Merriam-Webster dictionary defines conflict as the “the opposition of persons or forces.” Like many stories, Fences incorporates conflict to help bring the story to life. Fences is a 1950s play written by August Wilson. The story follows the life of a man named Troy Maxson and the viewers watch as he grows through multiple trials and tribulations. Most evident in the narrative is the many conflicts that we get introduced to. The three main problems that he faces is the conflict between himself, the 1950s environment, and the other characters in the play.
While there are other characters, it is clear that Troy Maxson is the protagonist of the play. His actions drive the story and ultimately keep it going. He has many good qualities about himself, …show more content…
While he always believed what he was doing was right, it’s evident that his actions hurt many of the characters. One of the biggest examples of this is his relationship with his son. At the beginning of the play, it seems like Cory is really trying to be like his father. It is even stated by Troy’s wife that his son is “just trying to be like you [Troy] with the sports.” This is very ironic considering sports is the issue that tears the apart. Another character who Troy manages to hurt is his best friend Jim, also known as Bono. He says, “I done learned a whole heap of things about life watching you. I done learned to tell where the shit lies. How to tell it from the alfalfa.” Wilson makes it very clear that Bono looks up to Troy. Towards the end you see that the two barely even hang out anymore, and this is due to Troy’s affair. From the beginning of the book, Bono is trying to steer his friend clear from the other woman, nevertheless Troy does not listen. It seems the affair not only damaged his marriage, but also Bono’s admiration for him. Towards the closing of the book Troy’s brother, Gabriel, helps “the gates of heaven stand open as wide as God’s closet.” Gabriel has opened the way for his brother and ultimately given peace to not only Bono and Cory, but all the other characters in the story as
While there are other characters, it is clear that Troy Maxson is the protagonist of the play. His actions drive the story and ultimately keep it going. He has many good qualities about himself, …show more content…
While he always believed what he was doing was right, it’s evident that his actions hurt many of the characters. One of the biggest examples of this is his relationship with his son. At the beginning of the play, it seems like Cory is really trying to be like his father. It is even stated by Troy’s wife that his son is “just trying to be like you [Troy] with the sports.” This is very ironic considering sports is the issue that tears the apart. Another character who Troy manages to hurt is his best friend Jim, also known as Bono. He says, “I done learned a whole heap of things about life watching you. I done learned to tell where the shit lies. How to tell it from the alfalfa.” Wilson makes it very clear that Bono looks up to Troy. Towards the end you see that the two barely even hang out anymore, and this is due to Troy’s affair. From the beginning of the book, Bono is trying to steer his friend clear from the other woman, nevertheless Troy does not listen. It seems the affair not only damaged his marriage, but also Bono’s admiration for him. Towards the closing of the book Troy’s brother, Gabriel, helps “the gates of heaven stand open as wide as God’s closet.” Gabriel has opened the way for his brother and ultimately given peace to not only Bono and Cory, but all the other characters in the story as