1

Department of American Culture and Literature

American Intellectual History and Criticism II
Final Exam
19. 06. 2023

Name: Simge Öner

Student Id: 07160000925
Write a well-developed essay on your film presentations of African American cultural history.
Your essays should include the works cited you have already submitted during the presentations.

BUILDING AND BREAKING FENCES

Fences is a period drama film released in 2016. It is directed by Denzel Washington, and
the screenplay is written by August Wilson, adapted from Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play of
the same name and the film adaptation stays true to the play's storyline, characters, and themes.
The notable cast of the film includes Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, and Jovan Adepo, among
others. Fences is part of Wilson's ten-play series called "The Pittsburgh Cycle" or "Century
Cycle," which depicts the African American experience throughout the 20th century. “This
collection of plays are each set in a different decade and aim to sketch the Black experience in
the 20th century and "raise consciousness through theater" and echo "the poetry in the everyday
language of black America"” (“The Century Cycle of August Wilson Intensive Series”). The
film, which tells the story of the Maxson family, takes place in Pittsburgh in the 1950s and it
focuses on the challenges they face as they navigate societal expectations, racial tensions, and the
pursuit of happiness.

In order to better understand the film, it is important to first examine the life of August
Wilson, the author of the play to which the film was adapted, because we see many similarities
between Wilson's screenplay and his own life. August Wilson is a renowned playwright known
for his powerful and influential works that explore the African American experience throughout
the 20th century. His plays tackle various themes such as race, family dynamics, history, identity,
and the African American experience. He won many awards for his plays, including two Pulitzer
Prizes and he is considered one of the most important and influential playwrights in American
 2

theater, celebrated for his powerful storytelling, rich character development, and insightful
portrayal of African American life. His original name was Frederick August Kittel Jr., and he
grew up in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a diverse neighborhood with a
predominantly African American population that he frequently depicted in his plays. He was
raised by his African American mother after his immigrant German father abandoned the family.
Wilson struggled with finding a sense of belonging to a particular culture and did not feel that he
truly fit into African American or white culture until later in his life. He started with poetry and
then turned his poetic eye toward playwriting. In 1960, Wilson changed his last name Kittel to
his mother's last name Wilson which shows us the importance of the mother figure for him, and
his early life experiences are reflected in his plays, as he draws inspiration from his own
upbringing and the challenges he faced.

Fences which tells the story of the Maxson family takes place in Pittsburgh in the 1950s.
The protagonist, Troy Maxson, is a middle-aged African American man who is a former baseball
player and current garbage collector. The plot revolves around Troy's relationships with his wife
Rose, sons Cory and Lyons, and mentally disabled brother Gabriel. The play explores themes of
family, responsibility, race, and the impact of personal choices on one's relationships and future.
The complexity of Troy's character is a focal point, as he deals with his own disappointments and
confronts the challenges of a changing world. Troy is bitter about the unfulfilled dreams of his
youth and the racial barriers that prevented him from achieving his aspirations as a baseball
player. His complex dynamics with his family are influenced by his strict, authoritarian nature
and his struggle to balance responsibility and personal desires. As the story progresses, conflicts
rise between Troy and his son Cory, who aspires to be a football player, leading to a clash of
dreams and generations. Ultimately, Fences examines the fences people build around themselves
and the barriers they face in pursuit of their dreams.

In order to better analyze the film and its screenplay, it is important to know the details
about the characters. As the protagonist, Troy is a middle-aged African American garbageman
living in Pittsburgh in the 1950s. When he was a child, he was abandoned by his mother and left
his abusive father in the South and learns to be independent, eventually settling in the North.
Probably because of these, Troy's values are deeply grounded in a strong sense of responsibility.
He approaches his own obligations with great diligence and holds others to the same standard,
 3

