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Literary Criticism Of Fences

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“A problem is a chance for you to do your best ”(Duke Ellington.) Troy, the main character in Fences has a lot of problems in his life. Because of those problems, he likes to cope with putting fences between those in his life.Troy puts up fences by telling stories to try and prove his manhood, or trying to block everyone out. In fences, Troy puts up fences between him and each of the members of his family, each of whom has a huge effect on the family. The first fence that Troy builds is between him and his wife Rose."Once Troy announces to his wife that he has had an illegitimate child the plot turns into an overall disgust for Troy by all of the characters around him"(Captain Pajama Shark.)Troy’s affair caused Rose heartbreak, this affair is the result of Troy building a fence between him and his wife.The next fence that …show more content…

“’More Stories Than the Devil Got Sinners’: Troy’s Stories in August Wilson’s Fences.” Contemporary Literary Criticism, edited by Jeffrey W. Hunter, vol. 222, Gale, 2006. Literature Resource Center, lcproxy.lc.edu:2266/ps/i.do?p=LitRC&sw=w&u=godf47652&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CH1100072305&asid=90258eb4b61e22297f4bc7ac25b3013b. Accessed 23 Jan. 2018. Originally published in American Drama, vol. 9, no. 2, Spring 2000, pp. 74-96.
CaptainPajamaShark. “Troy Maxons Fences: Keeping People Out or In.” Fences by August Wilson, BlogSpot.com, 29 Sept. 2008, captainpjsharkonfences.blogspot.com. Accessed 22 Jan. 2018.
“Donald Trump Quotes.” BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2018. 15 February 2018. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/donald_trump_338171
“Duke Ellington Quotes.” BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2018. 15 February 2018. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/duke_ellington_103831
Fences. Performance by Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, directed by Denzel Washington, Paramount Pictures, 2016.
Sonomavalleyhigh.org, Sonoma Valley High School,

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The Faults of Troy Maxson August Wilson brings out the struggle of Troy Maxson in his play, Fences. All that matter to him end up feeling this struggle, for it remains constantly inside of him. Ultimately it proves to overcome Troy and make many lose the respect and love that was once felt. Troy’s actions and failure to fix them makes his true character known. By giving way to his own desires, becoming a continuation of his father and failing those he loves Troy Maxson proves to be a man flawed at his core.

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The play, Fences by August Wilson, is about Troy Maxson and his struggling family relationships. A recurring idea throughout the story is the construction of a fence around Troy's home. Troy's fence could symbolize two things, Troy is trying to protect his family from the outside world, or Troy is isolating himself from his own family. As the construction of the fence progresses, the more severely damaged Troy's relationships become. In this play, the underlying message is that, despite the fact that fences can both protect and isolate, Troy’s fence isolates him from his family rather than to protect his family.

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She requested that Cory and Troy work on building a fence in the backyard. Rose hopes that the fence will keep the people she loves close to her and protected from the harshness of the world. Unlike Troy, Rose is a realist who has love and high hopes for Cory. When Rose evesdrop on Cory and Troy, she overheard their argument about football, and talks to Troy after Cory leaves. Troy explains to Rose why he will not allow Cory to play football and tells her that she’s been mothering Cory too much.

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August Wilson's play Fences addresses a great content of interpreting and inheriting history. Throughout Fences, much of the conflict emerge because the characters are at disparity with the way they see their foregoing and what they want to do with their forthcoming. Fences explores how the damaged aspirations of one generation can taint the dreams of the next generation on how they deal with the creation of their own identity when their role model is a full of dishonesty. Wilson illustrates his qualities primarily through his use of symbolism in the play Fences.  

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