Fences

Fences was written in 1985 by August Wilson. Wilson mostly wrote about the condition of African Americans in the 20th century. In fact he wrote a ten plays know as the "Pittsburg Cycle". Nine of the ten plays were set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. each play was about the African American condition in a different decade of the 20th century. Two of these plays, Fences and The Piano Lesson, each received a Pulitzer Prize. August Wilson also wrote six additional plays.

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?