Fences by August Wilson is a more complex play than what naturally lies on the surface. Wilson writes a series of controversial themes, metaphors, symbols, and dynamic characters to create the play.
The first major theme is the effect of Troy’s broken childhood home. His father was abusive which forced Troy to adventure out of his own house into adulthood at an early age. Troy finds life challenging and serves a prison sentence for fifteen years. His father made Troy quit school and help on the farm. This makes Troy value work more than family. His lack of a female role model explains the lack of affection towards Rose. Troy behaves like his father by showing little emotion towards his sons and valuing work over his connection with his family. …show more content…
Troy was refused a place to play for the major league baseball team. He faced discrimination by the whole program. Refusing to accept change, Troy denies Cory the chance to play professional football. Troy is afraid of his son facing the same heartache. Act one scene one begins with Troy complaining about whites only being allowed to drive the garbage trucks. “You think only white fellow got sense enough to drive a truck. That ain’t no paper job! Hell, anybody can drive a truck. How come you got all whites driving and the colored lifting?” (Wilson). Troy insists that blacks provide all of the labor force like lifting the trash bags, while whites get the easier jobs such as driving. The frustrated Troy files a complaint which results in Troy being promoted to driver the next day (Instructor). Troy does not possess a driver’s license which is more than likely the reason he was not allowed to drive the garbage truck. Instead, Troy wants to believe the reason is because of race, not ability to drive. Troy struggles with accepting the steps being made towards racial …show more content…
He is in and out of jail because of his mental handicap. Constantly paying the bail, Troy feels no sympathy towards his brother. Troy accidently signs away his brother to an asylum due to illiteracy. This is a way of showing Troy’s pride. He is too prideful to admit his incapability to read in order to gain his brother back from the government. Instead, Troy uses Gabriel’s checks to buy a house. Gabriel always seeks feeling close to Troy and searches for his approval. Gabriel often compares himself to an angel and constantly tells Troy that the Lord is coming for him. Gabriel has seen St. Peter’s books with Troy’s name on the page. Gabriel only tries to return the guardian role to Troy by telling him about St. Peter’s role (Instructor). Gabriel symbolizes not only the mental damage of war, but also Troy’s pridefulness and lack of
The first major theme is the effect of Troy’s broken childhood home. His father was abusive which forced Troy to adventure out of his own house into adulthood at an early age. Troy finds life challenging and serves a prison sentence for fifteen years. His father made Troy quit school and help on the farm. This makes Troy value work more than family. His lack of a female role model explains the lack of affection towards Rose. Troy behaves like his father by showing little emotion towards his sons and valuing work over his connection with his family. …show more content…
Troy was refused a place to play for the major league baseball team. He faced discrimination by the whole program. Refusing to accept change, Troy denies Cory the chance to play professional football. Troy is afraid of his son facing the same heartache. Act one scene one begins with Troy complaining about whites only being allowed to drive the garbage trucks. “You think only white fellow got sense enough to drive a truck. That ain’t no paper job! Hell, anybody can drive a truck. How come you got all whites driving and the colored lifting?” (Wilson). Troy insists that blacks provide all of the labor force like lifting the trash bags, while whites get the easier jobs such as driving. The frustrated Troy files a complaint which results in Troy being promoted to driver the next day (Instructor). Troy does not possess a driver’s license which is more than likely the reason he was not allowed to drive the garbage truck. Instead, Troy wants to believe the reason is because of race, not ability to drive. Troy struggles with accepting the steps being made towards racial …show more content…
He is in and out of jail because of his mental handicap. Constantly paying the bail, Troy feels no sympathy towards his brother. Troy accidently signs away his brother to an asylum due to illiteracy. This is a way of showing Troy’s pride. He is too prideful to admit his incapability to read in order to gain his brother back from the government. Instead, Troy uses Gabriel’s checks to buy a house. Gabriel always seeks feeling close to Troy and searches for his approval. Gabriel often compares himself to an angel and constantly tells Troy that the Lord is coming for him. Gabriel has seen St. Peter’s books with Troy’s name on the page. Gabriel only tries to return the guardian role to Troy by telling him about St. Peter’s role (Instructor). Gabriel symbolizes not only the mental damage of war, but also Troy’s pridefulness and lack of