Fences (play)

Fences is a play by August Wilson; it was his second play to go to Broadway. It secured a Tony for James Earl Jones and won a Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1987 for the author.

Related Topics:
August Wilson - Broadway - James Earl Jones - Pulitzer Prize - 1987

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The play is set after the Korean War and before the Vietnam War, from 1957 to 1965. Like many other Wilson plays, the main character is a tragic black man. In Fences, his name is Troy Maxson. Other major characters include:

Related Topics:
Korean War - Vietnam War

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• Bono - Troy's best friend, and obvious "follower" in their friendship.
• Rose - Troy's wife and the mother of Troy's second son (Cory).
• Cory - Troy's son, who against his father's wishes plays football (and quits his job).
• Gabriel - Troy's brother, who had previously served in the Army. He got "half his head blown off," and is now insane--believing himself to be the archangel Gabriel. Troy receives remuneration from the Army, money which he uses to build his house.
• Lyons - Troy's first son, who was not mothered by Rose. Troy always has the impression that Lyons only comes around for money.
• Alberta - a gal Troy "be eyeing." He cheats on Rose with Alberta because it gets his away from his responsibilities. She dies during childbirth.
• Raynell - Troy and Alberta's baby. Rose accepts the duty of being Raynell's mother, but renounces her attachment to Troy (by the end of the play).
 
Fences (play): Plot Summary ►