Category: Fences

Introduction

The play “Fences”, written by August Wilson, is the author’s most popular work. It revolves around the Maxson family; their lives as well as their relationships. The play was written in the year 1983 and it was from this work that the author earned his first “Pulitzer Prize” (Bradford Para1).

In the play, Troy Maxson is the protagonist. It commences with a sociable conversation between Troy and Bono during the payday. In this talk, Troy narrates about the way he was inquiring from his boss by the name Mr. Rand about the reasons why the blacks were not permitted to become drivers of the garbage trucks.

Later in the play, the affair which Troy engaged in with a lady known as Alberta is exposed. However, the existence of Alberta is only known to us, as readers, during the time she is pregnant and in the course of her death when she is giving birth to her daughter, Raynell, the product of the illicit relationship. In the last act of the play, Raynell is seven years of age and she is happy.

Her brother, Cory, the Son of Troy returns from war and is unhappy and does not accept to attend the funeral of the father because of the bitter feeling he had held for long. August Wilson’s “Fences” makes us, as readers, to rethink about the position that is held by the African American in regard to the political and cultural contexts at different points in history; and the character of Troy aims to remove the social stereotype linked with particular African American men’s being lazy, irresponsibility and lack of purpose.

Troy’s Character

In a similar manner as a large number of other tragic heroes, Troy engages in doing what he believes are the right things to do. Although those around him caution him, making him to be aware of the fact that the things he does or wants to do have tragic outcomes, he does not listen to them but goes ahead to follow his own illusions. Sometimes he ends up “missing the mark”. An illustration of the way Troy “misses the mark” in the play is by considering his relationship with the son, Cory. The son, just like the father, loves sports.

This son is chosen to have a college “football scholarship” and this makes Cory to be filled with joy. On the contrary, Troy is not happy with this and stands against everything and does not want the son to go off to play this game. This discouragement from Troy results from the fact that he was not allowed playing “pro baseball” in his life. He insists on preventing the son from going to play football basing on the reason that he was not ready to see his son go through a similar heartache that he went through himself.

People around him try to convince him with an intention of letting him to know that these are new times and therefore Cory will be in a better position. For instance, his wife says, “they got lots of colored boys playing ball now…baseball and football” (1.1.76). Bono, his friend tells him, “times have changed, Troy, you just come along too early” (Wilson, 1.1.77).Troy does not consider any of these comments and eventually tells Cory that, “the Whiteman aint gonna let you get nowhere with that football, no way” (Wilson, 1.3.78).

Troy does not accept that times have changed and he is not ready to pay attention to forewarning signs. Rather than accepting what he is being told by those around him, he follows his own way which is on the basis of his own illusions. Through his resistance, he ends up destroying the dreams of his son. However, although the son feels that the father is being jealous of him by preventing him to peruse the sports career, but in Troy’s judgment, he knows that he is doing this as a caring and responsible father who is protecting his down son.

Troy was a hardworking man and this could be seen through the commitment he showed in his work and the eventual promotion he achieved. For about twenty years, he labored from “the back of the garbage truck, along side his friend Bono” (Bradford Para 17). These two pulled garbage all over the region.

However, Troy was not satisfied but wanted a promotion, but getting a promotion was not an easy undertaking due to racial discrimination. Eventually, Troy was able to be promoted, climbing the ladder to becoming a garbage truck driver. However, this causes him to become distanced from his friends and the rest of the community to which he belongs (African American).

Conclusion

This play makes one to rethink about the position that is held by the African American in regard to the political and cultural contexts at different points in history; and the character of Troy aims to remove the social stereotype linked with particular African American men’s being lazy, irresponsibility and lack of purpose. Through the relationship between Troy and his son, Cory, the reader is able to realize how times are changing; both in the political context as well as the cultural context.

More so, Troy presents himself as a man who is very hardworking and not lazy and has a purpose in life. It is through this that the stereotype of some African American being lazy and lacking purpose in life, is broken. In addition, although Troy “misses the mark” but he also presents himself as a caring father by protecting his son from going through the same heartache which he himself went through.

Works Cited

Bradford, Wade. August Wilson’s “Fences”, 2011. Web.

Wilson, August. Fences. New York: Paw Prints, 2008.

Introduction

Fences is a play written by August Wilson, an American playwright, in 1983. The play explores experiences of black Americans during the 1950s concerning racial discriminations that dominated the society. The play focuses on the life of Troy, the main character, a family man who is 53 years old.

His wife, Rose, and his son, Cory, rely on him in every aspect of their life. In the play, Troy struggles to provide for his family by performing menial jobs. During his youthful period, Troy was a baseball player, but he did not manage to reap most out of his talent because racial discrimination denied him the opportunity to play major leagues in baseball. According to Wilson, Troy differs from his son when he denies him a chance to play in school football (37).

In the play, Troy works as a garbage man, and later manages to work as a truck driver after a series of struggles because racial discrimination restrains black men from working as drivers. Troy has an affair with Alberta, so they have a daughter, Raynell. Unfortunately, Alberta dies during delivery. In this view, this essay seeks to explain psychological freedom and self-determination as exhibited in the play by depicting how Wilson’s life experiences influenced the development of the play.

Psychological Freedom and Self-Determination

The play, Fences, reflects struggles that August Wilson encountered in his life. Since his father left him, his mother and stepfather assume the responsibility of raising and providing him with essential education that he needs. However, August Wilson did not continue with his education because “he was accused of plagiarism at school when he wrote sophisticated paper, which the administration did not believe he could write” (Wilson 2).

The school administration suspends and denies him a chance to continue with his studies. Despite the suspension, August Wilson exhibits self-determination by going to the local library where he studies on his own. After reading extensively, he manages to gain literary skills that help him venture into play writing.

During his childhood, August Wilson is determined to become an author, but his mother dreams to see him as an attorney. Given that August Wilson refuses to comply with his mother’s demands, she compels him to move out of their home and join the United States Army.

The self-determination and freedom of choice make August Wilson pursue his own dream. Although his mother has a strong influence on his life, August Wilson manages to overcome it when he decides to go against her wishes. Burbank highlights, “Wilson’s artistic and political efforts overlap as attempts to elaborate the identity of descendants of slaves; to restore agency to a population otherwise collectively reduced to a trope” (122).

