Fences By August Wilson: Literary Analysis
Throughout a piece of literature, the reader learns the theme of the writing by the many elements put forth by the author. The title, the characters, and their conflicts can set the overall theme of the writing. The play Fences by August Wilson has multiple themes but one that stands out is the theme of a person’s journey to overcome struggle. The theme can be interpreted by the reader through its main character Troy. Troy grew up in a different world than we live in today. A world filled with segregation and hate. Throughout Troy’s life, he overcomes many challenges but still everyday tries to push towards a better life. Although Troy lives in a world where he feels he does not belong, he gains a much better understanding of why Rose wants
…show more content…
After reading the play Fences, one learns about the struggle for African Americans during the time period of the Civil Rights era. In Rose's eyes, the purpose of the fence is not to keep others out, but to keep her family in close to her. Troy learns from Bono that the purpose of them building the fence for Rose is to keep him home rather than keeping others away. Bono tells him, “Some people build fences to keep people out… and other people build fences to keep people in. Rose wants to hold on to you all. She loves you” (2.1. 27-29). Because of Troy's past of experiencing people constantly pushing him back, he struggles to understand why someone now wants to hold him in. It shows later in the play when Troy uses the fence to keep Cory out. Troy and Cory get into their final fight and Cory says “Tell Mama I’ll be back for my things” (2.4.96). His only response is “They’ll be on the other side of that fence” (2.5.97). All his life Troy struggles with making it over obstacles and now he is letting it out by doing the same thing to …show more content…
One’s journey to overcome struggle. That is exactly what Troy did. Troy’s entire life is his journey and he hits many struggles along the way that stop him in his tracks, but he never gives up. In the end, his struggles feed his bad behavior like betraying his own family by cheating on his wife and also him not getting along with his son Cory, but overall he works towards overcoming his troubled past. The title Fences is not just talking about the fence that is being built outside, but all the struggles that Troy runs into during his life and how he overcomes
After reading the play Fences, one learns about the struggle for African Americans during the time period of the Civil Rights era. In Rose's eyes, the purpose of the fence is not to keep others out, but to keep her family in close to her. Troy learns from Bono that the purpose of them building the fence for Rose is to keep him home rather than keeping others away. Bono tells him, “Some people build fences to keep people out… and other people build fences to keep people in. Rose wants to hold on to you all. She loves you” (2.1. 27-29). Because of Troy's past of experiencing people constantly pushing him back, he struggles to understand why someone now wants to hold him in. It shows later in the play when Troy uses the fence to keep Cory out. Troy and Cory get into their final fight and Cory says “Tell Mama I’ll be back for my things” (2.4.96). His only response is “They’ll be on the other side of that fence” (2.5.97). All his life Troy struggles with making it over obstacles and now he is letting it out by doing the same thing to …show more content…
One’s journey to overcome struggle. That is exactly what Troy did. Troy’s entire life is his journey and he hits many struggles along the way that stop him in his tracks, but he never gives up. In the end, his struggles feed his bad behavior like betraying his own family by cheating on his wife and also him not getting along with his son Cory, but overall he works towards overcoming his troubled past. The title Fences is not just talking about the fence that is being built outside, but all the struggles that Troy runs into during his life and how he overcomes