What is the significance of the title “Fences”? This question often arises when discussing the renowned play by August Wilson, which explores the complex relationships and racial tensions within a black community in the 1950s. The title itself holds immense importance, as it serves as a metaphor for the physical, emotional, and social barriers that characters in the play face, and the struggle to overcome them.
The play revolves around the lives of Troy Maxson and his family, highlighting the impact of segregation and racial discrimination on their lives. The title “Fences” represents the literal and figurative barriers that Troy and his peers encounter. These barriers are not only external, such as the literal fences that separate them from their neighbors, but also internal, such as the mental and emotional barriers that prevent them from achieving their full potential.
In the first act, the play opens with Troy and his friend Bono working on building a fence around Troy’s property. This act of building a fence symbolizes the struggle to establish a sense of identity and belonging in a world that is rife with racism and discrimination. The fence, in this context, serves as a reminder of the divisions that exist between black and white communities, and the efforts required to bridge these gaps.
Moreover, the fence can be seen as a metaphor for the social and emotional barriers that Troy faces throughout his life. His father, who abandoned him and his brother, represents the initial fence that Troy had to overcome. As the story progresses, we learn that Troy himself has become a barrier to his own children’s happiness and success. His inability to confront his past and his actions have created emotional fences that prevent his family from truly connecting with him.
The significance of the title “Fences” also lies in its representation of the American Dream. For many African Americans during the 1950s, the American Dream was a distant and unattainable goal, as they were constantly hindered by racial barriers. The fence, in this sense, symbolizes the obstacles that must be overcome to achieve the American Dream. While some characters in the play, such as Cory, manage to break through these barriers, others, like Troy, are left trapped behind the fence, unable to move forward.
In conclusion, the title “Fences” is significant because it encapsulates the various barriers that characters in the play face. These barriers are not only physical, but also emotional and social, and they reflect the broader challenges that African Americans encountered during the 1950s. By exploring these themes, August Wilson invites us to reflect on the nature of these fences and the importance of breaking them down to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
