The Simple Wooden Fence In August Wilson's Fences

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Fences, typically, are easy structures to assemble. Although the labor seems to not be challenging, it takes Troy Maxson over six months to build the simple wooden fence for Rose. The fence in the play Fences is much more complex than your typical wooden structure used to keep things in or out. August Wilson utilizes it as an extended metaphor throughout the entire play. Much as the literal fence is slowly built, a figurative fence is created between Troy and the characters of Cory, Bono, and Rose. The first main argument that happens between Cory and Troy is because Cory is not there to help Troy work on the fence due to football practice. The argument escalated as Cory pleads his father to meet a recruiter so he can continue playing football …show more content…

This goes far beyond him being unfair to Cory, but is also hinders Cory from meeting his full potential. The ability to continue with football would not only offer him scholarships, but the chance to even attend college. Troy’s inability to look past himself and to realize times have changed, hurts not only himself but his son too. These selfish actions begin to push Cory and Troy apart. This is the beginning of Troy’s figurative fence secluding him from his family. Not only does Troy inhibit Cory’s growth in football, he also inhibits his growth as a person. Towards the end of Act one Scene three Cory poses a question to Troy asking, “How come you ain’t never liked me?” (1052). Earlier in this scene, Cory continuously tries to impress Troy with his knowledge of the world including T.V.s, Pirates, or even his act of quitting his job so he can focus on football to get in to a good college. Troy is having none of it and consistently knocks Cory down all through the climax of the scene while saying, “Like you? I go out here every morning...bust my butt...putting up with them crackers every day… cause I like you? You about the biggest fool I ever saw. (pause) It’s my job my responsibility! You understand that? A man got to take care of his family” (1053; original). This verbal abuse and making Cory feel as if his father only tolerates him because he is his son drives them further apart. The distance between the two becomes more apparent as Troy adds more pieces to the

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