Fences by August Wilson (1983)

Giorgia Scribellito · Post by **Giorgia Scribellito** » 07 Sep 2015, 03:14

The play Fences was written in 1983 by August Wilson. Of a German American father and African American mother Wilson captures African American life in the 1950s in what is known as the Pittsburgh cycle of which this commedy is part ( it comprises ten plays). This play is about a man Troy Maxson, his wife Rose and his children Lyons (his son by a previous marriage), Cory ( his son with Rose) and Raynell ( his daughter from a woman called Alberta who dies). The play also features Jim Bono, Troy's friend, and Gabriel, Troy's brother. It is a play about setting boundaries. Rose wants a fence built around hers and Troy' s house to keep Troy in, to establish a boundary between the outside and the inside world. Troy establishes a boundary between himself and other more simpleton workers to emphasise the importance of his protest for a career advancement. Also Troy establishes a boundary for his son Cory by preventing him to continue playing baseball for fear that as an African American he will not be allowed in to the major leagues. Also he establishes a boundary with his wife Rose by entertaining a relationship with Alberta. It is a beautiful and dramatic frame of African American life.

drwcroaker · Post by **drwcroaker** » 04 Jul 2020, 15:45

I love this play! The writing is so beautiful. I was lucky enough to meet August Wilson years ago in a Seattle restaurant. Wilson’s voice was and is so important. We lost him too soon.

JohnEddy2 · Post by **JohnEddy2** » 07 Sep 2023, 15:30

The play FENCES by August Wilson has been selected by West African Examination Council to be read by Literature students. It is a play that criticality explore the African-American experience and examine racial discrimination. Troy who happens to be the head of the family is really proud of himself for the how far he was able to manage his family. Troy is a realist, he once told Bono is most mentioned friend that he loves women.he further proved his love for women when eventually got the Alberta girl pregnant. Troy's wife Rose got offended but then she realised that she can't live without Troy.

Cory was a young talented son of Troy, he had passion for baseball and football.he got noticed by some recruiter buy his father wouldn't allow him play football because of how he was treated during his time.

Lyon also had passion for music but wasn't making money through it, he always come to obtain loan from his father every Friday, his father Troy perceived him to be lazy since he refused to get a job to feed his family.

Post by **TrishaCleve** » 08 Sep 2023, 17:57

This is the first review I have read on OBC of a play. I am wondering if you read it or watched the play with live actors and such.

MercyNdungu · Post by **MercyNdungu** » 07 Oct 2023, 02:11

Giorgia Scribellito wrote: ↑07 Sep 2015, 03:14 The play Fences was written in 1983 by August Wilson. Of a German American father and African American mother Wilson captures African American life in the 1950s in what is known as the Pittsburgh cycle of which this commedy is part ( it comprises ten plays). This play is about a man Troy Maxson, his wife Rose and his children Lyons (his son by a previous marriage), Cory ( his son with Rose) and Raynell ( his daughter from a woman called Alberta who dies). The play also features Jim Bono, Troy's friend, and Gabriel, Troy's brother. It is a play about setting boundaries. Rose wants a fence built around hers and Troy' s house to keep Troy in, to establish a boundary between the outside and the inside world. Troy establishes a boundary between himself and other more simpleton workers to emphasise the importance of his protest for a career advancement. Also Troy establishes a boundary for his son Cory by preventing him to continue playing baseball for fear that as an African American he will not be allowed in to the major leagues. Also he establishes a boundary with his wife Rose by entertaining a relationship with Alberta. It is a beautiful and dramatic frame of African American life.

Fences" by August Wilson is indeed a powerful and thought-provoking play that delves deep into the complexities of African American life in the 1950s. Your summary of the play's central themes, characters, and the significance of boundaries in the narrative is well-crafted.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on "Fences" by August Wilson. It's a play that continues to be relevant and thought-provoking, addressing important social and personal issues that transcend time and place.