Symbolism In Fences

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"

but even that doesn’t stop her from trying to grow. She knew that she wasn’t growing with Troy and that she was only stuck, but she stayed because that’s the kind of woman she is. Her love and compassion kept her in place. Originally Troy presented her with the opportunity of growth and building a family, but it slowly dwindled into her being stuck at home. Rose stayed with Troy and raised the baby he had with his mistress. Rose explains to Raynell, "You just have to give it a chance. It'll grow" this shows the patience and love that she had throughout the entire play. Rose is stuck like a flower only growing in one spot. She is stationary much of the time. Troy stunted her growth, but she loved him and refused to let their family fall apart. Wilson uses a garden to portray the metaphor of hard work and patience allows a person to grow and become someone strong and beautiful. Rose has become a beautiful and strong character.
Rose was the only thing keeping Troy from going mad. Her loving nature kept Troy softened and lessened his temper. She uses planting as a metaphor for life, "I took all my feelings, my wants and needs, my dreams…and I buried them inside you." She is the counterpart to Troy's destructive nature. Rose keeps her family together and teaches Raynell and Cory to stay away from their father's aggressive fits and how to love and forgive others. Rose is the glue holding the family together and without her everyone would fall apart. She is the one who helps everyone grow and become a better person even though her growth is cut down by Troy. Rose has become the gardener and is nurturing everyone else's growth. She was never the wronged wife who cried and let her husband destroy her. Rose took what was given to her and made sure to make the best out of it. She might not have been able to grow with Troy, but she wasn’t going to let that stop her kids from growing.