August Wilson Fences Symbolism

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Recommended: The Use Of Symbolism In Fences By August Wilson

In the play Fences by August Wilson the title is symbolized in different aspects for each of the characters, it also serves an important purpose for both physical and emotional as for why it is being built. Throughout the play, the fence is seen as a form of protection for rose. A way that she thought could keep her family connected through love and separate them from the racist world. “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.” The fence also symbolizes her qualities of being a mother and a loving wife, who had faith in her family even when her family’s relationship was falling apart due to Troy’s selfish acts. “I done tried to be everything …show more content…

“And when my daddy turned to face me, I could see why the devil had never come to get him.. cause he was the devil himself.” Troy’s fence also represents a perimeter of a baseball field. In spite of his talent, the color of his skin kept him from any opportunity of fulfilling his dreams. While Cory tries to make his father aware of his talent in football, Troy only believes Cory will not succeed. Troy is to self centered to realize that society is changing. “If they got a white fellow sitting on the bench... you can bet your last dollar he can’t play! The colored guy got to be twice as good before he get on the team”. While the fence symbolizes many characters it also symbolizes Troy’s other son, Lyons. The fence is used as a way to separate Lyons needs vs his wants. Instead of getting a job that supports him and Bonnie, he spends his money in the street, only caring about music. “Yeah, I got it. You know why I got it? Cause I don’t throw my money away out there in them streets. You living the fast life. Wanna be a musician. Running around in them clubs and things...” It also separates his relationship between him and his father and how he had to grow up knowing his father was in jail. “If you wanted to change me, you should have been there when I was growing up... You don’t know nothing about how I was

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