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Symbolism In The Play Fences

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In August Wilson's 1896 play Fences the focus in this play is Troy, a 53 year old head of household who struggles with providing for his family. Within this play Fence, fences are symbolized by protection, rose wanting to keep her family safe. It also symbolizes Rose and Troy's relationship as lovers. Last it symbolizes Troy against death, and how he is just trying to face it head on.
In the play Fences, readers can see how ‘’fences’’ are used to protect the characters within this play. “ Jesus, I want you to protect me as I travel on my way’’ (Wilson 21). When Rose sang this song, you can tell Rose desired protection for herself. “Some people build fences to keep people out, other people build fences to keep people in. Rose wants to hold on to you all, she loves you” (Wilson 62). This quote that Bono indicates to represents that Rose just wants to love and nurture her family within a safe environment. Troy and Corey think the fence is only a burden, therefore are so reluctant to finish building it. Rose continues to show she just wants to keep her family safe from the outside, longing to keep her family inside from the outside world. …show more content…

Troy not wanting to finish building the fence, shows his lack of commitment to there relationship …” And don’t be eaten the rest of them cakes in there” (Wilson 82). The cakes symbolize a fence between their relationship. It shows how Troy cannot touch her, not the cakes. When Troy comes home Rose says, “..dinner is in there on the stove” (wilson 82). This quote shows that Troy’s mistake with not just go away like anything else he has done. This quote shows us how much this problem means to Rose and she does not want any connection with Troy. Rose and Troy’s relationship weakens throughout the play, especially when troy crosses the line by cheating on Rose. That is when a permanent fence is built that Troy could not

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The dynamic between a father and son is never a simple journey, but instead, comes with curveballs thrown left and right. In Fences, by August Wilson, he writes of the hardships between a father and son relationship and the difficulties a father has over trying to shield his son from life’s cruelties, to the salvation found between being fenced in and finally being placed outside of the fence—both literally and metaphorically. Through out the play, there are numerous confrontations between Troy and Cory—whether it be when Cory asks Troy whether or not he loves him or when Cory throws his football helmet towards the direction of Troy—which show the difficult and complicated relationship between father and son. Also prevalent in the play, was the lack of a father and male figure in Troy’s own life, during his most influential and important years. Troy recognizes that and the way he was/is treated by society in general and wanted to “help” his son by showing Cory the difficult lessons Troy learned during his youth, as a way to lessen the pain that would be inflicted on his son later on.

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