Fences Study Questions
English 11 Spring 2014
Fences Study Guide
Act I, Scene 1
1. What year is it? 1957
2. Describe Troy Maxson. Wants to be treated the way her treats others. Honest but bitter. Strong and resembles the time period. Not afraid to question society. Large man. No filter, says what he thinks, not afraid of offending others. Has some common sense.
3. Describe Bono. Good friend, loyal. Known Troy for about 30 years. Live close to each other. Loyal husband to Lucile. Treats Lucile w respect.
4. Why are people calling Troy a “troublemaker”? Went to his boss, asking why there were African Americans working there. He asks a lot of questions.
5. Describe Rose. Troy’s wife. She doesn’t take any crap, but not in the same way as Troy. Nicer to Bono. She keeps her house in order. Likes to save money.
6. Do you think Troy has been faithful to Rose? Why or why not? No bc he acts like he is keeping something from her and is distant or emotionally detached.
7. Who is Cory? Describe him. Why does Troy not want him to pursue football? Troy and Rose’s son. Has a chance at football scholarship. Doesn’t want him to pursue bc he doesn’t think the white man will let him touch the ball.
8. Troy states that “Death ain’t nothing but a fastball on the outside corner” (10). Explain what Troy means by this statement. Implying that death isn’t a big deal. in baseball, its an easy hit, easy to destroy.
9. Who is Lyons? Describe him. Troy’s son from previous marriage. Talented Jazz musician and comes to dad for money a lot. 34 yo. Neat dresser. Wife Bonnie is working.
10. On page 15, Troy tells about how the Devil gave him credit to buy furniture, and Rose states, "Troy lying." Why does Troy create these stories? Who could the Devil represent? He creates these stories to show how close hes gone to the edge and make the situation more interesting. The devil could represent the white man. Devil could be anything that’s keeping him from being able to do
Fences Study Guide
Act I, Scene 1
1. What year is it? 1957
2. Describe Troy Maxson. Wants to be treated the way her treats others. Honest but bitter. Strong and resembles the time period. Not afraid to question society. Large man. No filter, says what he thinks, not afraid of offending others. Has some common sense.
3. Describe Bono. Good friend, loyal. Known Troy for about 30 years. Live close to each other. Loyal husband to Lucile. Treats Lucile w respect.
4. Why are people calling Troy a “troublemaker”? Went to his boss, asking why there were African Americans working there. He asks a lot of questions.
5. Describe Rose. Troy’s wife. She doesn’t take any crap, but not in the same way as Troy. Nicer to Bono. She keeps her house in order. Likes to save money.
6. Do you think Troy has been faithful to Rose? Why or why not? No bc he acts like he is keeping something from her and is distant or emotionally detached.
7. Who is Cory? Describe him. Why does Troy not want him to pursue football? Troy and Rose’s son. Has a chance at football scholarship. Doesn’t want him to pursue bc he doesn’t think the white man will let him touch the ball.
8. Troy states that “Death ain’t nothing but a fastball on the outside corner” (10). Explain what Troy means by this statement. Implying that death isn’t a big deal. in baseball, its an easy hit, easy to destroy.
9. Who is Lyons? Describe him. Troy’s son from previous marriage. Talented Jazz musician and comes to dad for money a lot. 34 yo. Neat dresser. Wife Bonnie is working.
10. On page 15, Troy tells about how the Devil gave him credit to buy furniture, and Rose states, "Troy lying." Why does Troy create these stories? Who could the Devil represent? He creates these stories to show how close hes gone to the edge and make the situation more interesting. The devil could represent the white man. Devil could be anything that’s keeping him from being able to do