expecting them to fulfill their responsibilities towards him. He had a promising career as a
baseball player in his youth. He was a talented player, known for his strength and skill on the
field but despite his talent, he was denied the opportunity to play in the Major Leagues due to the
segregation policies of the time. This disappointment and the loss of his dreams in baseball had a
profound impact on Troy's life and contributed to his bitterness, so he does not allow his child,
Cory to play baseball despite his talent and desire to avoid his own disappointments, because he
thinks that they will not allow black people to advance in baseball, no matter how talented he is.
Also, he is against his other son Lyon being a musician because according to him a man should
take responsibility and earn good money. After Troy left his father at a very young age, he
remained on the streets and survived theft, so he went to jail. Therefore, he wants his sons to be
responsible and stand on their own feet in the same way. Also, Troy thinks that black people start
life one zero behind because of their color, so they don't have time for their pleasure or
themselves. Both literally and figuratively, Troy is depicted as a large and powerful man, which
serves as a symbolic representation of the magnitude of racial discrimination. The name "Troy"
alludes to the legendary city in Homer's Iliad, symbolizing the downfall of Troy Maxson in the
play. So, we can say that the death of Troy at the end of the story may symbolize the end of
discrimination, and his surname "Maxson" is a fusion of "Mason" and "Dixon," referencing the
Mason-Dixon line that separated slave states from free states. Troy serves as a bridge between
the South and the North, and this duality drives a dividing line between him and his sons.
Another important point about him is he confronts his boss to become the driver of the garbage
truck because back then only whites could drive, and blacks can become garbagemen. While
everybody's worried about him getting fired, the boss promotes him to the driver. However, he is
disappointed to be separated from his friends in the back of the truck and for some reason still
can't understand that times have changed so he continues to pressure Cory about baseball. Troy's
shattered dreams have turned him into a man who easily falls for his own illusions. He frequently
narrates grand tales of his battle with a personified Death or Devil figure. He claims to have no
fear of death. In my opinion, the death or demon figures symbolize all the losses and obstacles in
Troy's life. He is a complex exploration of human nature, race, and the struggles of the working-
class African American experience in 1950s America. Despite his flaws, Troy is also shown to
have moments of vulnerability, love, and a deep desire to provide for his family.
 4

Rose is Troy's wife. She is a strong and compassionate woman who deeply cares for her
family and is often the voice of reason and stability within the Maxson household. She supports
and stands by Troy, despite his flaws and shortcomings, she is dedicated to creating a loving and
nurturing home for her family, but she has not lived her own life. “When your daddy walked
through the house, he was so big he filled it up. That was my first mistake. Not to make him
leave some room for me” says Rose to his son Cory (Fences 2:05:41-06:02). Despite being
married to Rose, Troy engages in an illegitimate affair with another woman, Alberta. They have
an unplanned child and when Alberta dies in childbirth, Troy asks Rose to take care of the baby.
This betrayal deeply hurts Rose, who had dedicated herself to their marriage and family. “I’ll
take care baby for you. Cause like you said, she is innocent. You can’t visit the sins of the father
to the child. . . . Right now, this child is got a mother, but you are a womanless man” says Rose.
(Fences 1:40:10–41:05)

Cory is Troy and Rose's son. He is a determined and talented high school football player
with dreams of playing in college. Cory's ambition and passion for football often clash with his
father's disapproval and discouragement. Despite facing obstacles and his father's resistance,
Cory remains committed to pursuing his football aspirations. He represents the younger
generation's desire for opportunities and the chance to break free from the limitations imposed by
racial barriers. Troy kicks Cory out of the house during one of their fights because that's the way
Troy will keep him from playing baseball and get him on his feet, just like he did. Troy here may
represent racial discrimination since he prevents him from playing baseball, hindering, or
continuing to weave the fences that the film symbolizes. On the other hand, through his
character, Cory symbolizes the hope for a better future and the resilience to pursue one's dreams,
even in challenging circumstances and time has changed. His journey reflects the generational
divide and the struggles faced by African American youth during that period. It can be said that
Cory's growth and development throughout the story highlight the complexities of familial
relationships and the pursuit of individual identity.

Lastly, the other important character in the film is Gabriel who is Troy's younger brother.
He is mentally disabled because of a war injury sustained during World War II. In my opinion, he
serves as a symbol of innocence, purity, and spiritual connection in the story. Also, Gabriel's
disability and his experiences in war may demonstrate the sacrifices made by African American
 5

soldiers and the lasting impact of their service. Due to his injury, Gabriel lives in a state of
psychosis, believing himself to be the archangel, Gabriel. He expresses his delusions through
songs that serve as warnings about judgment day and often mentions his mission to protect
against sinning demons, referred to as hellhounds, and he claims to have personally witnessed
Troy's name recorded in St. Peter's Book of Judgment.

