What underlies the conflict between Cory and Troy? Investigate the opportunities available to Black athletes recruited by colleges in the 1950s. Do Troy's concerns about Cory's future as a ballplayer hold any validity?

Troy is illiterate, making oral communication crucial for him. He narrates his life story in Act I, Scene IV, and also shares parts of it through song. Research the significance of storytelling within the Black experience. Consider how the oral tradition has been largely replaced by written text in many cultures. Do you believe the oral tradition is vanishing from American cultural life?

In Fences, Troy's portrayal of the devil gradually transforms into a depiction of a white salesman who exploits his Black customers, preying on their fear to question him and thus allowing themselves to be deceived. Investigate the commercial dynamics between white and Black people in the 1950s. Is Troy's skepticism backed by historical facts?

At the beginning of Wilson's play, music and sports are highlighted as prime opportunities for young Black men to escape the harsh realities of Black urban life. Later, Cory enlists in the Marines. But is this truly an escape? In 1964, the United States began ramping up its military presence in Vietnam, leading to a war that would ultimately be lost. What did the military offer young Black men? Research the role of Black soldiers in Vietnam and consider if the proportion of Black casualties in that war reflected an unequal sacrifice.