August Wilson (1945-2005)
Fences (1985)
Things to Consider:
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African American History
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Baseball as Metaphor
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General Discussion of the Play
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Relationships: Fathers and Sons
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connection to Things Fall Apart?
Homework Questions:
"The Play"
xvii:
-
Explain the difference in the experiences of European and African American
immigrants to "the city."
Act One:
Scene One:
2:
-
Describe the situation Troy finds himself in at work.
3-4:
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Describe Troy's behavior toward Alberta. Is it appropriate? Explain.
10:
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Explain Troy's comparison of death with "a fastball on the outside corner"
(10).
11:
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Explain Troy's description of his wrestling match with Death.
14-15:
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Explain Troy's description of his dealings with the Devil.
Scene Two:
21-28:
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Describe Troy's relationship with his brother Gabriel.
Scene Three:
37-38:
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Does Troy like Cory? Explain.
Scene Four:
50-52:
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Describe the relationship Troy describes having with his father. How
does it compare with his relationship with Cory? Explain.
57:
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Why has Troy told Cory's coach he can't play football any more?
Other Discussion Questions:
Introduction (Lloyd Richards)
vii:
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According to Richards, what does it mean to call Wilson a "storyteller"?
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In what ways does this description correspond to Aristotle's views on
tragedy?
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According to Richards, what does Troy Maxson learn from his father?
Scene One:
6-7:
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Describe the interaction between Troy and Rose.
7:
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Explain: "There's a lot of people don't know they can do no better than
they doing now" (7).
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Why does Troy shop at Bella's and not the A&P?
9:
19:
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Why does Troy let his son Lyons have $10?
Scene Three:
29:
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For how long has Troy been wanting to a build a fence? What has kept
him from doing so?
35-36:
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Why doesn't Troy want Cory to play football?
37:
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Explain: "You've got to take the crookeds with the straights" (37) [see
also 94].
Scene Four:
44:
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Why is Troy being made a driver?
46:
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Why isn't he worried about not having a license?
Act Two:
Scene One:
63:
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Why has Troy begun an affair with Alberta? (see also 68-70)
70:
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Explain: "I been standing in the same place for eighteen years" (70).
Scene Two:
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Why has Troy agreed to have Gabriel committed?
Scene Three:
79:
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Explain Rose comment to Troy: "From right now . . . this child got a
mother. But you a womanless man" (79).
Scene Four:
85:
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Explain Cory's statement to Troy: "You don't count around here no more"
(85).
88:
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Why doesn't Cory hit Troy with the bat?
Scene Five:
96:
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Why doesn't Cory want to go to Troy's funeral?
97:
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Explain Rose's comment to Cory: "That shadow wasn't nothing but you
growing into yourself" (97).
100-101:
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Explain the significance of Gabriel's silent trumpet and his final dance.
Final Question:
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Explain the final meaning and significance of the play's title.
Other Discussion Questions:
Scene One:
65:
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Why has Gabriel gotten arrested?
Scene Two:
76:
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Why does Rose wonder who's going to bury Alberta?
Scene Four:
83:
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Why is Troy considering retiring?