Wilson’s experience relates to the experience of Cory and his father Troy in the play. Troy denies his son to take part in the football because he believes that racism may hinder Cory’s performance and progress as it did to him years ago. Hence, the experience of family pressure on career development, as the play exhibits, relates to the experiences of August Wilson.

Given that August Wilson experiences racial discrimination against black Americans, he employs his literary skills in fighting racism. Burbank argues, “Wilson’s work revealed Black Americans to be forcibly infused aliens, shaping their destiny as best they could within a strange culture” (117).

Experiences in racism and self-determination prompt Wilson to join black power movement to fight for the rights of the black Americans. In his literary articles and books, August Wilson focuses on the experiences of the black as most of his works illustrate. The play even deals with experiences of the black; hence, it means that his historical experiences are central in development of the play.

In the play, Troy reveals his irritation when he questions why the black employees are unable to work as garbage truck drivers. He observes that the white employers undermine black employees because blacks have a chance to work only as garbage collectors.

Discrimination against the blacks makes Troy feel inferior as a black. In his experiences and struggles, Troy sees the importance of fighting for self-determination and refuses to submit to inferior status, thus enabling him to secure a job as a truck driver in the city. According to Wilson, Troy “has been given promotion that will make him the first black garbage truck driver in the city” (34). Through determination, this promotion makes Troy overcome racism and feel superior.

Although he has a wife, Troy has a clandestine affair with another woman. The affair results in Alberta becoming pregnant. Unfortunately, she dies during delivery. Troy decides to take the child, Raynell, and raise him with his wife. He is not sure if his wife will accept to take care of the baby.

Fortunately, he convinces his wife to take care of the child, as a stepmother. According to Wilson, “Rose takes in Raynell as her own child, but refuses to be dutiful as Troy’s wife,” (63). Therefore, Troy exhibits self-determination as he succeeds in making his wife accept his affair with Alberta and convince her to take care of the kid. In spite of issues in his family, Troy is self-determined because he tries to solve them.

Cory, the son of Troy and Rose, plays football in the school team. His father is jealous of him and goes ahead to stop him from participating in the football league by telling the coach not to allow Cory to participate in the game. In spite of attempts by his father to prevent him from playing football, persistence gives Cory the impetus to continue with his career in the football club.

Wilson states that being unable to deter Cory, “Troy warns Cory that his insubordination is a strike against him” (44). Troy extends his evil deeds by fighting Cory and ensures that he sends him out of the house on allegations that Cory must be self-reliant. Through his determination, Cory secures a job in the military and comes home to attend Troy’s funeral. Hence, self-determination and freedom enable Cory to pursue his dreams despite his father’s influence.

Conclusion

Fences is a play that illustrates the life of Troy, the main character of the play in terms of experiences that he undergoes in a racist society that is full of struggles. The play exhibits determination that Troy employs as he faces numerous challenges in life that prompt him to endure and continue pursuing his dreams.

Moreover, the play is a reflection of life’s experiences of the writer, August Wilson, because the main character shares common experiences with the writer. Comparatively, both Troy and August Wilson differ from their parents regarding their careers, thus prompting them to enter into military. Therefore, the play does not only provide experiences of the blacks but also reflects life’s experiences of August Wilson. Apparently, no barrier can withstand self-determination, as explored in Fences.

Works Cited

Burbank, Surgei. “The shattered mirror: what August Wilson means and willed to mean.” College Literature 36.2 (2009): 117-129. EBSCOhost. Web.

Wilson, August. Fences: A Play. New York: Plume, 1986. Print.

August Wilson is a successful author who is known for proper relation of his short stories to reality. Almost all Wilson’s plays involve aspects of his life in precision to racism and issues closely related.

The essay will focus in the theme of liberation from racism. Comparison in relation to effects of racism and approaches of liberation between two plays by Wilson will be made. Further, the feasibility and relevance of the short stories in the life of Wilson will be well outlined. The essay will focus on two plays namely; Fences and The Piano Lesson.

The different ways perceived as possible freedom from racism will be discussed in regard to Wilson’s perceptions. Further, the essay will highlight instances where the theme of racism liberation is not well brought out in both stories. The discussion will outline the clearer way in which the author could have better presented the theme of liberty and effects of racism. Consequently, the discussion will highlight the different ways in which different characters interpret liberation from racism.

August Wilson

Wilson was born in a poor family that was exposed to racism. Wilson’s parents were immigrants and faced discrimination due to inferiority of black race. Poverty was due to racism as blacks were not allowed to work in better paying jobs. His life was greatly influenced by racism and the journey to become an author was subjected to many challenges including that of dropping out of school at the age of sixteen.

Wilson was accused of plagiarism simply because he was black and was not expected to come up with a complicated essay. Wilson hid the issue of expulsion from his mother because he did not want her to feel disappointed. In the schools he attended before expulsion he was abused and maltreated because of his race. As a result of racism, Wilson ended up in unskilled jobs due to constant discrimination that was accorded to the black race (Little 8).

Wilson differed with his mother who wanted him to become a lawyer while he dreamt of being an author. Career pressurization was a result of racial discrimination. Wilson thought that when he became an author he would be able to mitigate the effects of racism. His mother on the other hand thought that the effects of racism could only be dealt with by law career development.

The conflict between Wilson and his mother resulted to disunity and Wilson was sent away from home. Wilson joined the United States army and later left it for unskilled jobs. His writing career begun shortly after his father’s death and it escalated rapidly (Little 9).

Fences

Fences was written by August Wilson in 1983 and has secured so many awards ever since. The play is based on racial discrimination that black Americans survived due to existence of the gap between them and the white superior race.

The essay focuses on the effects associated with racial discrimination and the approaches used in liberating the black Americans. In the play, Troy is the main character who acts as a bread winner of his family which constitutes of Rose and Cory. Troy works in the unskilled jobs industry as a garbage man since black Americans are not allowed to work in well paying jobs.

The menial jobs are very similar to the situation of Wilson after he was expelled from school. Troy cannot work in a better job since black Americans are discriminated. Similarly, Wilson ended up in the menial jobs after he was discontinued from school. Plagiarism accusations were based on black race discrimination. The play illustrates how black Americans like Wilson were discriminated and approaches they used in liberating themselves from effects of racism (Wilson 12).

