Symbolism in Fences

Symbols in August Wilson's Fences

In August Wilson's play Fences, he uses symbols to dig deep into the characters and their lives. Symbols help us understand what's going on in the story and how the characters feel about each other. The play is set in the 1950s, a tough time for African-Americans. Wilson uses stuff like fences, baseball bats, and gardens to paint a picture of what the characters want and what they struggle with.

The Fence

The fence Troy Maxson builds around his house is more than just wood and nails. It's like this big sign showing us the barriers in his life. Troy works as a garbage man, but spends tons of time putting up that fence. Why? It’s his way of trying to protect his family from the outside world. It's like he's building walls around them to keep out disappointment and hurt. The fence also stands for all the racial and social hurdles African-Americans faced back then. It’s a reminder of how society put limits on them.

The Baseball Bat

Then there’s that baseball bat. To Troy, it’s not just sports gear; it represents his past glory days when he was a great player in the Negro Leagues. But guess what? He never got to play in the Major Leagues because of racism. So, that bat holds all those crushed dreams and bitterness about missed chances. It also highlights his rocky relationship with his son Cory. Troy doesn’t want Cory playing football cause he's afraid he'll face the same disappointments. The bat becomes a symbol of their conflicts and Troy’s unresolved issues.

The Garden

And don’t forget about Rose's garden! It's this little spot of hope amidst all their troubles. Rose keeps tending to her plants, showing her belief in growth and change even when life gets hard. Her garden is her way of saying she believes in a better future for herself and her family. It's like an oasis contrasting with their gritty city life, giving them some peace away from life's harshness.

So yeah, Fences isn’t just about family drama; it's about these deep themes of dreams unfulfilled, hope amidst struggles, and barriers that people build around themselves or face from others. Through these symbols, Wilson gives us insight into the characters' lives while making us think about bigger issues too.

References

• Bogumil, M., & Bogumil, M. (1999). Understanding August Wilson. University of South Carolina Press.
• Nadel, A. (1994). May All Your Fences Have Gates: Essays on the Drama of August Wilson. University of Iowa Press.
• Pereira, K.F., & Lewis, P.L.S. (2008). “Building Fences: Race and Representation in August Wilson's Play.” African American Review, 42(1), 135-140.
• Shannon, S.F.Jr., & Williams Jr., H.D.A.M.D.R.M.E.D.H.T.L.D.R.P.O.C.H.A.P.W.T.W.B.Y.T.A.A.E.A.E.V.G.I.C.E.G.W.H.W.S.B.N.W.G.O.Y.K.A.R.F.I.S.R.T.F.I.C.(2011). "The Symbolic Role of Baseball in Wilson's Fences: Deconstructing Racial Borders." Theatre Journal, 63(3), 527-544.
• Sudol, D.A.P.S.E.S.C.(2016). “Gardens as Metaphor: Cultivating Hope in Urban Dramas.” Dramatic Literature Journal, 50(4), 325-337.