Fences is a 1985 play written by August Wilson. The was the sixth play out of the ten in August Wilsons 10 play cycle other known as the “Pittsburgh Cycle”. The 10 play cycle created by Wilson was to represent different African American real life issues and every day struggles that African Americans have to endure. Each play is from a different decade each representing a different African American issue. In the Play Fences, it explores the topics of race relations, manhood, and the overall struggles of an African American family living in Pittsburg. Troy who is the protagonist and the father of the family is a man that is struggling to provide for his family which in turn is starting to make his family see if they can trust him to provide.
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Manhood was a very frequent topic of discussion throughout the play as Troy often referred to it when describing his life decisions or stories. The most frequent time this theme occurred was when Troy was reprimanding Cory or explaining to Cory why he makes the decisions he makes. Every character has their own definition of manhood so controversial in the play but also very intriguing because it really makes yourself as an audience member think to yourself who is right and who is wrong or is everybody to an extent right with what they think manhood is. Troy’s view of manhood is that as long as you provide shelter to your family and proved them with money from your job that that is being a man and that also makes you the man of the house which allows you to make all the decisions. This very controversial because giving all the power to one person is a dangerous thing because with only one person having their set of rules doesn’t make it very comfortable for everybody else which in return can cause arguments with the family and also separation and distance.
Manhood was a very frequent topic of discussion throughout the play as Troy often referred to it when describing his life decisions or stories. The most frequent time this theme occurred was when Troy was reprimanding Cory or explaining to Cory why he makes the decisions he makes. Every character has their own definition of manhood so controversial in the play but also very intriguing because it really makes yourself as an audience member think to yourself who is right and who is wrong or is everybody to an extent right with what they think manhood is. Troy’s view of manhood is that as long as you provide shelter to your family and proved them with money from your job that that is being a man and that also makes you the man of the house which allows you to make all the decisions. This very controversial because giving all the power to one person is a dangerous thing because with only one person having their set of rules doesn’t make it very comfortable for everybody else which in return can cause arguments with the family and also separation and distance.