The Symbolism Of Fence In The Play Fences By August Wilson

Decent Essays
In the play “fences” the word “fence” itself is used not only as a title, but has a metaphorical connection to each character in the movie. Each character explains why they have a fence or want a fence both physically and mentally.

Rose is one of the main characters that wanted a fence because she thought it would keep strangers out, leaving just family and friends inside of the fence. Family is important to Rose so she does all that she can to keep them together. She also wants the best for Troy and her two sons. Troy is also a main character but, Troy doesn't want the fence because he prefers being free. Troy does not like being taken advantage of that's why he doesn't want his son to play football because he feels as though

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    In Wilson's play Fences, black men and women are stereotyped due to several factors. The play took place after World War II when women had replaced men in their roles. After the war was over, many women wanted to keep these jobs but were again replaced by men and thus remaining at home to play their initial roles. Rose, Troy's husband has been portrayed as an extremely maternal figure in the play (Grabowski, 2013). She is presented as a strong stereotypical mother who plays the role of taking care of her legitimate and illegitimate children.…

    • 1314 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The play Fences is from the early to mid 1900s, it captures what the world was like during that time period. Troy Maxson works for a sanitation service and is a hardworking man. The book Fences is largely Troy's stories, and how challenging his life was. Troy is married to Rose and has a best friend named Bono. He has two sons, Lyons (who was born from a different women) and Cory.…

    • 630 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Fences: Everything you need to know The play Fences written by August Wilson is a great play. It was written by someone who really lived in the character's shoes , and it felt very real. It connected to many things that have happened in my life. Many the hardships they have faced have come up in my life at some point, and it makes it very relatable to me personally, and that is way I choose to write about the Fences…

    • 587 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    While you could think that the title was chosen because a main part of the story focuses on Troy and Cory building a fence, there is actually a lot of symbolism behind the “Fences” title. The fence takes a very long time to build, which causes tension between Cory and Troy as he gets angry that Cory is never around to help. This leads to Cory making a point that Troy isn’t getting anything done because he is always going to Taylors’ where he visits his mistress, Alberta (pg #). Troy ignores his responsibility to build the fence, just like he is ignoring his responsibility to his family and wife.…

    • 110 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Fences in Fences August Wilson’s Fences has a significant title in that there are many fences that have an impact on the characters throughout the play. Troy Maxson is fenced out his baseball career in the major leagues because of his skin color. To add on this, there are some fences that arise within the family of Troy Maxson due to family issues. “August Wilson uses the symbol of the fence to illustrate the challenges of the black experience in America during the mid-1900’s.…

    • 947 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In Fences, August Wilson creates a character, Troy, constantly wanting to control the lives of Rose, Cory, and Gabriel. In Troy’s mind, it’s his responsibility to protect his family; however, it falls into control over their lives. Eventually Rose, Cory, and Gabriel take control over their lives to get away from Troy’s control in various ways. Rose, Troy’s wife, is a typical, stereotypical 1950’s housewife in the novel.…

    • 824 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    When defined, a fence is a barrier intended to prevent escape or intrusion or to mark a boundary, especially such a barrier made of posts and wire or boards. But, a fence can also be an emotional barrier between people. They are the result the result of conflict and tensions between the people involved, and can have negative results if not addressed. In August Wilson’s play “Fences”, Troy Maxson often conflicts with the people in his life.…

    • 799 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Rose Maxson is a forty-three year-old African American housewife who volunteers at her church regularly and loves her family. The title “Fences” metaphorically connect to Rose Maxson, because she request that Troy and Cory build a fence in their small dirt backyard comes to represent her desire to keep her loved once close to her. In the play she told Troy,”And you know I ain’t never wanted no half nothing in my family”(2.2). She said that when he fathered a child by another woman.…

    • 519 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “A women is unstoppable after she realizes she deserves better.” – Anonymous. In the drama, “Fences” the relationship between husband and wife is one to inspect. Rose and Troy are a couple that do not always see eye to eye, yet Rose always looks for the best in him. Even toward the end, although Rose is wants nothing to do with Troy she still takes in his new daughter.…

    • 1242 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Have you ever stopped to look at a rose? At first you will see its fine beauty and presence; however, with a closer look you will find its thorns that are there to protect itself for survival. In the play “Fences” by August Wilson, we are introduced to a character named Rose Maxon. Her first name can be represented with a literal meaning relating the flower. She is a very admirable woman who is also strong and set in her ways.…

    • 1399 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Fences are placed around properties for privacy and to keep others out of certain areas. A fence can be constructed using many materials and be as basic as a chain link fence separating a section of a yard on a property. Homeowners will install fences to keep young children or pets from wandering off. Installing a fence can be strictly for safety reasons, putting a fence around a pool or an area that is unsafe for people to avoid injury. They are part of a home or other structure that gives limited access to unwanted visitors.…

    • 403 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Interested In A Vinyl Fence? 4 Things You Should Know If you want to add privacy to your backyard, or keep your family pet contained without having him on a chain, a fence is a great way to do it. Consider getting a vinyl fence because of these 4 things.…

    • 422 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Troy Maxson, the central figure of Fences, is a self-centered and stubborn man. He wasn’t a completely awful person, he did have some good qualities, but he just wasn’t a good man. In the play we see that does take very good care of his family and takes his position as the provider as the house very seriously. Although, his behavior and the way he talks to his family comes off as very cruel. Troy cares a lot about his family in the way that he just wants to keep them safe and provide them with the necessities like a home and food.…

    • 1258 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the two plays, A Raisin in the Sun, and Fences, the plot is centered around an African American man living in the city with his family. In A Raisin in the Sun, that man is Walter Lee, who is middle aged, and works as a chauffeur for a rich white man. In Fences, it is Troy Maxson, who is in his fifties, and he works for the sanitation department lifting garbage into trucks. The two of them are fathers of boys, Walter Lee having one, and Troy having two (until the end in which he has a girl). Throughout the story, they are concerned with fathering their children, and being a fatherly figure in the household.…

    • 1575 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Privacy Fencing

    • 524 Words
    • 3 Pages

    When considering fencing for your yard, you will want to consider having one that continues to offer benefits for years to come. We install privacy fencing that provides plenty of those benefits. Benefits of Privacy Fences Aesthetics With the wide variety of privacy fencing available, there are plenty of designs that will add interest and curb appeal to your yard. Many types of privacy fencing that we install can be painted or stained to match other design elements of your home and yard.…

    • 524 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays