Fences Symbolism

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Finally, the fence symbolizes his lack of responsibility and commitment. In the play, Troy seems uncommitted in building the fence―a perfect example of himself. After Troy and Rose end the discussion about Gabriel moving with Miss Pearl, a lady near the neighborhood, Troy begins to head out, but Rose stops him, asking him, “Where you going off to? You been running out of here every Saturday for weeks. I though you was gonna work on this fence?” (2078). Every Friday, Troy tells Rose he spends his afternoon at Taylors’, but in reality, he’s with Alberta. He almost never commits himself to his marriage with Rose. Troy acts quite hypocritical when he tells Rose she was “the only decent thing that ever happened” to him, yet he went off with another

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