Title: The Significance of the Play’s Title, Fences, and its Multifaceted Meaning for the Characters in August Wilson’s Fences
Introduction
August Wilson’s play, Fences, explores the lives of African American characters living in 1950s Pittsburgh. The title, Fences, holds great significance as it symbolizes various aspects of the characters’ lives and experiences. This essay will delve into the multifaceted meaning of the title and discuss its significance for two central characters, Troy Maxson and Cory Maxson.
Body
The Symbolic Nature of Fences
The literal presence of fences in the play serves as a visual representation of barriers and boundaries. Fences are erected to protect and enclose a space, to establish ownership and control. In Fences, these physical fences mirror the emotional and psychological barriers that the characters construct in their lives.
Troy Maxson’s Fences
Troy Maxson, the protagonist of the play, constructs metaphorical fences to protect himself from perceived threats and disappointments. His life has been shaped by racial discrimination and limited opportunities, leading him to build emotional walls to shield himself from vulnerability. These fences prevent him from fully connecting with his loved ones, including his wife Rose and son Cory. Troy’s fear of being hurt or betrayed contributes to his infidelity and strained relationships.
Additionally, Troy’s fence represents his desire for control and power. Throughout the play, he exerts dominance over those around him, asserting his authority as the head of the household. However, this desire for control ultimately isolates him emotionally, leaving him disconnected from his loved ones.
Cory Maxson’s Fences
Cory Maxson, Troy’s teenage son, also encounters fences that shape his life. These figurative fences are a result of his father’s expectations and limitations placed upon him due to both race and gender. Troy projects his own unfulfilled dreams onto Cory, pressuring him to abandon his aspirations of playing college football in order to pursue a more practical career path. This paternal influence creates barriers that impede Cory’s personal growth and independence.
The fences Cory faces also extend beyond paternal expectations. They represent the systemic racism prevalent in society during that time period. Despite his talent and potential, Cory is confined by societal barriers that limit opportunities for African Americans. These external fences challenge Cory’s ability to pursue his dreams and achieve success.
Conclusion
In August Wilson’s Fences, the title holds significant meaning for the characters’ lives and experiences. The literal and metaphorical fences depicted in the play symbolize barriers and boundaries that shape their relationships, dreams, and aspirations. For Troy Maxson, the fences represent emotional walls that isolate him from his loved ones, while for Cory Maxson, they symbolize societal limitations and racial discrimination that hinder his personal growth.
The multifaceted meaning of the title Fences showcases the complexities faced by African Americans during the 1950s. It highlights the struggle to break free from societal constraints and the impact these limitations have on personal relationships and individual aspirations. August Wilson uses the concept of fences to shed light on the enduring legacy of racial discrimination and the challenges faced by African Americans in pursuing their dreams.
