Author & Background
Who is the author of Fences?
August Wilson.
Who is the main character of Fences?
Troy Maxson.
What does the fence symbolize in the play?
Emotional boundaries, protection, and separation.
What major social issue does Fences discuss?
Racial discrimination.
In which decade is Fences set?
The 1950s.
What sport did Troy play in his youth?
Baseball.
What literary device is used when Troy compares life to baseball?
Metaphor.
What theme is shown through the conflict between Troy and Cory?
Generational conflict.
Where does the play mainly take place?
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Why does Troy refuse to let Cory play football?
Because of his bitterness about racial discrimination and his own failed sports career.
What does Gabriel’s trumpet symbolize?
Hope, salvation, and spiritual freedom.
How does Rose view the idea of family responsibility?
She believes responsibility includes love, care, and emotional support.
Which literary series does Fences belong to?
The Pittsburgh Cycle (or American Century Cycle)
Who is Gabriel, and how is he related to Troy?
He is Troy’s brother and a disabled war veteran.
What device is used when Troy talks about Death as a person?
Personification.
What does the ending suggest about forgiveness or legacy?
It suggests the possibility of forgiveness and understanding.