Blog 7 Fences

August Wilson named the play Fences because it revolves around not only physical fences but also the “fences” in the character’s lives. There are many different ways that fences are used symbolically, such as symbolizing protection, structure or division. Each character has their own set of fences. Troy has the most fences surrounding him throughout the play. Rose, Cory and Lyons each have a fence the lies between them and Troy.

            The amount of fences that Troy has made is ridiculous. He has been building a fence for  Rose for a really long time. Cory says, “He been saying that the last four or five Saturdays, and then he don’t never do nothing,” (1.3.3-4). This suggests that Rose had been asking him for quite some time to build a fence. It is later seen that his lack of effort and commitment on the fence can parallel his lack of effort and commitment with his marriage. Troy says, “I can sit up in her house and laugh… I can laugh out loud … and it feels good.” (2.1.100-101). When comparing the building of the fence to his marriage he finds it too much of a pain at times and wants to relax a little.

            Rose is a different character in that the fences that surround her can be viewed in a more positive light. The first fence that surrounds Rose is Jesus. “[sings.] Jesus, be a fence all around me every day. Jesus, I want you to protect me,” (1.2.pg 1710). Jesus is the fence put in place to protect Rose. This fence makes her special in that the fence she has around her is for protection. Rose also asks Troy to build a fence showing she wanted that same protection surrounding her family. Bono tells Troy, “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.” (2.1.28-29). Rose had such a strong mama bear mentality in regards to her family.

            Two really evident fences in the story are between Troy and his two sons. The fence that separates Troy and Lyons is Lyon’s desire to pursue music. Troy says, “You too lazy to work,” (1.1.136), as well as saying, “I don’t like that Chinese Music. All that noise.” (4.1.82). Showing that Troy feels that Lyons needs to stop fawning over music and go get a “real” job. The fence between Troy and his son Cory is huge. This fence is the fact that Cory wants to play football but his dad wants him to work. “The white man ain’t gonna let you get nowhere with the football noway.” (1.3.74-75). Troy’s severe view of white people in sports continually comes between him and Cory. He feels that he should give up and get a job since he will fail anyways.  The fences between Troy and his sons are separating them from each other.

            The way that August Wilson used fences throughout the play was quite intriguing. Each fence helped get a better understanding of each character. The fences added great amounts of depth to each person in the play so that their actions made more sense.