The Fence For Rose: Poem Analysis

573 Words2 Pages

The fence for Rose symbolizes the protection and nurturing feelings she offers. It’s a positive figurative symbol, showing what type of person she is―someone who cares for others. One morning, Rose was hanging clothes and singing, “Jesus, be a fence all around me every day. Jesus, I want you to protect me as I travel on my way” (2074). Seemingly, the choice of song that she selects demonstrates the protection that she’s willing to offer for her family. Rose asks Troy to build her a fence, and Troy does not understand why. One afternoon when Cory and Troy are building the fence, Cory asks why her mother wishes for a fence and Troy responds, “Damn if I know either. What the hell she keeping out with it? She ain’t got nothing nobody want,” meaning …show more content…

Troy and Lyons get in a heated argument and Rose attempts to end the argument by telling Troy, “Let the boy have ten dollars, Troy” which indeed helps (2073). Even though Rose is not Lyons’ mother, she cares for him enough to interfere in the dispute and not just stand there and observe their verbal fight. Also, when Troy gets mad at Cory, Rose tries to calm Troy. For example, when Troy scolds Cory for quitting his job at the A&P store and tells him to get it back, Rose asks Troy, “Why don’t you let the boy go ahead and play football?” (2083). She cares for Cory and wishes him to pursue a career in life that he greatly enjoys. Finally, when the police arrest Gabriel, Rose tells Cory, “I’ll talk to [Troy] when he gets back. He had to go see about you Uncle Gabe” (2093). Rose is concerned about Gabriel. Not only does she offer her nurturing feelings to relatives but to others as well. While holding Alberta’s baby girl in his arms, Troy asks Rose to accept him and his child, knowing Alberta dies. Rose, the motherly figure and compassionate woman tells Troy, “Okay, Troy you’re right. I’ll take care of your baby for you cause like you say she’s innocent and you can’t visit the sins of the father upon the child”

Open Document