In the play Troy participated in basketball but was unsuccessful due to racial discrimination. Troy was not allowed to play in the prominent leagues that would open up success opportunities. Racial discrimination has long term impacts as evidenced by the way Troy discourages his son from participation in football.

Corey however, persists and registers with a football club. Troy’s persistence secures him a place to work as a truck driver. Troy is involved in an affair with Alberta and they bear Raynell. Alberta dies as she delivers and Troy convinces his wife Rose to accept Raynell. Rose accepts Raynell but promises that she will not be a dutiful wife. Troy sends Corey away from home in the excuse of making him responsible and independent. Corey ventures in the military career and returns home at the funeral of his father (Wilson 8).

The piano lesson

The play features the effects of economic instability on African American immigrants in 1930s. The black Americans were discriminated and enslaved by the white race. Enslavement involved forced labor and maltreatment in prisons.

The black Americans were forced to work in the land owned by the white race and were fed in exchange of their labor. The play features Willie the main antagonist who wants to sell a family piano so as to liberate himself from slavery. Notably, racial discrimination leads to slavery which the victims want to be freed from.

The play starts with the arrival of Willie and Lymon in Charles Doaker’s home. Willie and Lymon have a track of watermelons that they want to sell. However, Willie is affected by the great gap that exists between black and white races. Willie is stigmatized and wants to sell the family piano so as to liberate himself from racial discrimination and inequity. Willie attributes racism to poverty and slavery that his ancestors endured. According to Willie the piano should be sold so as to own the land that his ancestors worked as slaves (Wilson 4).

Bernice is Willie’s sister and main protagonist of the play. She believes that the piano should not be sold since it is the only existing legacy for the family. According to Bernice, the piano should remain intact so as to ensure that their ancestors are constantly with them. The blood and tears shed and rubbed on the piano by Bernice’s mother represents the suffering endured by the black Americans during slavery.

Since her parents always played the piano Bernice felt that the legacy of their family should be maintained. However, Bernice did not want to play the piano any more after the death of her parents to avoid waking the spirits. The Sutter ghost is mentioned throughout the play and it represents the white man who owned Charles’s family during slavery. Despite the advice of selling the piano to stop haunt of spirits, Bernice still refuses to sell it (Wilson 10).

Willie is persistent on selling the piano and moves on to find a potential buyer. Charles Doarker and Bernice warn Willie that the urge to sell the piano is a trap set by the spirit of Sutter so as to kill him. Willie disregards the advice and attempts to move the piano. The ghost of Sutter appears and blessings by Avery Brown are fruitless. Bernice rushes and plays the piano as a way calling for help from her ancestors. As Bernice plays the piano the spirit of Sutter disappears and Willie leaves (Wilson 11).

Relevance

The two short stories are crucial in eliciting effects of racism and different approaches used to mitigate them. In all scenarios racial discrimination led to conflicts and hostility among the black Americans.

Wilson differed with his mother when he wanted him to become a lawyer and was sent away from home. In Fences, Troy sent Corey away from home since he wanted to venture into football, which was against his father’s wish. In the Piano lesson, Bernice differed with Willie on the approaches of liberating themselves from discrimination (Little 8).

Poverty was a common effect of racial discrimination that had black race on the receiving end. The parents of Wilson were poor since they were only allowed to work in unskilled jobs. Wilson worked in menial jobs because he could not be allowed to work in high rank jobs. Troy worked as a garbage man for a long time since black Americans could not work in better jobs. Willie was poor because he worked in farms that did not belong to him. The parents of Bernice and Willie lived in slavery which made them poor (Wilson 13).

The victims had different perceptions as far as coping with effects of racial discrimination was concerned. Wilson wanted to become an author because he thought that it was the best way to deal with racial discrimination. On the other hand, his mother wanted him to become a lawyer.

His mother associated freedom from discrimination with the career of law. In fences, Troy sent Cory away from home due to his persistence in playing football. Troy asked the referee of the football team to stop Cory from playing. Troy actions are based on his experiences of racial discrimination.

The author fails to elaborate on this point intensely. Wilson should have highlighted the interpretation of the different victims who were subjected to racial discrimination. For example, he could have explained the reason for the persistent discouragement of Troy on the participation of his son in football club. Troy could have wanted Cory to adopt a career that would liberate them from effects of racial discrimination (Spradley and Mccurdy 11).

Stigmatization was also an impact of racial discrimination and had the black Americans as the victims. Wilson felt stigmatized due to the fact that he was expelled from school and accused of plagiarism. Due to stigmatization Wilson hid the expulsion from his mother and instead opted to work in the menial jobs.

Further, his family was forced out of a house where they lived together with the white race. Wilson studied in three different schools all of which he was maltreated because of his race. In Fences Troy was irritated and stigmatized by the fact that black Americans cannot work in better jobs. Further, Tory was devastated when he was denied the opportunity to participate in prominent basketball leagues.

One reason why Troy discouraged Cory from participation in football team and club was to prevent him from experience of stigma that he underwent during his youth (Little 12). In Piano lesson, Willie feels stigmatized by the slavery and is determined to be equal with the white race. According to Willie, racial equity would only be established if he owns land like the white race.

Maltreatment is an effect of racial discrimination. In the two stories Wilson talks of the ways in which the black Americans were maltreated. Wilson left one of the schools because he was being abused. Troy worked as a garbage man because that was the job offered to black Americans.

In Piano lessons, slavery is the main theme. Willie was imprisoned to work in a farm that was owned by a white person. The spirit of Sutter shows how the white race restricted and maltreated the black race. Bernice refuses to sell the piano because she feels that it would be like throwing away the legacy that her parents had labored for, all their years in slavery (Burbank 119).

Conclusion

The effects of discrimination and coping strategies adopted by black Americans are well scrutinized in the short stories done by Wilson. As a matter of fact, the stories depict the experiences of Wilson in his journey to become an author who was free from racial discrimination. The short stories play a significant role in reduction of racial discrimination.

The negative impacts associated with racial discrimination have been outlined so as to discourage its spread. The success by the victims in the end of his stories encourages those who are subjected to any form of racial discrimination. Determination of the victims helped them realize their set goal. Efforts should be directed towards reducing the margin that exists between races.

Works Cited

Burbank, Surgei. “The shattered mirror: what August Wilson means and willed to mean.” College Literature 36.2 (2009): 117-129. EBSCOhost. Web.

