The following essay tries to critically analyse the action and plot of " Fences" by Augsut Wilson. Troy, a former criminal and unsuccessful although talented baseball player, now family father and garbage collector who slowly drinks himself to death, cheats on his wife, fathers little girl (half-orphan), and expels son Cory from his house. He fences his home in to prevent Death from getting at what is his, symbolically erecting fences between his family members, and finally surrenders to Death right under his “family tree” baseball in the yard, when he noticed that he has lost everything in life.
In this spirit, the hero of the story, family father Troy Maxson (53 years old; a reformed criminal), is a garbage collector and a frustrated, previously unsuccessful baseball player. He has dedicated all his pride and work to the support of his family, consisting of his wife Rose (43), a 34-year-old son from a previous marriage (Lyons, a jobless musician), a 17-year-old son (Cory, a wannabe football player) from his marriage with Rose, and a mentally disturbed brother (Gabriel) who had received a head wound in the Korean War, and whom Troy cares for since he has “defalcated” his allowance to buy himself a house.
He means no harm, but against the warnings of his true friend Bono, he commits adultery and fathers a child, whom his wife adopts when she hears that its mother died in childbirth – but from that moment on, their trusting marriage is destroyed, and she even refuses to speak to him. He, on the other hand, stagnates and refuses to acknowledge the changes that have taken place since he was a baseball player, and now that his younger son wants to become a football player, he intrigues against him and causes him to lose his place on the team. Troy likewise does not understand his older son, in whom he sees the constant money-borrower, although he always pays back.
While his wife Rose wants him to build a fence around the house, to keep within her walls the people she loves, Troy erects higher and higher fences between himself and the other family members. The conflict escalates in a violent confrontation between Troy and Cory, who are very much alike, and the father banishes the son from "his" house. When Troy finally notices that everything slipped out of his hands, he challenges Death to come within his fences and get him – and that’s what he does, in the form of a stroke or heart attack, while Troy strikes the baseball hanging from his tree.
Table of Contents
1. Title of Text and Author
2. Set of Key Characters
3. Setting
4. Plot Line
5. Theme:
6. Character Analysis: Troy
Objectives and Topics
This critical analysis explores August Wilson’s play "Fences," focusing on the complex character dynamics, the central metaphor of physical and emotional barriers, and the tension between generational trauma and the pursuit of individual identity within the African American experience.
- The role of "fences" as both protective barriers and symbols of isolation.
- The father-son conflict between Troy and Cory Maxson.
- The influence of racial history and the pursuit of the American Dream.
- Troy Maxson’s struggle with mortality and his use of baseball metaphors.
- The resilient role of Rose Maxson and the impact of infidelity on family structure.
Excerpt from the Book
Character Analysis: Troy
A severe father, Troy demands absolute respect from his son Cory before himself as embodiment of authority: “Nigger, as long as you in my house, you put that sir on the end of it when you talk to me!” (37) This kind of behavior rather bears resemblance with the airs and graces of high society white people than with the customs of a Black garbage collector. This is his self-authentication.
Troy is appalled that his son dares to lie at him about working on the weekends, while in reality he has given up his job completely in order to practice for his football games. As a director, Troy wants his son to earn good money to lead a decent life like he is trying to do himself. Since he had a criminal background, he wants the contrary for his son. But his exertion of power also renders Troy an oppressor: “I’m the boss… you understand? I’m the boss around here. I do the only saying what counts.” (36) Ironically, his older son also chooses the path of a minor criminal.
Troy does not treat his own brother any better. Gabriel is a harmless lunatic after having received a head wound in the Korean War, and is just needed as the final inaudible trumpeter at his brother’s funeral, so that St. Peter can open the heavenly gates to let Troy in.
Summary of Chapters
1. Title of Text and Author: Identifies the primary work as the 1985 edition of "Fences" by August Wilson.
2. Set of Key Characters: Lists the central figures including Troy, Rose, Cory, and others involved in the play's dramatic arc.
3. Setting: Describes the time period from 1957 to 1965 in a run-down Pittsburgh neighborhood where the action takes place.
4. Plot Line: Provides a synopsis of Troy Maxson’s life, his failures, his relationships with his family, and his eventual confrontation with death.
5. Theme: Analyzes the dichotomy between worldly father-son conflicts and the spiritual implications of the barriers Troy creates, often expressed through baseball metaphors.
6. Character Analysis: Troy: Examines Troy Maxson’s dual identity as a provider and an oppressor, highlighting his struggle with authority and his complicated relationships with his sons and brother.
Keywords
Fences, August Wilson, Troy Maxson, father-son conflict, baseball metaphors, African American experience, family dynamics, Death, Pittsburgh, 1957, racial prejudice, legacy, responsibility, Rose Maxson, Cory Maxson.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this analysis?
The paper provides a critical examination of August Wilson's play "Fences," focusing on the protagonist Troy Maxson and the symbolic barriers he constructs within his family.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the generational conflict between father and son, the struggle against systemic inequality, the definition of familial duty, and the confrontation with mortality.
What is the main research focus regarding Troy Maxson?
The analysis aims to understand how Troy’s past failures as a baseball player and his trauma shape his authoritarian behavior and his inability to foster intimate connections with his family.
Which methodology does the author use?
The author employs a literary analysis approach, utilizing specific textual evidence, character dialogue, and existing secondary literature to interpret the play's symbolism and social context.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The body covers the plot development, the characterization of the Maxson family members, the symbolic function of "fences," and the overarching impact of history on the characters' lives.
Which keywords define this analysis?
Key terms include Fences, Troy Maxson, father-son conflict, generational trauma, responsibility, and systemic inequality.
How does Troy use baseball to conceptualize his life?
Troy consistently uses baseball jargon to interpret his experiences, viewing his life's obstacles and his eventual confrontation with Death as if they were plays on a baseball field.
What role does the character of Gabriel play in the narrative?
Gabriel is characterized as a mentally disturbed brother whose presence highlights Troy's failures as a caregiver and his complex, sometimes exploitative, relationship with his own kin.
Why does Rose choose to adopt Troy’s illegitimate daughter?
Rose accepts the responsibility of raising the child to protect its innocence and maintain family continuity, despite her profound disillusionment with Troy's infidelity.
What is the significance of the "fence" metaphor at the end of the play?
The fence symbolizes both the protective walls Troy tries to build around his family and the emotional isolation that ultimately destroys their trust, until the final reconciliation at his funeral.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Christina Voss (married Lyons) (Author), 2006, "Fences" By August Wilson. A Critical Analysis, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1132994
