fences

Jackie Robinson broke the Major League Baseball color barrier in 1947. Before this historic moment, lots of talented African-American baseball players starred in what was called the Negro Leagues. It was many of these athletes dream to someday play in the MLB, but not until Jackie Robinson did any of them get to realize this dream. What is often lost in this tale of bravery and change, is that it was too late for some Negro league greats such as Buck Leonard or Josh Gibson. Fences by August Wilson, introduces another man who just missed on the Major Leagues.

Troy Maxson was a talented Negro league player who never made it to the Major Leagues because of the race barrier. By the time the barrier was broken , Troy was 43, and his skill had deteriorated significantly. Only the great Satchel Paige managed to make the move to the Majors over the age of 40. Paige would even play when he was 59 years old. Satchel Paige was a pitcher, Troy, a speedy slugger, lost much more with age than Paige did. Troy’s failure to make it to the MLB affected those around him and himself, for the rest of his life. His son, Cory, wants to play college football and is being recruited by a prestigious school. Troy fears his son will face the same trials and tribulations he faced, and opposes Cory playing any sport at a high level. This is selfish of Troy to hold back his son because of his own past. Troy’s past is the general influence baseball has in Fences but there are many other aspects that can be symbolized by the game of baseball. This paper will analyze Fences through the framework of a baseball game or season and point out actions in the play that could be symbolized by baseball actions.The entire play is represented by a game of baseball. Each cha...

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...nager and pitcher has finally left, if not on his own accord. God has taken over the game for Troy, and finishes for him through Gabriel. The last scene of Fences, where Cory realizes after some convincing from Rose, that he should attend his father’s funeral, represents some closure for Troy. Gabriel attempts to send Troy off to heaven the way he’s dreamt it should be, but to no avail. This is the last representation of Troy’s inability to be what others needed him to be. He was never the father, husband, or brother he should have been. God steps in, and allows Troy to pass into heaven through the light shining down. This is not for Troy, but for his team, to show them that the game is not lost despite a poor start from Troy. A pitcher can have a terrible game, but if the offense and bullpen pull together, the baseball game can still be won, even in the 9th inning.