August Wilson Play Summary

AME: Gonzales Kristina CLASS: Theatre II P.D.2 PSO# EXTRA CREDIT
GENRE: Dramatic ACTS: 3 PAGES: 128
PLAY TITLE: Fences AUTHOR: August Wilson
I. EXPOSITION
A. SETTING
1. TIME: 1950s
2. PLACE: Pittsburgh. The play is set in the dirt yard of the Maxson house. We're told that it's a two-story brick house, set off a back alley. Two junky chairs sit on a porch that's in bad need of a paint job.
3. MOOD: The mood of the story is heightened, dark, and universal. Wilson's characters seem bigger than themselves. They seem to represent not just themselves, but all African Americans, and all people.
B. CHARACTERS
1. PROTAGONIST: Troy Maxson and Cory Maxson
2. ANTAGONIST: Society/ Troy’s beliefs.
3. CONFIDANTE: Rose Maxson
4. DECIDING AGENT: Troy Maxson,

God.
C.

ANTECEDENT EVENTS:
II. CONFLICT: (MAN VS. MAN OR SOCIETY, MAN VS. NATURE, MAN VS. SELF)
Man VS Man Cory VS his father Troy and their opposing views on Cory’s future. Man VS Self: Troy VS his self because everything is in the dumps for him, he is loosing his son and his family is falling apart. and Man VS Society This whole thing started because of how Troy saw that people are racist and did not want his son going into football as a profession because of racism.
III. CRISIS: (TURNING POINT – A DISCOVERY/DECISION IS MADE)
Troy lose his mistress and his wife, and his best friend, Bono. It seems like Bono is really disappointed in Troy for having the affair. Troy has also had Gabriel put away in a mental hospital.
IV. CLIMAX: (POINT OF HIGHEST INTEREST)
The play comes to a climax when Troy and Cory go at each other with a baseball bat. Though Troy wins the fight, he loses his son forever.
V. RESOLUTION: The resolution occurs in the last scene which is years later. It happens at Troy’s funeral. Cory is there in a military uniform, he almost didn’t come but his mom convinced him to come. Raynell and Cory sing their dead father a song. Next we see Gabriel trying to blow his trumpet so the gates of heaven open for his brother. They do

open.
Which character would you want to play? Why?
I would only be able to play Rose, her being the only girl in the play that isn’t a baby.
What do you believe is the message the playwright is trying to convey? (WHY?)
I believe that the message the playwright is trying to convey is that you should think about the consequences before going through it. It shows how badly things can go.
Why did you choose this play?
I love dramatic plays and this one caught my eye at the library. I needed extra credit badly so I decided to read this.
What was your favorite moment in the play? Explain.
My favorite moment in the play was the very last scene. I loved seeing Gabriel trying to blow his horn for his brother. I loved how despite his brother throwing him in a mental hospital, Gabriel still tried to get the gates of heaven to open for Troy.
What moment in the play do you not agree with? Why?
I did not like how troy wouldn’t let his son go do what he loves and is best at for work. He had an opportunity to do it yet his father wouldn’t let him. However I wouldn’t want this to change because it made the play what is was.
Would you recommend this play to someone else to read? Why?
Yes, I would definitely recommend this play to a friend. It was very interesting and enjoyable. I loved the storyline and read it in a day, thats how much I enjoyed it.