Symbolism In Fences

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Plays by August Wilson contain a lot of complex characters who are all looking to find a piece of themselves. His play Fences is no exception because it contains a dominant idea about flowers and their symbolism of growth. His flower metaphors come to symbolize both progress and development, because it materializes Rose's character and advances her development throughout the play.
Rose, who is quite literally named after a flower, is a loving wife who is patient with her husband and is always understanding. She exemplifies growth in more ways than one. Rose is always patient and kind even in difficult circumstances, "I planted myself inside you and waited to bloom... but I held on to you, Troy." She describes Troy's soil as "hard and rocky"

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