Fences

In August Wilson’s Fences, Troy Maxson is a man of many flaws. He is human, and like any other human, his experiences throughout life have influenced his decisions and his outlook on life. If we were to have no context on Troy’s life, we would see him as a father who kept his son from … Read more

The emotional experience of the landscape is never identical for different individuals. Nonetheless, these diverse experiences always informs a person’s sense of connection to their physical landscape, and subsequently have a profound impact on their identity. Colm Toibin’s novel Brooklyn explores how Eilis Lacey’s emotional experience in familiar and foreign landscapes develops her changing perceptions … Read more

Color is a major issue of focus in discussions about America’s dynamics, because an individual’s color can influence his experiences in various realms of life including participation in sports and success. Abdelsamie and Abdallah article “The Image of the Afro-American in Fences” opines that during the 70s and 80s, black footballers in America were frequently … Read more

Along with the Fourth of July and apple pie, baseball is a celebrated symbol of America. Since its invention over 150 years ago, the game has served as a powerful metaphor for the American dream, and the hopes and democratic ideals that accompany this idea. However, in 1957, when August Wilson’s Fences is set, baseball … Read more

August Wilson’s Fences is a classic play about African-American life written in 1983 and set sometime in the 1950s. It serves as the sixth installment in Wilson’s “Pittsburgh Cycle,” which spans ten installments in total. Fences is a period piece during a decade through which Wilson had personally lived by the time he wrote the … Read more

In the play Fences, by August Wilson, a fence represents protection and incomplete or broken relationships. Through the fence, Wilson is trying to show that even things that were once perfect and have gone awry can still be rebuilt. One way Wilson uses the fence is to represent protection and love. A fence usually keeps … Read more

Divides Made By Fences Built By definition, the structure of a fence is said to be a barrier that controls access or prevents escape from a specific area. In August Wilson’s Fences, this definition stands for much larger boundaries being set within each character’s interpersonal relationships. The idea of fences being built defines most of … Read more