The symbol of the fence in Fences plays a significant role in conveying the multifaceted
themes and conflicts within the film. The fence represents both physical and metaphorical
barriers that individuals encounter in their lives. It symbolizes the confinement and restrictions
imposed by society, particularly on African Americans during the 1950s. As the story progresses,
we see the fences being completed. Troy was delaying the construction of the fences that Rose
wants, which is a symbol of his abandoning his family. Also, it symbolizes the things Troy wants
to keep out. Dividing the line between him and his son, both physically and emotionally as well
as his wants to keep out the death of his loved ones. “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” says Troy’s best friend Bono (Fences 1:08:12-08:21).

Their conflicting viewpoints and values stem from the generation gap between them.
Troy's difficult past and experiences shape his outlook on life, while Cory represents the younger
generation's hopes and ambitions. Troy tries to impose his own beliefs and limitations on Cory,
hindering his pursuit of personal dreams. This conflict explores the challenges and
misunderstandings that can arise between fathers and sons, highlighting the complexities of
familial relationships and the struggle for individual autonomy and self-fulfillment. These fences
reflect the strained relationship and lack of understanding between the characters. Troy’s
attempts to protect his son, but also his fear of allowing him to pursue his dreams. Cory, on the
other hand, feels confined and restricted by his father's expectations. These metaphorical fences
symbolize the disconnect and conflict between the two, as they struggle to bridge the gap and
find common ground. After Troy dies, or symbolically the shadow of racial discrimination has
faded, Cory, the symbol of new times and hope, comes home on the day of the funeral. The baby
from Troy's illegitimate relationship named Alberta has grown up and she has started growing
plants in the garden, but she says to Rose that the seeds she planted just yesterday seem like they
will never grow, and Rose says that it takes time. Raynell's seeds are clearly a symbol of new
 6

beginnings and hope. As the final scene approaches, Cory and Raynell sing together their father's
song "Old Blue" as a symbol of both respect and reconciliation towards their father.

In the final moments of Fences, Troy's brother Gabriel, who believes he is the archangel,
Gabriel, attempts to open the gates of heaven for Troy on the day of his funeral. Despite his
fervent belief and blowing the trumpet, nothing comes out, leading Gabriel to realize that he may
not be an angel after all. Then, even if we can’t see it in the movie in a proper way, in the play, he
begins to move in a strange and atavistic dance, suggesting a return to a primal or ancestral state.
This dance may represent Gabriel reconnecting with his African roots, which were suppressed
and lost during the era of slavery and European cultural dominance. The failure of Christianity,
symbolized by the silent trumpet, prompts Gabriel to tap into his African-ness and unleash a
dance buried within him. This idea of African Americans embracing their cultural heritage is a
recurring theme in August Wilson's works. The play suggests that Gabriel's ritualistic
performance opens the gates of heaven for Troy, symbolizing a connection to the divine and a
reclaiming of lost identity. Wilson's use of this magical moment at the end of a predominantly
realistic play underscores the characters' ability to transcend their challenging lives and briefly
touch something greater. Also, considering that Troy represents racial discrimination, the self-
closing of the fenced garden gate as soon as Gabe can blow the trumpet symbolizes that the
shadow of Troy or the past is now outside of the fence. So that now, Cory can break the chain
with the values of the changing time and raise his own child in a way that won’t be defeated by
racial discrimination and follow his dreams.

In conclusion, Fences impresses audiences with its realistic narration and in-depth
development of the characters, leading them to understand the social barriers and personal
struggles the characters face. Fences is noted for its ability to capture the essence of August
Wilson's African experience and for his profound insights into the human condition. The fence,
which carries a metaphorical meaning throughout the story, represents the restrictions,
limitations and conflicts within the family imposed by the society. As the story unfolds, the film
emphasizes how important it is to break free from the shackles of the past, provide
understanding, and move towards new beginnings and hopes. With its’ acting performances,
impressive dialogues, and strong emotional moments, Fences reflects the social fabric of 1950s
America and the complexity of family relationships, while making the audience think deeply.
 7

Works Cited

Fences. Directed by Denzel Washington, performances by Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, and
Jovan Adepo, Paramount Pictures, 2016.

“Fences Full Play Analysis.” Sparknotes, SparkNotes, www.sparknotes.com/drama/fences/plot-

analysis/.

LitCharts. “Fences Characters.” LitCharts, www.litcharts.com/lit/fences/characters.

Shmoop Editorial Team. “Fences.” Shmoop, Shmoop University, 11 Nov. 2008,

www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/fences-august-wilson.

“The Century Cycle of August Wilson Intensive Series.” The Agora Foundation, 2022,
www.agorafoundation.org/century-cycle-august-wilson.