See more
What is the property of metaphor in fences?
Alan Nadel, in his essay entitled “Boundaries, Logistics, and Identity: The Property of Metaphor in Fences and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone ,” points out that the notion of a fence is tied up with, “the idea of property” and “giving propriety” (Nadel). 1 As Nadel reminds the reader, in the Western world, there is a long tradition that building a fence around something confers ownership (Nadel 86).
What does Troy mean by the fence?
For Troy, the fence is a way of “reclaiming ground” in the same way that Wilson himself hopes that African American theatre will reclaim the ground lost in centuries of oppression (Kushner).
What does Rose sing in Fences Act 1 Scene 1?
Troy, after a trying week, has declared, “I’m gonna drink just enough so I can handle it” (Wilson, Fences Act 1, Scene 1). He has also announced that he will be “still stroking” Rose come Monday morning (Wilson, Fences Act 1, Scene 1). Rose’s hymn pleads for protection against sin and temptation so that it may seem an odd choice after all this enthusiastic marital activity.
Why does Troy build a fence?
Troy is perhaps trying to build a fence, weekend by weekend, at Rose’s urging, to assert his ownership over his home and family that he, and especially Rose, value so dearly. We know that Rose cherishes her family because Rose expresses her ambition that, “I never wanted any half nothing in my family” (Wilson, Fences Act 2, Scene 1). She wants to keep this wholeness, this propriety, and to accomplish this, she has striven to be, “everything a wife could be” (Wilson, Fences Act 2, Scene 1).
What is the religious symbolism of fences?
Fences have a religious and spiritual symbolism in the play Fences, for example, as expressed by Rose. Wilson has Rose sing a gospel song to herself, providing what the playwright, as quoted by Murphy, calls, “an emotional reference for the information” (Murphy). The hymn asks,
What is the fence around the Torah?
What is inside the fence of the law is protected both from people straying, and from people attacking it.
What is the fence in the play?
The fence in this play is a symbol of Troy’s manhood as a husband and father in a racist nation, an effort to keep their family and property together, and a symbolic appeal to God to keep out sin and evils.
Why doesn't Troy let Cory play football?
Troy tells Cory he will not let his son play football for fear of racial discrimination, just as Troy believes he experienced when he wanted a career in the National leagues. However, it is suggested later on that Troy told Cory's coach that his son is no longer to play football.
What does Troy say to Rose about his mistress?
Troy admits to Rose that he has been having an affair and that his mistress, Alberta, is pregnant.
Why does Cory refuse to go to Troy's funeral?
He initially refuses to go to his father's funeral due to long-standing resentment, but he is convinced by his mother to pay his respects to his father — the man who, though hard-headed and often poor at demonstrating affection, nevertheless loved his son. The family say their farewells to Troy and offer forgiveness that may not be fully deserved.
How many times does Gabe blow into his trumpet?
He blows three times into his trumpet, but no sound comes out. In a moment of trance, Gabe begins to dance and sing. The sun breaks through the clouds while the family looks on. Troy is at last delivered and the rest of the family is too; each seeming to find peace in their relationship with Troy.
What is Fences by August Wilson about?
Set in the 1950s, it is the sixth in Wilson's ten-part " Pittsburgh Cycle ". Like all of the "Pittsburgh" plays, Fences explores the evolving African-American experience and examines race relations, among other themes. The play won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize ...
What is Troy's speech about?
Troy's character is revealed through his speech about how he went up to their boss, Mr. Rand, and asked why black men are not allowed to drive garbage trucks; Rose and Lyons join in the conversation.
How many Tony Awards did the revival win?
The revival was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, winning three for Best Revival of a Play, Best Actor in a Play (Denzel Washington), and Best Actress in a Play (Viola Davis).
Overview
Fences is a 1985 play by American playwright August Wilson. Set in the 1950s, it is the sixth in Wilson's ten-part "Pittsburgh Cycle". Like all of the "Pittsburgh" plays, Fences explores the evolving African-American experience and examines race relations, among other themes. The play won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 1987 Tony Award for Best Play. Fences was first developed at t…
Plot
The focus of Wilson's attention in Fences is Troy, a 53-year-old working-class head of household who struggles with providing for his family. The play takes place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; although never officially named, it makes mention of several key locations in Pittsburgh. In his younger days, Troy was an excellent player in Negro league baseball and continued practicing baseball while serving time in prison for a murder he had committed during a robbery. Because t…
Productions
Fences was first developed at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's 1983 National Playwrights Conference.
It premiered at the Yale Repertory Theatre in 1985, under the direction of Lloyd Richards (who was then Artistic Director of the Yale Rep), with a cast of James Earl Jones (Troy Maxson), Mary Alice (Rose), Ray Aranha (Jim Bono), Russell Costen (Gabriel), and Courtney B. Vance (Cory).
Film adaptation
A film adaptation of Fences, directed by Denzel Washington, and starring Washington and Viola Davis reprising their roles from the 2010 Broadway revival, completed production in 2016. The film was released nationally on December 25, 2016, in the U.S. and was released on February 3, 2017, in the UK. The film was chosen by the American Film Institute as one of the top ten films of 2016, and has been nominated for numerous awards, including four Oscar nominations at the 89t…
Further reading
• Wilson, August (1986). Fences: A Play (First ed.). New York: Plume. ISBN 0-452-26401-4.
• Vecsey, George (May 10, 1987). "Sports of the Times; Ray Dandridge, The Hall of Fame and 'Fences'". The New York Times. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
• Napierkowski, Marie Rose, ed. (January 2006) [1998]. "Fences". Drama for Students. Vol. 3. Detroit: Gale; eNotes.com. Retrieved June 26, 2008.
External links
• Fences at the Internet Broadway Database