August Wilson’s Fences

Study Guide for aDVANCED lITERATURE sURVEY & cOMPOSITION

nOTE: yOU MAY PRINT OUT THIS STUDY GUIDE AND HANDWRITE YOUR
ANSWERS OR YOU MAY COMPLETE IT DIGITALLY. THIS ASSIGNMENT IS DUE
MONDAY, AUG. 23.

Before Reading
Directions: Before you read the play, use this document to answer the following questions.

1. Describe August Wilson’s place in American theatre.

August Wilson's place in American theatre is one of great importance, as he used his plays to highlight
the struggles of African American men, women, and families throughout the twentieth century. He was
one of the greatest African American playwrights in history.

2. Where is the Hill District located? What happened to the Hill District after World War II?
The Hill District is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After World War II, hundreds of African American
people and families were ousted from their homes due to redevelopment of the area. During the
redevelopment, a new parking lot and arena were built in place of primarily black owned homes. On top
of all this, the Hill district was also cut off from access to the downtown economy.

3. What is the baseball color line? When/why did it end?

The color line in baseball describes the segregation of white and black players into separate leagues,
with white people making up the major league, and black people making up the “negro league”. In order to
break the color line, a black person would have to become a player for a major league team. The color line was
broken in April 1947 when Jackie Robinson put on a Dodgers uniform. The color line was broken because in
1945, baseball was being discussed as one of the first sports in America to integrate, and Branch Rickley used
that as an opportunity to approach Jackie Robinson about joining the Dodgers.

4. Describe Blues music.

Blues music originated from African spirituals, work songs, and chants sung by enslaved African Americans, who
were the inventors of Blues music. Early Blues musicians added things like folk songs and minstrel tunes into
their music as well.

5. Fences is one play in the “Century Cycle” by August Wilson. What is the Century Cycle? How does Fences fit
into the cycle?
August Wilson’s century cycle consists of ten plays, each play representing the struggles and
experiences of African American people in a certain decade of the twentieth century. Fences is a
reflection of the 1950s for African American families.

Act 1
Scene One

1. What is the ritual of Friday nights for Troy and Bono?

Since Friday night is payday for both Troy and Bono, their celebratory ritual is to talk and drink together.

2. What do we learn about Troy and Bono from the story of the man “hiding” the watermelon from Mr. Rand?
Troy and Bono don't seem to be very sympathetic to the man who was attempting to hide the watermelon, and
this gives us some insight into their personalities.

3. What issue did Troy take up with the Union?

Troy filed a complaint that the company only had the white men driving the trucks and the black men lifting,
because driving is arguably the easier job of the two.

4. What do we learn about Troy from the conversation he has with Bono about Alberta?
We learn that Troy is married to a woman named Rose, and that Bono is suspicious that he is being unfaithful.

5. Describe the interaction between Rose and Troy as they discuss how they met.
I felt that their interaction was playful, but tense because Rose seemed to be uncomfortable with how Troy was
speaking.

6. What does Cory want to do with his life? What does Troy want Cory to learn in order to make a living?
Cory wants to pursue a career in sports. Troy, however, wants Cory to pursue a safer career, such as fixing cars.

7. What does Bono mean when he tells Troy: “Times have changed, Troy. You just come along too early”?
What Bono means by that is that things are getting better in the world, it's just that Troy was born in a time in
which things were worse, so he finds it hard to accept that things are changing.

8. When did Troy come close to experiencing death? What is ironic in Troy’s description of Death?
Troy came close to death when he had pneumonia in Mercy Hospital. The irony in Troy’s description of death is
that while he is speaking of vigilance, he is drinking an obscene amount of alcohol.

9. Who is Lyons? Describe his relationship with his father, Troy.

Lyons is Troy’s 34 year old son from a previous marriage, and he doesn't seem to be very close with his father,
as Troy is clearly upset at Lyons for only coming to see him when he needs something

10. How would you describe Troy and Rose’s relationship at the end of Scene One?
Troy seems to be upsetting Rose by making her uncomfortable with how he is speaking in front of Bono.

Scene Two
1. Describe the differences on how Troy and Rose view playing the lottery.
Rose views playing the lottery offhandedly as just a bit of fun, whereas Troy sees it as a serious waste of money.
Rose also believes that the good of winning outweighs the loss of the money spent, where Troy nly sees the
negative of the money lost when they don’t win.

2. How do we know that Rose knows how Troy feels even when he doesn’t speak up about what is bothering
him?
We know Rose is aware of how Troy feels because she tells him to stop worrying.

3. Who is Gabriel? Describe him and give his history.

Gabriel is Troy’s little brother, he carries a trumpet with him, as well as a basket full of fruit. He served and was
injured in World War II, causing him to have a metal plate in his head. He also seems to be mentally unstable,
since he believes that he is the archangel Gabriel.

