Event

Fences

Fences by August Wilson presents a slice-of-life in a black tenement in Pittsburgh. The play is set in the late 1950s through 1965. The main character, Troy Maxson is a garbage collector who has taken great price in keeping his family together and providing for them.

Troys rebellion and frustration set the tone for the play as he struggles for fairness in society, which seems to offer none. In his struggle he builds barriers between himself and his family. Troy also wrestles with the idea of death and claims that he sees death as nothing but a fastball, something he can handle. The baseball metaphor is used in relation to death throughout the play.

Troy had a son named Cory and the relationship between them becomes strained. Strong feeling of pride and independence on both sides complicates their relationship. Troy was also married to a beautiful woman named Rose. Troy was not a flawless protagonist, in that his relationship with his wife, Rose is challenged at every turn. Eventually, his sexual infidelity and subsequent child by another women (which Rose cares for) the marriage was destroyed.

All the ironies in the play, Troy argued for blacks to drive the garbage trucks but he doesnt know how to drive or have a license. By the end of Fences every character accepts Raynell (Troys daughter) and Cory at the U.S. Marines and Troy died, the only free person is Raynell who is the hope for the future.

Fences is unique to the plight of African Americans. The father-son and husband-wife relationships cross across unique barriers.