Characters
This is the main character who works as a garbage collector in Pittsburgh.
Who is Troy Maxson?
This is the day of the week when Troy and Bono usually meet to talk and drink.
What is Friday?
This is the person Troy argues with about playing football and following his dreams.
Who is Cory?
This literary element shows a character's personality through their words and actions.
What is characterization?
Troy works hard to earn money and take care of his family. What theme does this show?
What is responsibility?
This is Troy's wife, who wants him to build a fence around their home.
Who is Rose Maxson?
Troy wants to become this at his job instead of continuing to collect garbage.
What is a garbage truck driver?
This is the person Troy argues with about how he treats Cory and his family.
Who is Rose?
Rose wants Troy to build this around their yard. It becomes an important symbol in the play.
What is a fence?
Troy believes Black people have fewer opportunities because of racism. What theme does this show?
What is racial inequality?
This is Troy's best friend who visits him every Friday to talk and drink.
Who is Jim Bono?
Where did Troy learn how to play baseball?
What is in jail?
Troy believes Cory should focus on getting this instead of playing football.
What is a job?
Troy's stories about baseball help readers understand his disappointment about this.
What is his dream of becoming a professional baseball player?
Cory wants to play football, but Troy wants him to get a job. What type of conflict does this show?
What is a conflict between a parent and child?
What is Man vs. Man?
(Answers may vary)
This is Troy's younger brother, a war veteran who believes he is the Archangel Gabriel.
Who is Gabriel Maxson?
Cory wants to play this sport in college, but Troy does not support his dream.
What is football?
Troy believes he is protecting Cory, but Cory feels that Troy is doing this to him.
What is controlling his future or limiting his opportunities?
Troy describes Death as if it were a person he could fight. This is an example of this literary device.
What is personification?
Troy wants to protect Cory from the same problems he faced in life. However, he does not understand Cory's dreams. What does this show about Troy?
What is how the past can affect a person's choices?
(answers may vary)
This is Troy's oldest son, who wants money to support his dream of becoming a musician.
Who is Lyons Maxson?
At the end of Act One, Troy tells Cory he must do this instead of playing football.
What is get a job?
Troy's past experiences with racism make him believe Cory will face the same problems. This creates a conflict between Troy's beliefs and Cory's hopes for this.
What is a better future with more opportunities?
Troy's baseball stories connect his past to his struggles with this larger problem in society.
What is racism?
Troy does not allow Cory to play football because he believes Cory will face the same problems he faced. What does Troy fail to understand about Cory's future?
What is that Cory may have better opportunities than Troy did?
(answers may vary)