Fences was written about the 1950's. It was written to show that even though America is supposed to be a country where everyone has an equal chance "all men" are not "created equal". The play tells the story of one man, Troy Maxon, who grapples with this truth and the subsequent decisions he makes.
Discussion Questions:
1. Does Troy keep Cory in order to keep Cory from making the same mistakes he did, or is he just jealous of Cory's potential?
2. Why does Troy allow Lyons to play music when he dos not allow Cory to play football?
3. What do you think happened to Trow when he "wrestled with Death for three days and three nights" (14)?
4. What does Gabriel mean when he says "better get ready for judgement" (29)?
5. Why doesn't Rose leave Troy after she knows that Troy had a baby with another woman?
6. What does Troy really mean to the family? Is he really a cornerstone of the family? If so, what will happen to the family now that Troy is dead?
7. What does the metaphor of the fence mean? How does it apply to the lives of each character?
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ReplyDelete7. Bono tells Cory and Troy that "some people build fences to keep people out and other people build fences to keep people in." I think the fences are meant for just that, to keep them all together. I think the play is suppose to signify the "not so picture perfect family" in this time era and how they live. I feel like the fence restricts Troy. He feels tied down to a certain role and want's to be freed from the pressures and expectations of his household. I feel like Rose is always trying to hold things together, so in her life, the fence symbolizes the need to hold everyone in near her.
ReplyDelete2. Since Lyons does not live under Troy's roof, Troy doesn't feel responsible for him. Troy can get away with fulfilling his fatherly duties to Lyons by lending him money. He's okay with this because Lyons always pays him back. On the other hand, Cory is younger and still lives with Troy. If Cory moved out, he'd have no where to go. He's stuck there, and as long as he's there he has to do what Troy wants him to do.
ReplyDeleteDoes Troy keep Cory in order to keep Cory from making the same mistakes he did, or is he just jealous of Cory's potential?
ReplyDeleteI think it's both; Troy isn't a dumb man nor is his son Cory. Wheher it looks like it or not, the man cares (believe me, I know). I think that deep down insie, he does love Cory and no REAL father or mother for that matter wants to see their child/children fail at anything they like to do. I haven't had my heart broken, but I know from experience (from the other side of the spectrum) that it hurts and no one sane likes pain.On the other hand, I think that Troy is kind of jealous Cory, not so much for what he could be but just because he has that opportunity. Troy never got a chance to be what he could've been, so why should his son be what he should've been.
Why doesn't Rose leave Troy after she knows that Troy had a baby with another woman?
Ok, I understand why everyone says that she's crazy for staying with him and all that but we have to remember, this isn't now, that was then. To make this brief, where America is today and where it was then contrast drastically. Back in the gap, love was love and Rose loved Troy as he did she. I know the excuse for the affair was lame but honestly people, who doesn't get bored? At the end of the day, we make up or break up. It's as simple as that and Troy cameback to her anyway. Love; what can I say, it's incredible.
What does the metaphor of the fence mean? How does it apply to the lives of each character?
We all know that what Bono said was right, "Some people build fences to keep people out an other people build fences to keep people in." This is true, but I think there's more to Fences than just that. I believe the "white-picket fence" theory too, but while reading the play, I knew it wasn't going to happen. The world was passing these people by, but these people represented the entire African-American race. No offense, but white people's dreams and black people's dreams weren't the same back then because we weren't the same. Anyway, I think the title was also significant because each person had a fence around them the entire play...and all of their yards were intruded. Cory couldn't take it anymore, Rose was fed up and Death finally came inside to take Troy. I think there may have been some baseball relevance too because Troy died swinging the bat in the backyard (probablly the way he wanted to go out) and I know old commentators at baseball games would say things like "Aim for the fences," when Babe or Hank or somebody big came up to bat.