4. What do we find out about how Troy used Gabe’s money?

Troy used Gabe’s money to buy himself a house that he let Gabe stay in until he wanted to move out.

5. When Troy says he is going to Taylor’s, where is he really going?

When Troy walked away, he was going to see Alberta, the woman that Bono was suspicious of.

6. Describe the fence and how it is used in this scene.

The fence is currently unbuilt, and Troy is putting off building the fence in order to be with Alberta so he can feel
like himself.
Scene Three
1. When Rose asks Troy about the “score of the game,” what is Troy’s response? Does it make sense that Rose
would ask about the game? Why?
Troy’s response to Rose’s question is indirect, and he does not give an answer, showing that he was dishonest
about whether he was really watching the game. It does make sense that Rose would ask about the score
because she may have been suspicious that Troy was not where he said he was.
2. What lesson is Troy trying to reach Cory when they are talking about the $200 for the TV? What does Troy
do that shows he wants to see Cory get the TV?
By talking about the amount of money that would be needed to fix the roof, he is trying to teach Cory that it is
better to be safe with money in case something more important than a TV comes up. Troy makes a deal with
Cory that he will pay for half the TV if Cor pays for the other, showing that he wants to see Cory get the TV.

3. According to Troy, why doesn’t he want Cory to get involved in sports? What does Troy want Cory to do?
Troy doesn’t want Cory to get involved in sports because “The colored guy got to be twice as good before they
get him on the team” (Wilson 34). Troy wants Cory to work at the A&P after school, or get a secure job like fixing
cars instead of sports.

4. Explain Troy’s comment about, “You’ve got to take the crookeds with the straights.”
What Troy means is that you have to accept bad days and much as good days, because sometimes life will just
let you down, but the next day will be better.

5. What is Troy’s response when Cory asks if ? What is Troy’s response? Do you think that Troy likes Cory?
Why?)
Troy’s response when Cory asks him this is to ask Cory if there's a law that he has to like him, and asks him why
he thinks he works as hard as he does to take care of Cory. Cory tells Troy that it's because he likes him, to
which Troy says that he doesn't have to like him because he owes Cory a responsibility for being his son. I do
think Troy likes Cory, because if he didn’t there would be no reason for him to try so hard to get Cory to have a
stable job and live a good life.

6. When Troy is talking with Rose, what does he say is his reason for keeping Cory from the sports?
Troy says that he doesn’t want Cory to be like him, to have what happened to him in sports happen to Cory.

7. What does Rose want Troy to admit about his experience with playing baseball and why he didn’t make it in
the major league?
Rose wants Troy to admit that he didn't get into the major leagues because he was too old.

8. What is the message made at the end of the scene? (Rose says it.)
The message made is that times have changed, and Troy just needs to be open minded enough to see it.

Scene Four
1. At the opening of this scene, how do we, as the audience, know that Cory has not followed his father’s
wishes?
The audience knows that Cory has disobeyed his father because he is seen with his Football gear, even after
Troy told him to quit.

2. Since it’s Friday, what do we know will be happening with Troy and Bono?
Troy and Bon will be getting their payday and will be continuing their tradition of talking and drinking.

3. Before Troy shares his news with Rose, to whom does-- Bono imply—Troy shared the information with first?
What does Troy do with Bono’s implication?
Bono implies that Troy told Alberta before Rose, but Troy dismisses this implication by saying he told everyone.

4. What was the name of Troy’s dog? And what did Troy do in memory of that dog?
Troy’s dog was named Blue, and Troy sang a song his father made up dedicated to Blue.

5. What is the news that Troy has to share—with Rose?

Troy wants to share with Rose the news that he had been promoted to a driver.

6. Why does Lyons come to visit? What is Troy’s response? (Are you surprised?)
Lyons came in order to pay Troy his money back, and Troy’s response is to tell Lyons to keep the money, so next
time he needs money, he won't bother Troy. I am not surprised because it fits with Troy’s personality for him to
be too proud to admit he was wrong about Lyons and take the money.

7. What nickname does Gabriel have for Lyons?

Gabriel has nicknamed Lyons The King of the Jungle, due to his name sounding like lions.

8. According to Rose, why is Lyons living over at Miss Pearl’s? What is Troy’s view on Lyon’s decision? (Why
do you think Troy feels this way?)
Rose believes that he is living at Miss Pearl’s because she is kind to him. Troy thinks that his decision to live at
Miss Pearl’s was silly because he didn't “put no rules on him” (Wilson 49). I think Troy feels this way because he
feels guilty that he spent his brother’s money on a house that he can no longer take care of him in.

