Themes
This theme is shown through Troy’s struggles to provide for and protect his family.
What is responsibility?
This object in the title represents both protection and separation.
What is the fence?
The protagonist of the play who works as a garbage collector.
Who is Troy Maxson?
"You got to take the crookeds with the straights."
Who is Troy?
Troy works this job in Pittsburgh.
What is a garbage collector/sanitation worker?
This theme appears in Cory’s desire to pursue football, contrasting Troy’s past.
What is dreams/ambition?
This character represents innocence, spirituality, and mental escape.
Who is Gabriel?
Troy’s loyal wife who supports him until she discovers his affair.
Who is Rose?
"You’re always talking about what you give... and what you don’t give."
Who is Cory?
Troy tells Rose he’s been unfaithful and fathered a child with this woman.
Who is Alberta?
This theme is shown when Troy cheats on Rose, breaking her trust.
What is betrayal?
Troy’s baseball metaphors symbolize this aspect of his life.
What is missed opportunity/unfulfilled dreams?
Troy’s best friend and drinking buddy, who often acts as a voice of reason.
Who is Bono?
"I took all my feelings, my wants and needs, my dreams... and I buried them inside you."
Who is Rose?
This event causes a major fight and leads to Cory getting kicked out.
What is Cory wanting to play football (and defying Troy)?
Troy’s experiences as a Black man in 1950s America highlight this theme.
What is racism/systemic oppression?
This game Troy plays with Death shows his need to feel in control.
What is the “devil game” or “Troy’s battle with Death”?
Troy’s son who wants to play college football.
Who is Cory?
"I seen where he’s gone off to. Picked himself up a nice little old gal, too."
Who is Bono?
Troy gets this promotion at work, becoming the first Black man to hold that position.
What is a promotion to a driver?
This theme is seen in how Troy passes down his beliefs, even flawed ones, to Cory.
What is legacy/father-son relationships?
This broken item reflects Gabriel’s mental state and inability to function in society.
What is Gabriel’s trumpet?
Troy’s brother who has a metal plate in his head from WWII.
Who is Gabriel?
"It’s time to tell St. Peter to open the gates."
What is Gabriel?
The play ends with this symbolic moment involving Gabriel.
What is Gabriel trying to blow his trumpet to open the gates of heaven?