Analysis Of Fences By August Wilson

life in the mid to late twentieth century and the strains of society on African Americans. Set in a small neighborhood of a big city, this play holds much conflict between a father, Troy Maxson, and his two sons, Lyons and Cory. By analyzing the sources of this conflict, one can better appreciate and understand the way the conflict contributes to the meaning of the work.

In past times, racism and economic injustice headline the many problems that present themselves to society. Some people accept the horrors that appear with the issues while others take actions to change the issues for the better. August Wilson reveals that in his play Fences.” Written in 1957, Wilson’s play portrays an African American family during the time of the civil rights movement who struggle to reach the self-proclaimed American Dream in the United States (Wilson 963-1018). The protagonist, Troy Maxson, is influenced by Wilson’s stepfather, David Bedford (Martin and Downing). During the civil rights movement, African Americans carried few to no rights as an American citizen, presenting controversy to the world of political science and economic power. Wilson also contributes to the theory of Marxism in Fences. Introduced by Karl Marx, Marxist Criticism paints an identical picture of the way society reveals itself in the twentieth century. “Marx’s main interest was in economic power and the ways in which it disguised and manipulated.” (Schakel and Ridl 1455). Wilson incorporates those views into his play Fences. Wilson also reveals his intake on the views of Marxism. “Today I would say that the conflict in black America is between the middle class and the so-called underclass, and that conflict goes back to those who deny themselves and those who aren’t willing to (Lyons 1024).” The author believes that African American struggle contributes to the theory of Marxism.

Fences took place in the 1950’s, during that time the role of women in the 1950 was repressive and constrictive in a lot of ways. The 1950s is often viewed as a period of conformity, when both men and women observed strict gender roles and complied with society’s expectations (Women in 1950’s). Society placed a very high significance on different expectations on behavior in public as well as at home. Women were to be homemakers, caring mothers, and to be an obedient wife to their husbands. A wife was only considered a “good wife” if she did anything and everything her husband asked for and agreed with everything the man would say. This was the type of way Troy treated Rose in fences and how he thought of women and their

Fences can be viewed as a family play, it can also be viewed as a work specifically of the black man's place, or plight, in a predominantly white world. Either way, it has a very valuable message. It is a true art to be able to touch on so many aspects of life in a work, aspects that may be viewed differently by different people.. Wilson's work, and the character of Troy Maxson, makes me question many things, among them myself, as well as his intended message. This is why I am so in awe of Fences, and of Wilson's talent. This is why I am writing my paper on Fences.

Remaining on the topic of controversial films, another director comes to mind. This director had an ultimate goal that he desired to “…make films that will capture the Black experience by any means necessary” (Smith 437). He stirred up much controversy with the content of his films within the film world, and because of this had to create his films with little outside help. This auteur is, of course, Spike Lee.

Children grow up naturally emulating the adults around them, for most it is their mother and father, this is natural and typically a positive thing. There are times, however, when the people that children emulate are not the best examples society has to offer. In the play Fences Cory looks up to his dad when it comes to sports. However, by the end of the play the reader starts to notice that Troy is not the man to look up to. The plot in Fences by August Wilson is centered around an African American family that looks at the world a little differently by that I mean when Troy was young people believed blacks shouldn’t be able to do the things whites can. People were rude and outspoken about how they felt when it came to sharing public things with blacks. Now Troy’s sons are living in a world that has evolved and is not as racist, the boys can go out and achieve their dreams, even if they are African American it may be difficult but is still achievable. Because of the change in the way of life there has been a conflict between the two boys and their father. Troy may realize that things are different now, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is hard for him to let go of the past. Because Troy was unable to play baseball based on his race, he believes Cory shouldn’t be able to go on and play college football. This raises a big question, is Troy being unfair or is he trying to look out for his son? The main theme throughout the play Fences is

The United States has long been a country that has accepted that change is a necessity for prosperity and growth. However, each change within the nation's history was hard fought against those who resisted such change either through racism, bigotry, and blatant discrimination. African American cinema is enshrouded in history that depicts these themes of racism, struggle, and deprivation. Yet, this same cinema also shows scenes of hope, artistic spirit, intellectual greatness, and joy. Black actresses, actors, directors, producers, and writers have been fighting for recognition and respect since the great Paul Robeson. The civil rights movement of the 1950's and 60's was fueled by black cinema through films like A Raisin in the Sun.

