Symbolism In Wilson's Fences

Unlike Rose’s positive symbolic meaning of the fence, for Troy, the fence symbolizes bitterness and authority, harming and affecting Cory. The bitterness and exasperation radiating off of Troy is almost visible in many times of the play. It seemed that almost Troy and Cory never really had a decent conversation without leading to conflict. Frank Rich, in “Theater: Wilson’s ‘Fences,’” says, “Although Cory’s ambitions are the same as Troy’s once were, the father cruelly derails his son’s attempts to emulate him.” Similar to Troy, Cory yearns to play football. He even attempts to begin a conversation about baseball to Troy when they’re cutting boards for the fence they’re building, telling him, “The Pirates won today. That makes five in a row” (2080). However, Troy quickly ends the conversation and tells him to continue cutting boards. Here, the fence symbolizes the

His thoughts and feelings of those of an upset and bitter man won’t change thus trapped as the man he is today. His past has affected him enough to keep his rude behavior towards others. When Lyons visits Troy and Rose, Troy acts discourteous towards him. Lyons simply asks for money knowing he has money, and Troy tells him, “Yeah I got it. You know why I got it? Cause I don’t throw my money away out there in the streets” (2072). It was a rude, unnecessary comment just like when he tells him, “I don’t like that Chinese music” when Lyons invites him to see him play (2088). Perhaps, he calls the music Chinese since Troy doesn’t understand the new generation of music and sports, seeing he’s a man of the past. Also, he signs the papers for Gabriel to be sent to a mental institution. Even though he refuses to admit it, it is evident that he signs the papers when he tells Rose, “The only thing I signed was the release form. Hell, I can’t read, I don’t know what they had on that paper!”