Prejudice And Racism Exposed In Fences, By August Wilson

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Playwrights write plays in order to show stuff happening in the world that people may not see. August Wilson helped society change for the better by showing how it's necessary to not pursue social norms in order to get a better life style. August Wilson grew up struggling with poverty, bullying, and racism. He grew up with a African American mother and German immigrant father. Wilson lived in a very small poor household in Pittsburgh. While in school Wilson delt with a lot of “bigotry from his classmates at Central Catholic High School, he [then] transferred to Connelly Vocational High School, and later [transfered] to Gladstone High School” (Wilson Biography). Wilson growing up with these struggles helped him pursue his love for becoming a playwright to help express his voice. Wilson’s play Fences uses the theme …show more content…

In the play “all the characters are African American, and they must deal with racism everyday” (Fences Themes). Wilson makes his characters lifestyles harsh as though it was for African Americans growning up. The theme racism is also expressed in the play by having the main character Troy experience unfairness because of his race. Troy is appearntley “not fit to play professional sports [because] his skin is too dark”(Kiffer). Wilson also uses the theme dreams, hopes and plans in the play Fences. Troy’s dream was to play professional baseball but “had his dreams taken from him” due to racism (Fences Themes). Troy not pursuing his dream made him not let his son pursue his dream of playing college football. Cory his son had to find a new dream due to his dad not letting him pursue his dream. According to Kiffer

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