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August Wilson, Fences Discussion Questions

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Responsibility vs. love driving parent-child relationships. money. work. meaning of life ... Does it confirm common prejudices or stereotypes about black men? ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: August Wilson, Fences Discussion Questions


1
August Wilson, FencesDiscussion Questions
  • The Fence
  • Why does Troy always defer working on the fence?
  • What does the fence stand for or symbolize? What
    are the different meanings discussed by
    characters in the play?
  • Why is the title of the play in the plural
    (Fences)?
  • Passages
  • P. 28-31 p. 61, p. 64, p. 77, p. 84, p. 89.

2
  • Father-Son Relationships
  • Troyhis father (pp. 50-52)
  • TroyLyons (p. 13ff, p. 56)
  • TroyCory (most of Act I, iiipp. 29-40 p. 57,
    p. 72, pp. 85-89 p. 96, p. 100)
  • What generational conflicts are brought out in
    their relationships?
  • Responsibility vs. love driving parent-child
    relationships
  • money
  • work
  • meaning of life/happiness
  • Are Troy and Cory just repeating the cycle? Or,
    can the cycle ever be broken?

3
  • Racism
  • To what degree are the conflicts in this play
    caused by racism or racial/social inequality?
    Or, are they more universal?
  • Why does the play highlight prejudice and
    inequality in sports (through Troys voice)?
  • p. 33
  • How does this issue of racial inequality in
    sports intrude upon the father-son relationships?
  • Is Troy too stubborn to acknowledge changes,
    especially positive ones? Does he simply blame
    racism for all his shortcomings?
  • Or Are some of the other characters blind to
    the ways in which racism limits their lives?
  • For Troy, what does racism have to do with his
    responsibility for caring for his family?
  • Why does Troy use the N-word so frequently?
    How does he use it and does its meaning change or
    vary?

4
  • Troy-Rose Relationship
  • Does Troy love Rose?
  • Why does he cheat on her?
  • P. 39-40 43, 49, 62-63, 66-72, 73-77, 78-79,

5
  • Troy
  • What is your take on his character Is he simply
    a flawed hero, is he despicable, is he typical?
    Can you sympathize with him?
  • Is Wilsons portrayal of Troy too harsh? Does it
    confirm common prejudices or stereotypes about
    black men?
  • What is the purpose of this character?

6
  • Can you see any links to other texts in this
    semester?
  • The Great Gatsby
  • Huck Finn
  • Poetry of Emily Dickinson
  • The Scarlet Letter
  • Son of the Forest
  • The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
  • What does this text say about American identity,
    as well as the ability of the individual to
    achieve his or her dreams/goals?

7
  • What is the significance of some minor
    characters, such as Bono and Gabriel?
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