Analysis of August Wilson’s Fences

Fences by August Wilson explores the struggles of African Americans in the 1950s. August has written ten plays, including this one that explores the struggles for justice and fairness by African Americans. Born in 1945 in Hill District Pittsburg, August grew up in an ethnically diverse environment that perhaps placed him at a better place of writing plays that touched on black Americans’ struggles. Other works written by August include Gem of the ocean, Jitney, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone and King Hedley II, all of which are plays in ‘The Pittsburg Cycle.’

The play Fences by August Wilson centers around Troy, a man who has caused misery to the ones that love him. Troy is depicted as unloving, uncaring and the playwright demonstrates his side by showing us how he treats Rose, his wife. The way Troy treats his brother and his son still shows us how cruel he is. What is more absurd is how Troy feels about himself; he feels like the ones close to him deserve to be treated harshly, and he shows no remorse at all. Troy’s abusive father could have been the reason for his attitude toward people close to him. His father was not around to raise him and constantly abused him in the few instances he was around.

Troy gets a 15-year sentence for allegedly killing a man. On coming out, he meets Rose, they get married, and Rose gives birth to their son Cowry. Troy thought himself a good husband to…