Little, Johnathan. Twentieth-Century American Dramatists: Second Series. Detroit, Michigan: Gale publishers, 2000. Print.

Spradley, James, and David Mccurdy. Conformity and Conflict: Readings In Cultural Anthropology. New York: Pearson Education press, 2009. Print.

Wilson, August. Fences: A Play. New York: Plume, 1986. Print.

Wilson, August. The Piano Lesson. New York: Plume, 1991. Print.

The novels, Fences by August Wilson, and O’ Pioneer by Willa Cather describe the lifestyle of a common American citizen. August Wilson focuses on the struggles of the African Americans to fit in a society controlled by racism. The main characters like Troy do not know whether to fulfilling their dreams and ambitions or confront the real life, which faces them each day.

On the other hand, Willa Cather mainly focuses on the daily experiences of people especially in property ownership, neighborliness, life hardships, and individual relationships thus highlighting the theme of realism. Everybody in the world, at least, has an aspiration or dream but to convert it into pragmatism always proves a hard task.

Therefore, in the novel, the Fences, Troy, and Rose struggle to balance their lives as a reality because of their individual ambitions while in O’Pioneer, Alexander fights to fulfill her dreams as a reality.

Themes of Dream Vs Reality

In Act one, scene one, of Fences, Troy highlights the subject of hallucination, unreality, and illusions when he describes how he met with death and the devil.

Although his wife, Rose, and friend, Bono, disapprove his tale, he insists on being immortal, which is unreal. The hallucination about death leads to a conflict between Troy and his wife, but eventually the tussle draws the theme of reality. Furthermore, Troy asserts that he cheated death, but Rose refutes his claims when she says, “Troy lying” (Wilson Act I scene I).

Nevertheless, Troy’s hallucination about death arose when he suffered pneumonia during his childhood. When his wife, Rose, reminds him about the pneumonia, Troy insists on escaping death.

To brush off the tale, Rose says, “Troy, don’t nobody wanna be hearing all that stuff” (Wilson Act I scene I), which means she is not only upset, but also tired of the unrealistic tale. Therefore, Troy thinks he physically fought with death proving his self- ambition as a dreamer and a believer.

In reality can a person fight, cheat or wrestle with death? Troy’s wife calls him to wake up, stop dreaming, and face the reality of life. On the other hand, Rose’s dream is to become rich, which pushes her to invest her money in unscrupulous means like playing numbers. Eventually, she looses her money, which signals the start of her poverty.

Troy is against her game when he says, “You ain’t doing nothing but throwing your money away”(Wilson Act I scene III), which means she should invest her money in real business and not dream of making quick money. Therefore, Rose and Troy live a miserable life because they focus on their dreams forgetting about the reality of life and the changing world.

In the second instance, Troy as a black American, believes education is the only way to achieve a good life. Initially, Troy’s dream was to become a baseball player, but the aspect of racism denied him the chance to explore his skills. On the contrary, his son, Cory, will do anything to join professional football; nevertheless, Troy is against it, which degenerates to a conflict between the two.

According to Troy, historically, no black men played professional football; thus, his aim is to force his children to follow his footsteps, even though, none of his dreams succeeded. A conflict ensues between the two drifting them apart.

Cory says, “Papa was like a shadow that followed you everywhere” (Wilson Act II scene V), which means that Troy’s aspiration is to see his children live his dream. The ambition to pass his historical life to his children seems futile because of the dynamic world.

Among Troy’s philosophies are “You gotta take the crookeds with the straights” (Wilson Act II scene V), which not only builds tension between him and his children, but also leads to frequent disagreements. Similarly, Troy is against supporting his son’s desire to venture into a music career because that is not among his dreams.

According to Troy, racism, discrimination, and inequality killed his dreams and he believes the same aspects will happen to his children; regrettably, he forgets that his children are living in different times. In addition, Troy’s unfulfilled dreams pushed him to be a wicked, selfish, and tyrannizing in his family. He resorts to passing decision without consultation especially to his family members, which leaves him both angry and frustrated.

Finally, Troy’s dream not only kills his future, but also that of his children. On the other hand, in the book, O’pioneer, Willa Cather, the author, focuses on the theme of reality. Alexandra’s aim is to be a successful, rich, and famous farmer, which she not only explores, but also achieves. Alexandra achieves her dream because she owns management skills.

The author highlights the theme of reality by describing the daily lives of the characters. Relationships, land ownership, conflicts, and hard economic times are among the life experiences Cather focuses on in her work.

The impact of the dreams Vs reality

The aforementioned themes describe the human lives encompassing their social, economic, cultural, and personal context. Each of Troy’s family members has a dream, but the diverse ambitions lead to family conflicts. The aim of most people is to live a good life and own vast property; nevertheless, a failure in any of the aforementioned pursuits leads to frustration.

The human nature pushes people to venture into unreal world, as it is the case with Troy. Besides “wrestling with death”, his other dream is to control and mould his children in his own ways, but he fails (Wilson Act I scene I).

Sometimes the human condition is dynamic depending on the situation at hand. Socially, the personal dreams of the characters affect their social and economic lives. For instance, Alexandra rarely commits herself into any relationship; nevertheless, when loneliness (reality) sets in, she decides to marry.

Economically, property ownership is a crucial element the human nature. According to John, “The mark of man upon the land becomes indistinguishable from the marks of nature’s own processes” (Cather 14), which means land is a sensitive issue to people and it may either build or destroy an individual.

Conclusion

In summary, according to August and Cather, every human being has dreams but it takes an individual initiative to turn the dream into reality. Although Troy and Rose dream of living better lives, they use retrogressive means to pursue their dreams, and they fail terribly. In addition, people should strive to live in present and not base their lives on their past as it is with Troy.

Sadly, some dreams like human immortality are unrealistic and people should focus on realism, as it is the case with Alexandra. Finally, each person’s ambitions affect his or her social, economic, political, and personal decisions, as it is the case with Alexandra, Rose, and Troy as outlined in this paper.

Works Cited

Cather, Willa. O’pioneer. New York: Vintage Books, 1992.

Wilson, August. Fences. New York: Plume, 1986.

