August Wilson (1945-2005)
Fences (1985)
Things to Consider:
- African American History
- Baseball as Metaphor
- General Discussion of the Play
- Relationships: Fathers and Sons
- connection to Things Fall Apart?
Homework Questions:
African-American Theater:
Fences:
172:
- Explain the difference in the experiences of European and
African American immigrants to "the city."
Act One:
Scene One:
173:
- Describe the situation Troy finds himself in at work.
174-75:
- Describe Troy's behavior toward Alberta. Is it
appropriate? Explain.
179-80:
- Explain Troy's description of his wrestling match with
Death.
182-83:
- Explain Troy's description of his dealings with the
Devil.
Scene Two:
188-91:
- Describe Troy's relationship with his brother Gabriel.
Scene Three:
197-98:
- Does Troy like Cory? Explain. See video
Scene Four:
205-7:
- Describe the relationship Troy describes having with his
father. How does it compare with his relationship with Cory?
Explain.
210:
- Why has Troy told Cory's coach he can't play football any
more?
Other Discussion Questions:
Fences
Scene One:
176:
- Describe the interaction between Troy and Rose.
177:
- Explain: "There's a lot of people don't know they can do
no better than they doing now" (177).
- Why does Troy shop at Bella's and not the A&P?
178:
179:
- Explain Troy's comparison of death with "a fastball on
the outside corner" (179).
185:
- Why does Troy let his son Lyons have $10?
Scene Three:
192:
- For how long has Troy been wanting to a build a fence?
What has kept him from doing so?
196:
- Why doesn't Troy want Cory to play football?
197:
- Explain: "You've got to take the crookeds with the
straights" (197) [see also 234].
Scene Four:
201:
- Why is Troy being made a driver?
202:
- Why isn't he worried about not having a license?
Act Two:
Scene One:
214:
- Why has Troy begun an affair with Alberta? (see also 218)
219:
- Explain: "I been standing in the same place for eighteen
years" (219).
Scene Two:
222:
- Why has Troy agreed to have Gabriel committed?
Scene Three:
225:
- Explain Rose comment to Troy: "From right now . . . this
child got a mother. But you a womanless man" (225).
Scene Four:
229:
- Explain Cory's statement to Troy: "You don't count around
here no more" (229).
231:
- Why doesn't Cory hit Troy with the bat?
Scene Five:
235:
- Why doesn't Cory want to go to Troy's funeral?
236:
- Explain Rose's comment to Cory: "That shadow wasn't
nothing but you growing into yourself" (236).
239:
- Explain the significance of Gabriel's silent trumpet and
his final dance.
Final Question:
- Explain the final meaning and significance of the play's
title.
Other Discussion Questions:
Scene One:
215:
- Why has Gabriel gotten arrested?
Scene Two:
223:
- Why does Rose wonder who's going to bury Alberta?
Scene Four:
227:
- Why is Troy considering retiring?