The play is Fences by August Wilson, written in 1983. This play is set in the yard of the main character, Troy Maxson. There is a suggestion that the setting is August Wilson’s native town, Pittsburgh, as many prompts mention it within the play. The central conflict involves the main character’s attitude to life and his family. The play shows the story of Troy Maxson, who settles down after complicated years of life. It is essential to analyze Fences to understand the work deeper.
The play’s protagonist is Troy Maxson, an African American male working as a scavenger. He is concerned about his family’s well-being and strives to provide them with proper conditions. Rose Maxson is his wife; she is a housewife, but Rose respects herself and loves her child. Cory Maxson is a son of Troy and Rose; he is involved in complicated relations with his father, who is reluctant about Cory’s going to football college. Lyons Maxson is Troy’s son from his first wife; the man is a musician. Gabriel Maxson is Troy’s brother, who was injured in World War II. He has mental struggles and behaves in a childish way. Raynell Maxson is Troy’s illegitimate daughter fathered out from Troy’s mistress, and Jim Bono is Troy’s best friend, whom he met in jail.
Fences is a complicated play; it received many interpretations from critics and readers. For instance, a fence is a border that separates family members, making the distance unbearable. Moreover, Troy constantly meets and creates fences with his family, especially with the son. The main topic discussed multiple times in the play is dissatisfaction with life. For instance, the protagonist feels uncomfortable about his job: “all I want them to do is change the job description” (Wilson 1). Additively, he is not happy about the mental disorder of his brother: “If my brother didn’t have that metal plate in his head…” (Wilson 14). Furthermore, he escapes to his mistress to receive “a different understanding” of himself (Wilson 38). Troy is dissatisfied with his relations with Rose; therefore, he has an affair with his mistress. Moreover, there is dissatisfaction about love and affection for Cory, Troy’s son: “Who the hell tell say I got to like you?” (Wilson 37). The topic of unhappiness in life is seen through the main character’s phrases.
Characters use African-American dialect; Wilson creates natural language similar to one spoken in his native town. Indeed, Wilson uses specific colloquialisms such as “nigga” to demonstrate the reliability of the simple language of the characters (Wilson 34). The tone is colloquial; it tells the reader about the lifelike representation of African Americans, probably, signals average or low education, and reflects views of Wilson himself. It is possible to mention the presence of a gloomy and tense atmosphere; perhaps, actors would wear authentic clothes and minimal makeup. Moreover, “shacks made of sticks and tarpaper” remind readers of poor conditions (Wilson 30). Overall, the visual image will be simple, dark, and unpolished, with broken objects around the location.
Furthermore, some sound effects are present here; for instance, Lyons constantly mentions it. “I just stay with my music cause that’s the only way I can find to live” (Wilson 8). Oppositely, Troy does not like it: “I don’t like Chinese music. All that noise” (Wilson 26). Troy is unfamiliar with music art; he cannot enjoy sounds and life. These elements add to the play’s general atmosphere of tension and gloom.
Overall, Wilson’s Fences is a masterpiece of playwriting, and it is a valuable input into literature. The play reveals significant themes, and it might help many people rethink their lives. The work impresses most spectators and readers with its simplicity and complexity simultaneously. Moreover, the protagonist’s attitude to life is an excellent example of a tragic hero trying to find his life path. The play is a great work that makes the reader think about life and values.
Work Cited
Wilson, August. Fences. Internet Archive, 1983. Internet Archive, Web.