August Wilson, the author of the “social realist” drama Fences, gives audiences a glimpse into the life of an African American family trying to gain respect and respectability (Kushner). They are trying to accomplish this at a time when segregation was still nearly universal. The fences that appear in the title, and often throughout the drama serve to represent some of the challenges the family faces. Fences are rich in symbolic possibilities. They are barriers for property lines, for keeping livestock in, or predators out.

They segregate, exclude, protect, and even imprison. They also symbolize all the ways that this family tries to keep the things that threaten them out and their family unity in. Whether the fences that the family erects, both symbolically and physically, are successful in preventing the negative and promoting the positive, the audience remains uncertain.

The yard fence that sits unfinished at the beginning of the play is one example of this use of symbolism. It parallels the career in baseball that Troy Maxson wanted to pursue (Wilson, Fences Act I, Scene i). Like the fence, one of his major life ambitions remains unachieved for much of the play. It sits there, reminding him of what he has not accomplished. Unlike baseball, however, he finally builds the fence (Wilson, Fences Act II, Scene iv). The problem of not achieving everything one hopes to in life strikes a nearly universal chord.

Fences also demarcate private property, which, in this instance, is a sign of the improved status of African Americans in the 1950s (Nadel 86). As Sanders notes, the symbol of the fence refers to the historically painful connection,” between property rights and human rights, for African Americans” (Sanders).

As August Wilson points out in his introduction to the first act, the northern cities that African Americans migrated to in search of a better life were only grudgingly welcoming and permitted the migrants only the lowest-paid jobs (Wilson, Fences Act I, Scene i).

Thus, although Troy could legally own home, he was able to acquire it only by appropriating a portion of Gabriel’s disability payment from the Army (Wilson, Fences Act II, Scene v). Nonetheless, he is fiercely proud of, “his own house and yard that he done paid for with the sweat of his brow” (Wilson, Fences Act II, Scene iv).

The fence, or his intention to build a fence in response to his wife’s request, represents his pride in what he has managed to accomplish as a man, a husband, and a bread-winner. He wants to demonstrate that he is strong and competent as a man, in terms of which he is capable of.

He is so committed to being a good husband, according to his own lights, that he describes his role as a husband as giving Rose everything, even “the lint from my pockets” (Wilson, Fences Act I, Scene iii). Part of being a good husband is his desire to fulfill his wife’s wish for the respectability of a fence, even though he comes home tired each evening.

The fence, as a long-established and highly visible marker of ownership, marks the territory in which he exerts authority (Nadel 86). This is the space in which he has the prerogative to say who can stay and who must go. This includes throwing his son Cory out (Wilson, Fences Act II, Scene v). He even blusters at “Mr. Death” that he will, “build me a fence” and Death must, “stay on the other side” (Wilson, Fences Act II, Scene ii), unsuccessfully of course.

Rose, in singing, “Jesus be a fence around me every day,” expresses a longing for God’s protection from evils around her and her family (Wilson, Fences Act I, Scene ii). This is an example of both August Wilson’s use of the song for what Murphy calls the “spiritual and metaphorical,” and direct symbolism of the image of fences (Murphy 257).

Rose desires a stable family life, seeking what Wilson called the “inherent values that are a part of all human life,” and which were often denied to African Americans (Wilson, The Ground on Which I Stand). This is a step up for her because as Rose says, “I ain’t never wanted no half nothing in my family. My whole family is half.

Everybody got different fathers and mothers” (Wilson, Fences Act II, Scene i). The fence she wants is supposed to help her, “hold on to you all,” and keep this sort of family disruption away, but it cannot keep Troy out of trouble after all (Wilson, Fences Act II, Scene i).

Throughout the play, the image of Fences reappears to evoke ideas of all sorts of barriers. As Bono says, “Some people build fences to keep people out… And other people build fences to keep people in” (Wilson, Fences Act II, Scene i).

Fences, for Wilson, represent unmet ambitions, the achievement of property ownership, Troy’s commitment to marriage, his hard-won right to exert authority, Rose’s attempt to acquire spiritual protection, and an effort to preserve family unity. In its richness of meaning, the symbol offenses, both in the title and throughout the drama, evoke a moving range of ideas that bring the life and struggles of African Americans into sharper focus for the audience.

Works Cited

Kushner, Tony. “Author Notes.” Program. Costa Mesa: South Coast Repertory Company, 2010. Web.

Murphy, Brenda. “A Review: Understanding August Wilson by Mary Bogumil.” MELUS 26.1 (2001): 256-258. Web.

Nadel, Alan. “Boundaries, logisitics, and identity: The property of metaphor in “Fences” and “Joe Turner’s come and gone”.” Nadel, Alan. May Alll Your Fences Have Gates: Essays on the Drama of August Wilson. Ed. Alan Nadel. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1993. Web.

Sanders, Leslie. “Review of “May all Your Fences have Gates”: Essays on the Drama of August Wilson. by Alan Nadel.” African American Review Vol. 31, No. 1 (Spring, 1997), pp. 151-154 (n.d.): 152. Web.

Wilson, August. “Fences.” Titleofcompilation. Ed. Editorsfirst name Editorslastname. cityofpublisher: Publisherofcompilation, Year. 1833-1883. Print.

The Ground on Which I Stand. New York: The Theatre Communications Group, 2001. Web.

The theme of marriage has often been a subject of many plays, novels, essays, and poems. It is a transcendent topic that is relevant at any time in the history of human development. While gender norms and expectations change, the desires of partners to have a strong, lasting, and loving relationship never vanish. This paper aims to explore the theme of marriage using two couples from notable plays, Nora and Torvald from A Doll’s House (1879) and Rose and Troy from Fences (1985). The couples are similar because both of them are heterosexual, have one or more children, and follow traditional gender roles. While marriages start well at first, acts of betrayal, although of different types, contribute to spouses’ disillusionment and their ultimate breakup.

A Doll’s House explores love and marriage in great detail by illustrating the relationship between Nora and Torvald. Notably, the play aims to discover whether there can be love in marriage, which lasts a long time. At the beginning of the play, the two spouses appear to be in a happy relationship; Nora speaks lovingly of her husband, while Torvald affectionately uses pet names to refer to his wife. While their marriage has been built on love, it is still ruled by social norms and expectations, with Nora having to obey her husband and allow him to make decisions on behalf of their couple. Torvald must present to his peers as an individual who has a successful marriage with a beautiful and dutiful spouse.