9. What does Rose ask Troy to do for Cory?

She asks Troy to sign Cory's permission slip so he can play football.

10. What upsets Troy about Cory?

Troy is upset that Cory lied to him about working at the A&P on weekends and after school.
11. In looking at Troy’s relationship with his father:
What was important to Troy’s father? (according to Troy)
According to troy, the only thing that was important to his father was getting cotton to Mr. Lubin.
Why didn’t his father leave?
Troy’s father didn’t leave because he was trapped by only knowing how to farm.
Although Troy’s father chose to stay with his family, how did Troy describe him?
Troy describes his father as evil.
What happened to Troy’s mother?
Troy’s mother escaped from his father and he never saw her again.
What event changed Troy’s relationship with his father?
The event that changed Troy’s relationship with his father was when he decided that he was going to
stand up to his father and attempt to overpower him.
What decision did Troy make? How old was he at the time?
At the age of 14, Troy decided that he needed to get away from his father, so he ran away.

12. Briefly describe the major events in Troy’s life leading up to his meeting Rose.
After Troy ran away from his father, he found Lyons’ mother and had Lyons. With a family to feed, he began to
steal more than he already was. While attempting to rob someone, he was shot in the chest, he then killed the
man who shot him and was jailed for 15 years. While in prison he met Bono and learned how to play baseball, he
was then released from prison and met Rose.

13. What request does Lyons make of Troy? What is Troy’s response?
Lyons asks Troy to come and hear him play at the Grill. Troy then tells Lyons that he won't go because he’s “too
old to be sitting around in them clubs” (WIlson 55).

14. What is “ironic” about Troy telling Bono, “I love you, man”? How long has Troy known Bono?
Troy telling Bono that he loves him is ironic because neither of them can remember how long they’ve known
each other. There's never a direct answer about how long Troy and Bono have known each other, but it is stated
that they’ve known each other longer than Troy has known Rose.
15. Why is Cory upset with Troy?
Cory is upset with Troy because Troy told Cory’s coach that he wasn't going to play football anymore, and that
he should tell the recruiter not to come. This, of course, ruins Cory’s dream of playing football in college.

16. What action did Cory do to which Troy refers as a “strike one”?
Cory tells Troy that he doesn't want Cory to succeed because Troy never had a chance. Troy calls this “strike
one”.

ACT 2
Scene One
1. According to Rose, why was Gabe arrested?
Gabe was arrested because he was “disturbing the peace”, according to Rose.

2. What does Bono want to find out from Troy?

Bono wants to find out what Troy has been doing with Alberta, and whether he is being unfaithful.

3. What is the significance of Bono’s reason for building fences? (What is the purpose of fences?)
Bono states that fences can be built to keep people out, or to keep people in. The significance behind this
statement is that Rose loves Troy and wants to keep him close to her, and Bono is reminding Troy of that.

4. According to Bono, what caused him to admire Troy and know that Troy was a man worth following?
According to Bono, when he saw that Troy had picked Rose out of every other girl, he realised that Troy was
sensible and worth following.

5. What does Bono say that Troy tells him all the time?
Bono says that Troy tells him that he is in control of his own life all the time.

6. What is the deal that Troy and Bono strike—right before Bono leaves?
Before Bono departs, he makes a deal with Troy that as soon as Tro finishes building the fence for Rose, he’ll
buy a refrigerator for his wife.

7. What does Rose think would be best for Gabe? Why doesn’t Troy agree?
Rose thinks that putting Gabe in a hospital would be what’s best for him. Troy, however, disagrees because
Gabe “ruined his life fighting” (Wilson 65), and should be allowed to roam free.

8. What news does Troy have for Rose?

Troy needs to tell Rose that he has been unfaithful to her, and is now the father of another woman’s child.

9. How does Troy’s news affect what Rose wanted for her life?(How do we know that Rose is really hurt and
upset by the information?)
Rose states that all she wanted was to be a good wife, that she had spent the last 18 years trying to be the best
wife she could be. Now, with this information, she feels as though the last 18 years have been for nothing. We
can tell she is hurt by this information through the constant pausing in her speech, and her ignoring of Troy’s
interruptions.

10. What is Troy’s reason for his relationship with Alberta?

Troy states that he feels as though he has been standing in one place for his entire life, but being with Alberta
makes him feel as though he's finally making some progress, and he can be carefree and laugh.

11. What metaphor does Troy use for his life? Why does it seem fitting?
Troy uses Baseball as a metaphor for his life. It is fitting because he says that he's been at first base for his whole
life, but with Alberta he feels like he can finally make it to second, to finally make some progress.
12. Explain Troy’s reaction to Rose saying “You take…and don’t even know nobody’s giving.”
Troy reacts violently toward Rose when she says this because he feels that he has given everything he can to
her, and that it’s not unreasonable to want some joy in return.

