Fences | Fences

At a glance:

Author: August Wilson
First Published: 1985
Type of Work: Play
Type of Plot: Social realism
Time of Work: 1957; 1965
Setting: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Principal Characters: Troy Maxson, Rose, Cory, Gabe
Genres: Domestic realism, Drama
Subjects: 1950’s, African Americans, Discrimination, 1960’s, Family or family life, United States or Americans, Racism, Communication, Marriage, Alienation, Yards or backyards, Adultery, City life, Working class
Locales: Pittsburgh, PA

The central action of Fences unfolds in the space of a few months in the late 1950’s; it is 1957 when the play begins. The last scene takes place in 1965, on the day of the funeral of the protagonist, Troy Maxson. On that day, the other characters in the play come to terms with the flawed human being who has been the most powerful force in their lives. Their effort to arrive at a just understanding of this man duplicates the effort in which the play involves its audience. More than anything else, Fences offers a sympathetic but unsentimental portrait of...

Fences | Fences

At a glance:

The Play

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