Fences August Wilson Analysis

914 Words2 Pages

“Fences”

“Fences,” created by August Wilson, depicts an African American family pushing through life in Pittsburgh, 1957. The family seems very close-knit on the surface, but is later revealed to be tense and dictated by a resentful Troy Maxson. Troy’s character can be analyzed as many different things: manipulative, abusive, indignant, and illiterate only to name a few. In Act II, Scene I, Troy’s friend, Bono, gives him guilt about stepping out on his wife, Rose, and Troy admits that he will soon be a father. Some may argue that Troy’s deliverance of this news and the argument that follows serves as the climax of the play. As the denouement proceeds, Cory and Rose each handle this news in different ways. The issue is resolved because each …show more content…

After this, we see Cory’s anger finally begin to boil and evaporate his fear. Cory takes his stand when he comes outside to see Troy hold Rose against her will. After this incident, the audience begins to see that Cory is no longer afraid of Troy. In Act II, Scene IV, Troy is sitting on the steps drunk when Cory needs to get by. Cory says, “I ain’t got to say excuse me to you. You don’t count around here no more.” (Pg. 85) On stage, we see the actors in a tense stare off while they measure up one another. When Troy shoves Cory down, there is a lot of symbolism in how dirty Cory becomes; his jeans become covered in dirt and it mirrors the shame and discomfort he feels for attempting to stand up against his own demon, Troy. However, instead of staying on the ground, Cory is quick to stand up again. This reflects how Cory is tired of being pushed down mentally by Troy and is ready to stand up as independent. All of Troy’s previous acts of aggression aligned with Cory’s ideal image of a father, however, the act of cheating on Rose did not. Upon this action, Cory lost respect for Troy in a similar way to how Troy loses respect for his own father (Pgs. 50-53). Cory always seems to be searching for a reason to stand up to Troy, and the strong bond between Cory and Rose overcame Cory’s need to feel respect toward his father. Cory deals …show more content…

In summation, each character uses the news as a justification to treat Troy with aggression and disrespect, which he treated them with for almost eighteen years. Cory resolves the news by discovering his own personal strength and identity. Rose resolves the news by calling off their relationship and taking care of Raynell because she sees it as morally correct (and not because Troy wanted her to). The tale of “Fences” is very complex and exemplifies many different types of relationships. From an audience’s perspective, it gives off a very strong message and can relate to many different kinds of people. If someone needed to consult their moral compass and find a mother’s love, they would look to Rose. If a person were seeking out a dream and needed to stand up to obstacles, they could look to Cory. If a particular audience member was prone to bad attitudes and sinful temptations, they could identify with Troy and be warned by his story. There is a small initiative to be a better person for everyone in this play. The wholesomeness and sense of family that an audience can find in “Fences” is one that exemplifies how life is complicated and a little bit different for

Open Document