Thus, as Nora goes behind her husband’s back to borrow money from Krogstad, she seemingly breaks his trust in Torvald. The family needed money for Torvald’s treatment as his doctor underlined the importance for him to be in a different place to survive. Thus, the wife decides to borrow some money to fund a year that her husband can spend in Italy. She even forges her late father’s signature for the loan because, at that time, money could only be borrowed by a man, and the whole process was socially condemned. Keeping this secret is crucial to Nora because she is sure that if it is revealed, her husband will sacrifice his reputation by taking the blame for the loan, ruining himself. Even though her husband has played the role of a reputable man who values his place in society, Nora believes that Torvald’s love for her is much stronger and more profound.

However, as everything comes to light, the wife discovers that her husband has not been playing a role but instead cares about his reputation more than anything, and he will never risk it to protect his wife. Torvald says, “I would gladly work night and day for you, Nora – bear sorrow and want for your sake. But no man would sacrifice his honor for the one he loves” (Ibsen 84). To this, Nora replies, “It is a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done” (Ibsen 84). The revelation of her husband’s true character and perspective on life causes Nora’s disillusionment with her relationship and the institution of marriage in general. The woman understands that not only does her husband not love her, but the entire structure of marriage, which is being practiced and supported by society, makes love irrelevant and sometimes impossible.

In Fences, the themes of love and marriage are illustrated in the example of Troy’s and Rose’s couple. They are married and have two sons, with the wife being ten years younger than her husband. Because of this, the younger woman sees it as her duty to obey her spouse, and most probably not only because of love but also due to the recognition that she would be nowhere without him given the position of woman in society (Rosenberger). Rose considers that it is wise to forgive her husband for his past indiscretions and faults; after all, she does love him. However, Troy ruins the marriage with his wife as he cheats with Alberta. Besides, he does not understand Rose’s desire to keep the family together because he never had a close family himself.

Although, being submissive to a powerful male character does take a toll on Rose because, as a woman, she is not expected to have any hopes and dreams. She says, “I been standing with you? I have been right here with you, Troy. I have eighteen years of my life to stand in the same spot as you. Don’t you think I ever wanted other things? Don’t you think I had dreams and hopes? What about my life?” (Wilson 165). Troy does not seem to understand the fact that being a woman and abiding by the gender norms and expectations often means swallowing her pride and living her life as her husband creates it: “But I held on to you, Troy. I took all my feelings, my wants, and needs, my dreams… and I buried them inside you” (Wilson 166). Such a gesture is seen by Troy as a given as being a wife for a woman often means not being true to who she is or wants to do in life.

The theme of disillusionment with marriage unites the relationships in both plays, and it must be the wives who are the first to understand their “mistakes.” Both Rose and Nora have played by the rules of society and acted as obedient wives who will push their desires and dreams aside for the sake of their husbands. Relying economically and socially on their husbands, Rose and Nora put their families’ needs above their own, believing that their husbands love them, explaining their negative behaviors with their male nature. Inevitably, women’s suppression of their individuality for the sake of others turned out tragically because their sacrifices were perceived as a given and were not valued.

Sadly, there are still married couples in which women’s individuality is being suppressed and overlooked. Confined to their homes, relying on their husbands, and restricted by social expectations, Rose and Nora kept their opinions to themselves without realizing that marriage is never about the oppression of one’s individuality and desires. Different situations, such as Torvald’s betrayal and Nora’s lending money, shed light on the nature of the couples’ relationship, giving wives the push to understand their values, dreams, and desires. Therefore, the relationships of both couples illustrate the need for communication, the setting of boundaries, and agreement regarding spouses’ responsibilities. Thus, a man’s role is not only to provide for his family and have a reliable reputation in society but also to value his wife’s contribution.

Works Cited

Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll’s House: And Two Other Plays. Penguin Classics, 2016.

Rosenberger, Leah. “A Close Reading of Fences: Rose and the Cult of Domesticity.” Sites UTexas, 2021, Web.

Wilson, August. Three Plays. University of Pittsburgh Press, 1991.

The primary idea behind August Wilson’s Fences script is that people’s environment shapes them, and despite the noble intentions of their parents, they might end up messing up their children’s lives. Wilson portrays this concept of identity and family through a film and play. There are significant differences between the two pieces regarding characterization, setting, film angles or camera movements, and lighting.

The first difference is that the movie has more sets compared to the consistent house-front used in the play. Characters occasionally enter the house in the movie compared to the play, which is acted at the same place throughout. However, the dialogue and spots are the same with the said characters in both creations. Secondly, regarding characterization, the movie keeps some characters off-screen, such as Alberta, who is mentioned but does not show up on set. Additionally, the movie has twisted some parts to make them more dramatic, like the scene where Rose is not shown initially as Troy talks to his son. Subsequently, this makes the audience believe that Rose is absent and later reveals that she was there.

Another similarity is that the selection of the movie cast was appropriate because they suited their character representations in the play. The characters fit their descriptions and behaviors and explained in the play. For instance, Viola Davis accurately played the role of Rose Maxson as a strong woman who holds things together despite all challenges. Additionally, the movie’s lighting was perfect as it suited the era in which the creation was based – during the 1950s. It accurately reflected the visual mood, atmosphere and era highlighted in the play. Finally, the film includes skies time-lapse and a montage to show different periods, making it more interesting to the audience. In contrast, the stage production consists of a playbill to signify the exact time passage between acts and scenes.

To conclude, the Fences movie accurately brought out the main themes of the play – family, identity, and racism. The off-screen technique gives the film a sense of life outside Troy’s house. The film maintains a sense of theatrical acts and scenes, making it dependent on the source creation without significant development. Conclusively, the movie was more enjoyable because of the actors chosen to represent the characters. One could follow through with the play and relate to the emotion they portrayed.

Troy faces significant racial and cultural isolation as a black man in a community dominated by white people. For example, in this community, a driving job is only given to white people. Thus, being an African America, he is discriminated against because of his race and cannot work as a driver (Wilson, 2022). In addition, there is a lot of inequality in the workplace as white people are assigned simple tasks such as driving jobs while their colleagues, the men of color, are given difficult tasks that involve a lot of lifting. Discrimination in the workplace promotes the issue of racial separation and makes other people identify Troy as a rebellious person. For instance, it is an embarrassing irony in the play when Troy is given a promotion to a driver position but cannot drive because he does not have a permit (Wilson, 2022). Therefore, this paper aims to determine whether Troy faces discrimination and an unfair culture or contributes to his downfall.