13. Describe what happens when Cory comes into the scene.
Cory sees his father hurting his mother and punches Troy in the chest, attempting to get him to stop hurting
Rose.

Scene Two
1. Since the end of Scene One, how much time has passed?
6 months have passed since the end of scene one.

2. What information does Rose want from Troy? Why?

Rose wants to know if Troy will be coming home directly after he is done working, because she wants to see him
more often and she doesn't want to live like they are strangers.

3. Why does Troy want to go to the hospital to see Alberta?

Alberta is due to have the baby early, so Troy wants to see Alberta as soon as possible.

4. What information has Rose found out from Miss Pearl? What is Troy’s response?
Rose says that Miss Pearl informed her that Troy had Gabriel locked up. Troy’s immediate response is to deny it
and say that Miss Pearl is being dishonest.

5. What news did Rose get from the phone call?

Rose received news from the hospital that Alberta died during childbirth and that the child is a girl.

6. How does Troy respond to the news?

Troy is initially in shock, but soon becomes angry when Rose ponders who is going to bury Alberta, and begins
muttering to himself about challenging death.

Scene Three
1. What does Troy want from Rose?
Troy wants Rose to take pity on his daughter since she is innocent, and agree to become her mother and give
her a home.

2. Although Rose agrees, what does she tell Troy?

Rose tells Troy that he is a “womanless man” (Wilson 79).

Scene Four
1. What is the name of Troy’s daughter?
Troy’s daughter’s name is Raynell.

2. Why does Lyons come by? What does this action show?
Lyons visits Troy to repay him 20 dollars. This action shows that Troy was right because Lyons is still borrowing
money from him, but it also shows that Lyons is honorable since he is repaying his debt.

3. What is Cory busy trying to do? (How has his life turned out different than he wanted?)
Cory is trying to find a job. Cory’s original dream was to pursue professional sports as a vocation, but now
because of Troy’s intervention, he is still stuck trying to find a decent living.

4. How has Troy’s relationship changed with Bono?

Ever since Troy had been promoted to driver, he and Bono don't see each other very often at work, and thus
they have grown apart, no longer close friends.
5. Describe Cory’s reaction to Troy. What upset Troy the most?
Cory’s reaction to Troy is one of indifference and frustration as he tries to get past him. What upset Troy the most
was Cory’s attitude toward him, because Troy feels that he deserves more respect for everything he’s done for
Cory.
6. What does Cory accuse Troy doing to Gabe?
Cory accuses Troy of stealing Gabes money and then abandoning him.

7. To what does the relationship of Troy and Cory’s seem familiar ? Explain.
Troy and Cory’s relationship seems similar to Troy and his father’s relationship. This is because both Troy and
Cory were upset with their fathers for holding them back. With Troy it was his father’s cruelty and obsession over
farming. For Cory, it was Troy’s lack of empathy and betrayal. Both stood up to their fathers and lost, losing their
homes.

8. When Cory says, “I’ll be back for my things,” what is Troy’s response?
When Cory says this, Troy responds by saying that they'll be on the other side of the fence.

Scene Five
1. What is the year of this scene?
The year is 1965.

2. What has happened to Cory?

Cory was presumably unable to find a job and went into the military, becoming a Corporal in the United States
Marines.

3. Who does Bono say that Cory reminds him of?

Bono says that Cory reminds him of Troy when he first met him.

4. What has happened to Lyons? (two main things)

Lyons and his girlfriend Bonnie split up and he was sent to a workhouse for three years for fraud.

5. What evidence do we have that Troy loved Cory even though he had kicked Cory out?
When Troy was alive, he called Raynell’s room Cory’s room, which shows that Troy was still attached to Cory. He
also kept Cory’s old football.

6. What is ironic about the way Troy died?

It is ironic because Troy died swinging a bat, the same bat that he said he would fight death with.

7. When Cory says he isn’t going to Troy’s funeral, what is Rose’s reasoning for him to go?
Rose’s reasoning is that Cory can’t break away from Troy because Troy is already a part of him, no matter what
Cory does to try and deny it.

8. According to Rose, what did Troy hope to do in raising Cory?

Rose states that Troy wanted Cory to be everything he wasn't and be everything he was.

9. What is Rose’s hope for Raynell?

Rose hopes that she can do what Troy did for Cory, to leave the best parts of her in Raynell.

10. Describe the significance of what happens to Gabriel at the end of the play.
I don't quite understand what happened to him, but it seems like when he realised he wasn't going to be able to
make a sound with the trumpet, he decided to use his own voice instead, in order to open the gates of heaven
for Troy.