lyon's repayment of the loan?

Troy naturally assumes that Lyons will soon be back for another "loan", it's a bit of a habit for Lyons to come to his father for money. Thus, to prove his point, Troy tells Lyons to put the money in the bank, so he can just go and take it out...

Discuss your thoughts on Cory intial decision not to attend Troys funeral. Why did he feel this way ? Do you agree?

I was actually surprised that Cory traveled home for the funeral, and yet, he decided not to attend. On one hand, we can consider the fact that Cory's last fight with his father and the fact they never came to terms weighed heavily on Cory... it's...

What can you infer about Cory’s character based on his responses?

We can infer by Corey's responses that he respects his father.

Study Guide for Fences

Fences study guide contains a biography of August Wilson, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

  • About Fences
  • Fences Summary
  • Character List

Essays for Fences

Fences essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Fences by August Wilson.

  • The Importance of Dreams
  • The Significance of Songs in August Wilson's Fences
  • Death and Baseball: August Wilson's Fences
  • Rebuilding Relationships in Fences
  • The Apple and the Tree: Family Ties in The Namesake and Fences

Lesson Plan for Fences

  • About the Author
  • Study Objectives
  • Common Core Standards
  • Introduction to Fences
  • Relationship to Other Books
  • Bringing in Technology
  • Notes to the Teacher
  • Related Links
  • Fences Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Fences

  • Introduction
  • Productions
  • Cast and characters
  • Awards and nominations

conclusion for fences essay

Home / Essay Samples / Entertainment / Fences / Fences: Film Evaluation

Fences: Film Evaluation

  • Category: Entertainment
  • Topic: Fences , Movie Review

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