By Kelly Flemming, Reilly Gardner, Jack Magnier, and Devin Koep 5/6/13 Humanities Period 8

Background Written by August Wilson in 1983 First performed on Broadway in th play in Wilsons Pittsburgh Cycle (a series of plays set in Pittsburgh, PA)

Context Starts 1957, Ends 1965 Post WW2 Hank Aaron led Milwaukee Braves to a World Series Black Americans were starting to join the middle class

Main Characters Troy: Main Character of the story. He is the husband of Rose and Corys Father. Rose: Troys Wife and Corys Mother. Cory: Troy and Roses son. He wants to play college football. Bono: Troys best friend who he met in prison. Gabriel: Troys handicapped brother who receives government disability checks.

Summary Troy is trying to overcome a huge racial conflict at work by becoming the first black garbage truck driver. Troys son Cory has the chance to play college football, but Troy refuses to sign the permission paper because he feels that a black athlete will never make it anywhere in the world. Troy tells Corys coach that he isnt playing football anymore, which ruins his chances of ever going to college. Troy is having an affair with a woman named Alberta.

Summary Alberta gets pregnant and dies in childbirth, which leaves Troy and Rose with the daughter she and Troy had together, Raynell. Tensions between Cory and Troy get so high that Troy beats him with a baseball bat and loses his son for good. The play concludes at Troys funeral, where Raynell meets Cory for the first time since she was a baby.

Essential Question 1 Question Answered: What real human issues does this play address? In what ways is Wilson striving for social realism? At this time, although still discriminated against, Black Americans were sometimes given opportunities. Often these opportunities came with a choice: join the middle class and leave their roots behind, or remain on the same societal level Troy becoming a driver Corys potential football career

Essential Question 1 Since you got your promotion I cant keep up with you. Used to see you everyday. Now I dont even know what route you working. – Bono (Wilson p. 82) Troy became a driver and is now hauling white folks garbage but he doesnt see his best friend everyday anymore (Wilson p. 83)

Essential Question 2 Question Answered: How does Wilson deal with identity, societal expectations, race and gender in Fences?

Essential Question 2 Identity: Cory wants to distinguish himself from his father by excelling in football, going to college, and making something of himself

Essential Question 2 Societal Expectations I done did everything I can for the man. I cant make him get well. Man got half his head blown away… what you expect? - Troy (Wilson p.27) Society doesnt have a proper place for people like Gabriel at this time Gabriels only use is providing Troy a disability check every month

Essential Question 2 Race: The white man aint gonna let him get nowhere with that football. – Troy (Wilson p.8) Even though times are changing, Troys past experience with baseball causes him to believe that his son will meet the same fate

Essential Question 2 Gender: Rose… I dont mess up my pay. – Troy (Wilson p. 74) Troy thinks that his cheating should be tolerated because 100% of his resources still goes to his family with Rose. Rose does not care about the money and stands up for her feelings at a time when women were expected to be submissive Troy ends up getting physically aggressive Cory saves Rose demonstrating changing times and a new way of thinking

Realism Fences describes realistic human problems such as overcoming injustice, family relationships, and making due in poverty stricken areas. Troy becomes the first black driver Struggles between father and son (Troy & Cory) Adultery (Troy cheats on Rose) Tribulations of the mentally handicapped (Gabriel) Discrimination in sports (Troy & Baseball, Cory & Football)

Important Scenes

Works Cited Wilson, August. Fences: A Play. New York: New American Library, Print.