In the play Fences by August Wilson, the fence is not just a clever title it is a symbolic object that ties all the characters together. Fences is a story of injustice, repressed feelings, and adultery during the 1950s. Throughout the play, a fence is being built around the Maxson household. A fence provides a barrier intended to keep something in or possibly keep something else out (dictionary). There are many barriers between characters in Fences. The characters’ lives change around the fence-building project, which serves as both a literal and a figurative device, representing the relationships that bond and break in the arena of the backyard. In Wilson’s play Fences, the fence does not just represent a fences there is a deeper symbolic meaning of the fence that is …show more content…
To Troy and Cory, the fences keep people out and push people away. The Fence represents the of connection between the Maxson family. After Troy and Cory fight, Cory says to Troy, "Tell Mama I'll be back to get my things" (Wilson). In an act of Acrimony Troy yells back saying, "They'll be on the other side of that fence" (Wilson). Here, the fence is the dividing line between being part of the family and being independent. By putting Cory's belongings on the other side of that fence, Troy forces Cory to leave their home permanently. It is not exactly known why troy decided to have an affair with another woman. He had been married to Rose for 18 years and then tells her that he got another woman pregnant. The consequence is that Rose and Troy do not talk for 6 months after the incident until she asks if he is coming home after work. All this time he has been going to Alberta's and he continues to say that he is going to Taylor's. Troy pushes Rose away from him by cheating on her. Troy's lack of commitment to finishing the fence parallels his lack of commitment in his