Fences was written by August Wilson and is a part of Wilson's "Century Cycle" of plays set in the 1950s in African American neighborhoods. These plays, nine of which take place in Pittsburgh's Hill District, "aim to sketch the Black experience in the 20th century and "raise consciousness through theater" and echo "the poetry in the everyday language of black America". [link: https://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/839/august-wilson-the-art-of-theater-no-14-august-wilson]

In the realm of Black films there is one man that comes to mind and no that is not Tyler Perry although he is great, but that man is Spike Lee. Spike Lee has been making films since 1983 that is a career span of thirty years with him directing with him actually directing thirty-nine films. Those thirty-nine films do not include all of the films he has produced and been an actor in. Spike Lee has become known for his films that usually revolve around present day problems with race and issues that affect the Black community. Two of his most popular films the first being School Daze, (1988) and the second Jungle Fever, (1991). Both films were written, produced, and directed by Spike Lee who also played a character in the films. School Daze a film that on the surface seems like it is only about sororities and fraternities against people who do not join them, but a more in depth look reveals the film is more about complexion. Jungle Fever, a film about a married Black man cheating on his Black wife with a white woman on the surface may seem to be about infidelity, but is also about colorism1 within the Black community. The issue of colorism, which basically means one skin tone is preferred over another, usually in darker races the lighter skin tones are preferred. This issue has plagued the Black community since the time of slavery and continues to affect the Black community today.

For years, people have stressed the idea of an, “American Dream” saying that all people no matter social class or ethnicity will have an equal chance to be successful as every other American. People hope that through the American Dream they can live a life full of happiness and material comfort. The idea of this dream has also lead to millions of people from across the world to migrate to our country (Kimberly). Although this sounds great and promising, the idea that everyone in this country has an equal opportunity has come into question throughout time and people feel that others have a leg up in this world. A playwright that expresses the topic and idea of the,” American Dream” and the outlook that some may have on it is ,”Fences” Written by August Wilson. In his past works, Wilson has also expressed the views that people, mainly African Americans, have towards the changing world. By writing “Fences” Wilson shows that he feels that the,” American Dream” can be obtainable but because of situations and culture in the past, people in deprived areas may not adapt to the idea that they can create a successful life for themselves and begin to settle, resulting in them living in anger and regret which then then has a trickling effect throughout their families causing a negative and unhealthy environment for everyone around.

Fences and the 1950’s August Wilson is well known to have embodied the ongoing decades in his plays. In the play Fences, he created the perfect representation for the 1950’s in which so much was taking place in America. The play in turn brings to light the events of that decade and the changes taking place in American society which included racism, the civil rights movement, and feminism. Racism is highly apparent in the play Fences.

When people are young, they are told to “dream big” and “shoot for the stars”. Nothing seems impossible. As people grow older, they become more aware of reality and dim their childhood dreams to a more practical level. However, this light always remains in the back of their brain, keeping them wondering what if? What if they had continued to pursue this goal despite the likeliness of failure? Would it still be worth it? Fences by August Wilson tells the story of an impoverished African-American family in the 1950s and the father Troy’s failed American Dream. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald illustrates the upper class in the Roaring Twenties and a man named Gatsby who also fails to attain his long-awaited dream. Both Wilson, in

The New York Times deems August Wilson as “the poet of black of black America” (Isherwood). Wilson brilliantly and wittingly brings life, meaning, and complexity to a culture of people. Furthermore, Wilson bridges this connection between African Americans and their cultural identity. The play Fences paints black life during the 1950’s era and it is the sixth play in a ten play cycle (“August Wilson’s Fences”). The 1950’s reflects a transitional state of time where African Americans were beginning to stand up and fight against racism. August Wilson integrates the social and cultural factors present during the 1950’s into his play Fences. Additionally, much of the issues faced by the characters

Fences, a play written by August Wilson, is about how life was for African Americans in the late 1950’s. The play talks about how their race determined how people would treat them, where they could live, what kind of job they could have, and what kind of activities they could participate in. There is a character in the play, named Troy Maxson, who was a pervious baseball player in the Negro League Baseball, because of his race; he was not allowed to play in the Major League Baseball. Since Troy didn’t play baseball, he became a garbage handler in Pittsburg. He met his wife, Rose, and they had a child together. Troy ends up having an affair with a woman named, Roberta, and they conceived a child together. One of his sons, Cory, wants to play football when he attends college, but his father ruins that chance and turns down the offer before he could even make the decision. Troy worked hard to provide his family and did what he needed to make sure they survived, he thought by not allowing his son to play college football and making the decision for him would be best, and he also thought cheating on his wife would make him feel better. Troy did all of this because he felt like it was the correct thing to do in his circumstances.

C. Thesis: Studios are reticent to cast black and biracial actors in major roles in the fear that these films will not be successful with the viewing audience, but the decision to cast mostly white actors only serves to reinforce this assumption by preventing even the possibility of successful films with black and biracial leads; although recent evidence shows that this assumption is largely inaccurate, the practice persists, and only by critically examining this troubled history can one hope to precipitate a change.