Download Theme of Race

Theme of Race
Most of Fences is set in the 1950s. There had been some progress made on race relations by this time,
such as the integration of pro sports teams. However, on a whole, America had a really long way to go.
Slavery has been gone from America for over seventy years, but its shadow still presses down on the
country. All the characters in the play are African American, and they must deal with racism everyday.
The South is still officially segregated and much of the North is unofficially. Keep in mind that the play
takes place before the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Fences shows what it was like in the decade
before the movement caused such radical change in America. Some of the characters seem to sense
that progress is in the air, while others are still trapped in America's troubled past.
Questions About Race
1. What evidence of racial discrimination is seen in the play?
2. How do issues of race affect Troy's perception of the world? How about his relationship with his
family?
3. What is the key difference between the way Cory and Troy see the world in terms of race? How
does it affect the way they deal with the adversity of racial issues?
Chew on This
Fences shows the way in which racial discrimination can place strain on African-American families.
Theme of Men and Masculinity
Fences is often thought of as a father-son play. The main conflict centers around the tension between
Troy Maxson and his son Cory. The play shows how Troy in many ways repeats the mistakes of his own
father while raising Cory. By the end, we're left with the hope that Cory will be able to break the cycle.
Fences also questions what it is to be a man. Throughout the play we are forced to ask what it takes to
be a good man. Is it duty to your family? Is it following your heart? Check out "Quotes" and see what
you take from the play.
Questions About Men and Masculinity
1. In Troy's mind, what makes a man? How does his idea of what a man is affect his approach to
adverse situations?
2. Would Troy be proud of the man Cory has become by the end of the play? Why or why not?
Chew on This
Troy's idea of manhood is based on the harsh example set by his father.
By the end of Fences, Cory is on the road to becoming his own man by taking the best of his father and
leaving the negative qualities behind him.
Theme of Mortality
Though there are only two actual deaths in Fences, mortality is a constant theme. Troy Maxson kicks it
off by telling a story where he literally wrestled with Death and won. We get several monologues
throughout the play where he taunts Death, almost daring Him to try and take him again. In the end,
Death does take Troy, but we're left with the impression that Troy doesn't go down without a fight.
Fences seems to view human mortality as both a dark inevitability and our ultimate chance for peace.
When the gates of heaven open for Troy at the end of the play, we're left with the impression that he's
found rest in the afterlife.
Questions About Mortality
1. Is death the equivalent of the ultimate failure to overcome adverse situations?
Chew on This
Troy triumphs over Death because he never lets fear of it control his life.
Theme of Dreams, Hopes, Plans
Troy Maxson, the protagonist of Fences, has had his dreams taken from him. He wanted more than
anything to be a pro baseball player, but his career was stopped because of racial discrimination. The
central conflict of Fences centers around Troy's refusal to let his son Cory play football, which destroys
Cory's chances of going to college. In this way, Fences explores how the damaged dreams of one
generation can damage the dreams of the next. By the end of the play, Cory must find a way to form
new dreams out the ashes of the ones he's lost.
Questions About Dreams, Hopes, Plans
1. Does Troy put a stop to Cory's dreams out of love or bitterness? Why do you think so?
2. In what ways has Rose compromised her dreams for Troy? Is this her way of overcoming an
adverse situation?
3. What are Gabriel's dreams? Lyons's? Bono's? Do they do anything to achieve those dreams?
Chew on This
Troy always wanted more than he could actually achieve, which left him a bitter man.
Bono never had dreams of his own, causing him to live vicariously through Troy.