Fences: Imagery in August Wilson's Play - Essay Example

Fences serve are the metaphor for this. Early in the play, it is hinted that the building of the fences has been started, but not finished. It is also in bad need of paint. The fences could be seen as the metaphor for the relationships of the family inside the house that the fences “embraces.” The fences could either be what separates or bonds the family together. How each character views the fences is symbolical of how their relationship with each family member progresses --- or deteriorates.

Fences as Metaphor for Bonding or Separation The mere mention of the word “fences” makes one think of a house surrounded by fences. A fence is either a barrier or something that protects everyone it surrounds. It also creates a compartmentalization of the outside world from the inner family circle (Shannon 951). As the father and head of the family unit, Troy Maxson is supposedly the one responsible for building the fence around the family's yard. However, he sees the fence as something unimportant.

He tries to start building it but leaves it unfinished. However, Rose, Troy's wife, sees the fence as something important. She keeps on telling her husband to finish it. Here, we see that the fences serve different purposes for Troy and Rose. Bono, Troy's best friend for decades, tells Troy: [Bono]: Some people build fences to keep people out.and other people build fences to keep people in. Rose wants to hold on to you all. She loves you. (2.1.32) On the other hand, one can see Troy's indifference toward finishing the fences.

A conversation between Rose and Cory (Troy and Rose's son), portrays this: Rose: He [Troy] say you were supposed to help him with this fence. Cory: He been saying that the last four or five Saturdays, and then he don't never do nothing, but go down to Taylors'. (1.3.4-5) These conflicting feelings about the fences is a representation of Troy's attitude toward his wife, and Rose's feelings toward her husband and family. As the story progresses, one would see Troy having an affair and fathering a daughter with Alberta.

[Troy]: “I don't know how to say this.I can't explain it none. It just sort of grows on you till it gets out of hand. It starts out like a little bush.and the next thing you know it's a whole forest. (2.1.27) [Troy]: “I'm trying to find a way to tell you.I'm gonna be a daddy. I'm gonna be somebody's daddy. (2.1.79) On the other hand, Rose tries to do her best in fulfilling all the wifely duties expected of her during that era. [Rose]: I got some meat loaf in there. Go on and make you a sandwich. ( 1.3.10) [Rose]: “And upstairs in that room.

with the darkness falling in on me.I gave everything I had to try and erase the doubt that you wasn't the finest man in the world.Cause you was my husband. (2.1.122) While Troy treats their marriage indifferently, Rose tries to embrace her family together. Furthermore, while Troy tries to shut his wife out, Rose wants to maintain her relationship with her husband (Snodgrass 116). However, having the fence (barrier) left undone could mean that Troy still have something left for his wife and family.

He is not shutting them out of his life completely. It could be love due to their 18 years of marriage, and it could also be his sense of responsibility toward his family. [Troy]: I love this woman [Rose]. I love this woman so much it