Exploring Themes of Control, Race, and Family Dynamics in August Wilsons Fences

Name Instructor Course Date Mini Research Essay: August Wilson Fences Introduction August Wilson (1945-2005) is a renowned American author for his influential works that explored African American experiences. Wilson grew up in Pittsburgh’s Hill District an area that significantly influenced his writing especially the Ten-Pay Cycle which features the “Fences.” Wilson remains as a celebrated figure for his contributions to the African American theatre. One of Wilson’s literatures is the Ten-Play Cycle which features ten district plays with each set in a different decade within 20th century. All of these plays explore African American experiences most especially in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania revolving around family, identity and race themes. The Ten-Play Cycle analyses the evolution of the African American throughout the 20th century. “Fences” is the sixth play within the Ten-Play Cycle set in the 1950s with Troy Maxson as its protagonist. Wilson explores the protagonists’ struggles with unfulfilled dreams, racism and strained relationships with his son Cory and wife Rose. As the title of the play, “fences” symbolizes the psychological and emotional barriers that the protagonist constructs around self and his family as the play digs deeper into analyzing race, family and generational conflicts. Throughout the “Fences”, Wilson expresses Troy’s urge to control lives of Rose, Cory and Gabriel and in return, contrary to Troy’s expectations, these victims expressed improved control of their own lives by the end of the play. The “Fences” revolves around Troy Maxson a former Negro League Baseball Player currently working as a garbage collector who attempts to control lives of those around him as expressed in Rose’s life who later expresses improved control over Troy’s demands. One can argue that throughout the play, this protagonist tries to ensure that Rose has no say over her life as makes decisions without her consent. For instance as an expression