White recruiters and promoters evaluate players based on their skin color. Troy points out Croy as one person who limits African Americans from playing. He explains that Selkirk Gibson and Josh are nothing but a symbol of the best players and that African Americas are better baseball players. Such an example shows how skin color is not essential when choosing players because race does not determine a good player (Wilson, 2022).

Attempts by Troy to get opportunities just like Josh Gibson make him humiliated, sucking away his long-term dream of becoming a professional baseball player (Wilson, 2022). As a result, Troy becomes hopeless after being restricted from pursuing his professional dream as a baseball player. Even when a black player has better skills than a white colleague, they never give fair chances to African Americans (Wilson, 2022). In addition, chasing an academic professional instead of a professional baseball player is a sign of trauma affecting black people, unlike white students. Therefore, discrimination against Troy based on his skin color makes him a victim of cultural racism.

As a black American, people sympathize with some of his wrongdoings. For instance, his irresponsibility as a father starts at an early age when he uses his young child to make money, a symbol of an abusive association between a father and his child (Wilson, 2022). He is mistreating his children because they are raised in a black culture where poverty prevails and many life challenges. During his childhood, Troy used to work for his father’s benefit (Wilson, 2022). It is not his desire to inherit his father’s traits. However, racial differences and society have pushed him to abuse his children. Troy’s treatment as a child makes him abuse his children (Wilson, 2022). Therefore, he is a product of his surroundings and community. As a black American, Troy’s childhood experiences have been passed on to his children, making him a victim of an oppressive culture.

Conclusively, this essay has explored various ways Troy is a victim of discrimination and unfair culture and how this contributes to his downfall. Even though Troy is a good player, he is discriminated against from playing because of his color and racial background, making him drop his dream of becoming a baseball player. In addition, he faces isolation at the workplace by not being able to drive since he does not have a license, and he also mistreats his children as his father. Therefore, this makes Troy a victim of racism and culture, contributing to his downfall.

Reference

Wilson, A. (2022). Full text of “August Wilson “Fences”“. Web.

Introduction

The play ‘Fences” by August Wilson explores the delicate issue of racism by interrogating the experiences of a black family as tracked in a number of decades. The effects of racism revealed in several instances in ‘Fences’ contradicts the national ethos of the American dream.

The title of the play alludes on the boundary that exists between the whites and the blacks in the United States of America. The American dream makes it clear through its guarantee of the freedom and equality with the promise of prosperity and success as per the ability or personal achievements of every American citizen. “Fences” reveals the obstacles that the different issues of race put on the way towards the realization of the American dream by the African-Americans with a close analysis of the characters in the play.

Intersection of racism with the attainment of the American Dream in “Fences”

Throughout the two generations that are represented in the play; Troy’s and Cory’s, the experiences of the black man tend to take an important change for the better (Koprince 346). The woes of the black American however, as revealed in the tales that Troy and Boon exchange started way back and are rooted in the slavery experience of the blacks. According to the tales, when the blacks were freed, they migrated from the south towards the north where they expected to lead much better lives with plenty opportunities.

However, an obvious sense of disillusionment follows this considering that they had no resources and infrastructure to depend upon. As emphasized through Troy’s experiences as a youth, the blacks were cast into a competitive capitalistic society while they were unprepared. This explains the reason why Troy, having left his father at a tender age had to live in shanties, steal and end up in prison.

The sense of equal opportunities was not appreciable those days despite the fact that the American state had declared freedom and equality to everyone regardless of the race (Miller 44). The prison experience provides a deeper explanation as to the disproportionate number of blacks to whites in American prisons.

The fact that Troy was a skilled baseball player in his youthful days but never found him a chance to get a place in the Major League Baseball due to the color of his skin beats the essence of the American dream (Koprince 345). Despite the fact that he was skilled and could play better than most white players could in the league, Troy could not secure a favor of acceptance in the league following the regulations that were in place aimed at racially discriminating the blacks.

Troy could have used this opportunity and earned a living as well as bridge the gap by climbing up the social ladder as provided for by the American dream. However, this was not the case, as the administrators could not allow him since it was until much later when he was already aged that the league administrators started accepting black players into the teams. This discrimination as portrayed through Troy deprives the African Americans the chance of making it in life despite their abilities.

When Troy’s son Cory is given the chance to join his college football team, Troy opposes the idea and says, “The white man aint’ gonna let him get nowhere with that football” (Wilson 915). This expresses his disillusionment with the system basing his argument on the experiences he had had earlier on in his life. Troy has to work even while he is aging to provide for his family while he could have saved from his abilities as a baseball player and used the money later.

In Act One of ‘Fences”, Troy’s character as a crusader of the black American rights is revealed when he stands up against the oppressive and racially discriminative decrees at his work place. This is where he faces the company manager at his workplace and asks him why other races denied the black men a chance to drive garbage trucks but were only working as garbage lifters in the company. His courage seems portrayed in his words to his boss.

He says, “That’s all I did. I went to Mr. Rand and asked him, why? Why you got the white men’s driving and the colored lifting?” (Wilson 913). This portrays his reaction to a system that sets limits on the black man despite his capabilities. The blacks seemed subjected to handle only the menial jobs that could never see them through financially. By driving the garbage trucks, the whites were being favored at the expense of the blacks who handled more hefty duties but earned less.

The fact that the long journey towards the realization of the American dream seems to take place during the times of troy can never escape the notice of a keenly interested reader of ‘Fences’” (Koprince 349). The claim follows several changes towards the attainment of the dream where absolute freedom and the upheaval of human rights hold take place throughout the play.

For instance, Troy’s grandparents had been slaves up until when Abraham Lincoln declared the abolition of slavery. “They sold the use of their muscles and bodies. They cleaned houses and washed clothes, they shined shoes and, in quiet desperation and vengeful pride, they stole and lived in pursuit of their dreams.

That they could breathe free, finally, and stand to meet life with the force of dignity and whatever eloquence the heart could call upon. (Wilson 912). There is a major transition from slavery towards freedom portrayed in fences. This is a major step in that it was the first stepping-stone towards the realization of the dream that puts emphasis on personal liberty and freedom.

