In the dimly lit hours of Pittsburgh, August Wilson's play "Fences" tells the story of Troy Maxson and his family, depicting their struggles in the 1950s. The play offers a touching perspective on the African-American experience and societal issues that still resonate in America today. As we descend into the world of "Fences," we are compelled to address issues of race, family dynamics, and the pursuit of the American Dream, all of which continue to shape our nation's social fabric. By examining insights from Childish Gambino's thought-provoking music video "This Is America" and the Kanye West Interview, we can further unpack the relevance of "Fences" to today's world, providing a nuanced breakdown of its themes and their intersections with …show more content…
It is worth noting that the fence featured in the play can be interpreted as a symbol that embodies a variety of themes, like family dynamics. The fence symbolizes keeping the family protected or keeping people away from missed opportunities. For instance, Rose sings, "Jesus, be a fence all around me every day" (Act one, Scene 2), signifying that she wants Jesus' protection. The fence represents Jesus' attempt to protect her. Gambino's work in "This is America", can be seen as a force of resistance against social injustices. Despite the depiction of violence in the music video, the gun in the music video can be seen as a form of protection. Throughout the video, Gambino is seen holding firearms, which is interpreted as a form of self-defense. Another instance is when Troy tells his son, Cory, "I don't care where he is coming from." The white man ain't gonna let you get nowhere with that football anyway. You go and get your book-learning so you can work yourself up in that A&P or learn how to fix cars or build houses or something, get you a