Symbolism In The Play Fences By August Wilson

Having knowledge of the historical context in which a play or story takes place is a significant factor when interpreting the story itself. Without having the knowledge of the historical context, the stories impact could be immensely misconstrued. Historical context refers to the beliefs, conditions, knowledge, attitudes and moods that existed in a certain period of time in history. In the play “Fences” by August Wilson, the setting and themes of the play are directly related to the civil rights movement that take place mainly throughout the 1950’s and 60’s; the civil rights movements were a worldwide series of political movements for equality. The setting, characters, and symbolisms used in the play “Fences” are directly related to the historical

context in the 1950’s and 60’s.
The play is stated to take place starting in 1957 which is a significant time during the civil rights movement. A vast amount of protests, conflicts and debates were a major factor during the setting of “Fences.” Racial discrimination was at an all time high during the early to mid 1900’s. A significant factor in the civil rights movement was the Montgomery Bus Boycott in the year 1955 through 1956 which coincides with the time in history when “Fences” takes place. “Although Parks and King were members of the NAACP, the Montgomery movement led to the creation in 1957 of a new regional organization, the clergy-led Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) with King as its president (History.com Staff. “Civil Rights Movement”).” The strides to create equal rights and opportunities for African Americans and women were beginning to make improvements in the lives of American citizens regardless of color or sex. A huge factor to consider is the fact that Troy Maxson, a main character in “Fences,” is already in his early to mid fifties at these times of progress. The understanding of the historical context of the civil rights movement gave a vivid depiction of what the different generations of characters in the play had to endure and why their actions were as such.
The characters in the play fences are molded by the factors that take place throughout the civil rights movement. Take the main character Troy Maxson for example, an African American man who had become a garbage man for a majority of his life to support his family. The struggles and disadvantages African Americans had to endure at the time of Troy growing up played a significant factor in his characters bitterness and struggle portrayed by the author, August Wilson. Now in his fifties, the play states that Troy had an apparent talent playing baseball in his younger years and had aspirations of playing in the Major Leagues. Troy Maxson’s character is molded by these factors stated prior because of the historical context of racial divide in which the play takes place. “He was born too soon, however, for that dream to be possible: By the time Jackie Robinson was playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Troy was in his mid-forties” (Williams). Troy’s character is portrayed as a spiteful, depressed, and bitter person because of his missed opportunities in baseball and what his life has become considering those missed opportunities.
“Jackie Robinson made history in 1947 when he broke baseball’s color barrier to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers. A talented and versatile player, Robinson won the National League Rookie of the Year award his first season, and helped the Dodgers to the National League championship – the first of his six trips to the World Series. In 1949 Robinson won the league MVP award, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962” (History.com Staff. “Jackie Robinson.” History.com).
Although there was a Negro baseball league that Troy had opportunities in, he chose to turn to crime for income and in turn was caught and incarcerated for the prime of his baseball career. It wasn’t until, “Robinson officially integrated major league baseball by manning first base for the Dodgers on April 15, 1947” (History.com Staff. “Negro League Baseball”). African Americans were not given the same rights and opportunities as other races during the setting and prior to the setting of the play. The missed opportunities and denied rights produced a struggle for many African Americans to provide a suitable life for themselves or their families.
“The set description provides several clues to the heart of Troy Maxson's character.”Fences" takes place in the front yard of Troy's "ancient two-story brick house." The house is a source of both pride and shame for Troy He is proud to provide a home for his family. He is also ashamed because he realizes that the only way he could afford the house is through his brother (a mentally unstable WWII veteran) and the disability checks he receives because of it. (Bradford).”
Although Troy’s work ethic, his pride, and drive to take care of his family are all excellent traits to posses, his relationships with his family suffer. The bitterness and depression that Troy develops is in resulting from the fact that he had an enormous opportunity to start his life off great in baseball. All of that was taken away from him because of the racial divide at the point in history he had grown up in during this play. Basically, Troy takes out all of his frustrations and depression out on his sons and wife. Troy makes sure that everyone knows how negative and real the world is and degrades any accomplishment his sons acquire. When Troy’s son Cory gets recruited for football, Troy seems to be uninterested and shows no happiness for his son. Instead, Troy gripes to Cory about how he has been running off without having done his chores that he was told to do.
“Cory: Papa done went up to the school and told Coach Zellman I can’t play football no more. Wouldn’t even let me play the game. Told him to tell the recruiter not to come…Cory: Why you wanna do that to me? That was the one chance I had…Troy: The boy lied to me. I told the nigger if he wanna play football…to keep up with his chores and hold down that job at A&P. That was the conditions” (Wilson 1055).
Troy had shot down his son’s chance at playing football in front of a college recruiter which could have possibly derived from Troy’s bitterness of having missed the opportunity to play baseball in college or the Major Leagues. He hasn’t realized that times have changed and the generation following him will have more opportunities than what he had growing up. In turn, Troy has ended up as a garbage man, barely living a life in his eyes. All due to the suppressions the “white man” has brought on him at the time of this play. Troy feels slighted and bitter towards the life he has ended up with because of the historical context.
Many authors create symbolisms in their writing to create a depth of their story, or play in this case.

A few symbolisms used in the play “Fences” have a significant role in the meaning of the story, the characters, and the setting. For instance, for nearly two decades, Troy worked from the back of the garbage truck as many African American’s did for this job. A friend of Troy’s, named Bono, also worked at the back of the garbage truck alongside him. Together, they hauled junk throughout the neighborhoods and alleyways of Pittsburg. Troy wanted and demanded more from his employers. He sought to question why there were so many white drivers and a majority of African Americans at the back of the truck lifting the garbage. Due to the racism of white employers, and union members, asking for a promotion was a tough thing to do. Although a daunting task at the time, Troy finally sought a promotion after growing tired of the unfairness of the job. He is awarded the promotion regardless of the time in history when racial discrimination was arguably at its highest. “However, this creates a solitary occupation, distancing himself from Bono and other friends (and perhaps symbolically separating himself from his African-American community)” (Bradford). The symbolism of Troy growing apart from the African American community is to show the growth of racial fairness in the workforce during this time in history. Also to show how Troy had become less of a hateful man because he attained a

job that was intended for a “white man.”
Baseball was a factor of symbolism throughout the play in entirety.

Troy relates everything that happens or has happened in his life to baseball. At the beginning of the script, an important prop was shown to have significance later on in the play. This prop was a baseball bat that leans against a tree. During an argument later on in the play, Cory picks up the bat and swings at his father, Troy. When he Bullies his son Cory, he warns him: “Troy: You swung and you missed. That’s strike one. Don’t you strike out!” (Wilson). Interpreting this action as, if you swing, you better hit the ball and don’t look back or else you will lose the game. Possibly meaning if he swings the bat at him, Cory better not miss or else he will be punished severely. Baseball serves as Troy's main way of explaining his actions. When he talks about facing death, he uses baseball terminology, comparing a face-off with the grim reaper to a duel between a pitcher and a batter” (Bradford). Many of Troy’s analogies in life (in the play) derive from his knowledge and experiences in

baseball.
Many times, a story has a significant meaning the author wants to portray to their readers or audience. Having the knowledge of the historical context for the story can make or break that message or meaning being received by the intended audience. Multiple factors throughout stories have connections to certain times and events that take place in history all over the world. Understanding the historical context of a story is crucial when interpreting characters, a setting, and symbolisms used, especially in the play “Fences.”