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August Wilson Fences Themes

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In August Wilsons Fences, it is does not take long to develop an idea of what the play will be looking at by examining the time frame and setting in Pittsburgh where life for African Americans was difficult from opportunities in the workplace, to opportunities athletically, hence in Fences the African American experience is put forth by highlighting racism and a number of other themes that went on during that time frame. When first reading August Wilsons biography it is apparent that he himself had a trying life, but also had first hand experiences with African Americans as his step father was a former football player and an ex con, which gives readers a bit more of an understanding as to why perhaps Wilson was so passionate about the way …show more content…

A fence can mean a number of things such as it is keeping someone out, keeping someone fenced in, or some body is on the fence and not sure what to decide. I believe the fence represents all three scenarios in the play for the main character Troy. In terms of keeping people in, I believe Troy is holding his son Cory back from moving on in Football as mentioned earlier. The concept of keeping people out, Troy discusses his encounters with the devil and for him to come he’s going to be in for a battle and the fence represents what the devil will need to go through to get to Troy. Finally in terms of being on the fence, it seems Troy is not sure how to handle his encounters with Alberta and Rose (his wife), and does not know who to go to. Ultimately the fence is not completed until the final scene in the play where Troy has already passed away, hence signifying the incompletion and the confusion that was going on throughout his life in the play. August Wilson’s Fences, does an excellent job of putting forth the injustices against African Americans in that time frame, while also shows the consequences of not adapting to the changing times while remaining to be being caught up in the

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