As the play continues, several changes for the better take place. These include the change in the regulations that regulated the national league baseball to start accepting black players and labor rules. However, this took a lot of time to an extent that the delay cost Troy a career that could have meant a better life for him.

Later on in Act 2, Troy wins his quest in the garbage truck driving case securing the opportunity to become the first African American to drive the garbage trucks in his town. This mirrors the reality of the time when the play is set when the black movement was holding demonstrations against the oppressive white dominated regime.

The fact that it is Troy, who secures the first opportunity, one can view it as reflecting the strategies used by the oppressive regime to silence those championing for the rights of through incentives.

Once the person leading the liberation or anti racist movement accepted bribery, the demonstrations and constant pestering ended, a case perceived as possible considering the story of the African American that Troy and his wife talks about earlier on in the play that won a lottery and completely turned against his fellow blacks and became prejudiced against his own race.

Troy says, “I seen a white fellow come in there and order a bowl of stew. Pope picked all the meat out the pot for him. Man ain’t had anything but a bowl of meat! Negro come behind him and ain’t got nothing but the potatoes and carrots” (Wilson 923). This was after the Pope had refused serving a fellow black man.

Conclusion/Importance of My Interpretation

My style of interpretation plays an important role to the Americans as it reveals the position of racism as a major barrier in their effort to realize their dream. Based on the expositions made in the paper, the promises that the American dream offers to the Americans seem delayed and counteracted by racism as portrayed in “Fences”. This stands out through a keen observation of the happenings in the play as they revolve around the lives of people in a black family.

The conditions and experiences as subjected to the African Americans seem clear through their living conditions, which contrast the aspects of the American dream of giving the people an opportunity to lead richer and fuller lives with their rights intact as their creator (Miller 90) predestines them. The simplistic setting of the play in Troy’s yard symbolizes the humble conditions of the blacks despite having had opportunities to change their lives and make them fuller and more complete (Willie 165).

Troy dies still struggling with the effects of racism despite the fact that he was born after the abolition of slavery, which did not straighten the conditions for black Americans. This reveals that the attainment of the American dream is a means to an end rather than an end in itself with the revelations of its promises occurring gradually with time.

Works Cited

Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1987.

Koprince, Susan. Baseball as history and myth in August Wilson’s Fences. African American Review 40.2 (2006): 343-356.

Willie, Harrell. The Reality of American Life Has Strayed From Its Myths. Journal of Black Studies 41 (2010): 164-183.

Wilson, August. Fences. New York: Kissinger publications, 1990.

August Wilson’s Fences raises several essential questions regarding both the lives of African American people living in the United States in the 20^th century and the family life in general. The topics elucidated in the play include racial inequality and striving to overcome it, substance abuse, conjugal infidelity, war traumatism, generation gap, disappointment, and mortality. Although each of these issues is highly significant, it is possible to single out two most pronounced reasons for Wilson’s phenomenal success in Fences. The first one is the genuine portrayal of African Americans’ position in US society in the 20^th century. The second aspect that makes the play remarkable is the allegory of the fence, which, as it turns out, the main character is trying to build both physically and indirectly.

The depiction of African Americans’ position in the 20^th-century USA is rather candid and straightforward. The two characters that are first presented to the audience – Troy and Bono – are Negro men working hard to earn their living. Both of them are married, and their spouses are housewives. Each of the family strives to make ends meet, and even Troy’s younger son, Cory, has to work to help his family survive. The first indication of the main character’s straightforwardness, which is the main factor of the play’s success, is Troy’s argument with the company boss concerning the division of labor. The two friends are employed as trash collectors, and Troy has asked the manager, “Why you got the white mens driving and the colored lifting?” (Wilson 1.1.5). The man continues with his own conclusion, “You think only white fellows got sense enough to drive a truck” (Wilson 1.1.5). The question expressed by Troy is so much more than merely an inquiry about the company rules. This question embodies many other issues related to the division of society into “black” and “white.”

The author prompts the audience to think why some jobs or positions are fit for White Americans, and others are given to African Americans only. Despite the abolition of slavery and seemingly equal rights granted to every citizen, America had long been the place of prejudiced treatment toward racial minorities. The same skeptical tone can be felt in Troy’s opinion about his son’s chances to succeed in football. Having had a sad experience in the baseball league, Troy is utterly disappointed with the system that leaves no prospects to Negro boys. He says that a “colored guy got to be twice as good” as a White one to be able to get on the team (Wilson 1.3.37). Troy seems to be generally disappointed with the division of society into Whites and non-Whites. Such discouragement is revealed in the man’s opinion on a person’s ability to provide for his family, to participate in recreational or professional sports activities, and even to fulfill any of the dreams one has. If a person is African American, according to the main character, he or she can only sustain a living but not be happy.

The illumination of the problems of African Americans is the first notion leading to the play’s phenomenal success. The second one, not less important, is the allegory of the fence in the play. The first time the audience comes across this concept is already in the title, where it is used in the plural form. Later, one realizes that plurality refers not to the number of structures surrounding a piece of land but to a variety of defensive mechanisms and emotional barriers existing between the characters and their personal fears. This symbolization of the fence is what makes the play’s essence so deep and multi-faceted. For Rose, the fence symbolizes the division between her family and the outer world: the woman wants to protect her family from affairs and unfriendly strangers (though unsuccessfully). For Troy, the fence means feigned protection from death, which he is afraid of despite boasting to have met it and “wrassled” with it (Wilson 1.1.13). For Gabe, the fence represents an opportunity to live in his own little world, where he imagines himself to be an angel that is helping Saint Peter to perform his duties.

Throughout the play, a keen reader can notice indications of the peculiarities that led to its phenomenal success. The characters are in a constant process of building fences around them. Whether successfully or not, each of them is trying to receive protection from the calamities of society in which they are forced to exist. One of the most evident reasons for self-preservation is being Black in a predominantly white community. These two aspects – the depiction of African Americans’ hardships on the way to gaining equality and the multi-functionalism of the fence allegory – make Wilson’s play so phenomenologically successful. The literary piece is righteously considered as an exceptionally impressive one.

Work Cited

Wilson, August. Fences. 1985.