Fences Play Analysis

Kyung Tae Kim
Dr. Lear
Studies in Literature
23rd November 2015
Fences
The play Fences centers on Troy Maxson, the father of the family, and his relationship with his family members, his mistress and his friend Bono. The play is not only about the personal conflicts between the family, but also social conflict between the society and the individual, especially for African Americans. The struggle takes place between Troy and his son, Cory who was a high school football star. Troy is against his son’s wish to become an athletic star because racial environment in his days of the Negro Leagues let him lose his opportunity to be a professional baseball star. Another struggle can be seen when Troy betrays his wife, Rose, when he tells her that he
He thinks that blackness means being large enough to “hide that great big old watermelon under his coat.” He always remembers his responsibility to his family, and tries to improve his position in the trash collecting company from hauler to the first black garbage truck driver. His early days were sad and gloomy like those of most poor blacks. He was thrown out of his house at fourteen by his father, moved North to Pittsburgh, and made a living though crimes. When he was put into jail, he learned to play baseball and soon after being released, re remarried and had son Cory, and began a career in baseball when it was too late for Troy to move to Major Leagues. Cory represents the new generation, and the difference between Troy and Cory is clearly seen as they talk about buying a television in Act one. As seen in the play, the amount was though of differently by Troy and Cory. Cory does not think the money is too much, but Troy thinks of this amount as quite a lot of money. Emphasizing the value of entertainment by TV, Cory persuades him to buy one but Troy thinks of his larger obligations and responsibilities to his family first. Troy wants Cory to work hard to make a living and then buy things for himself so he will eventually understand the value of
Troy confesses that “She gives me a different idea… a different understanding of myself… I can step out of his house and get away from the pressure and problems… be a different man.” When Alberta dies during the delivery to daughter Raynell, she is the only person that enters the fence in the opposite direction to find happiness and protection from the house. Rose goes through hardships in overcoming disappointment and frustration about her husband, eventually accepts Raynell as daughter. Thus, the help, affection, and protection that Rose gives her is the benefit that the fence meant to give. Rose continues to take care of Raynell and Cory returns home to attend Troy’s funeral few years after service in