The Significance of the Title of August Wilson's Fences Anonymous 10th Grade

In the play, Fences, author August Wilson’s symbolism whispers figurative words of meaning to the audience, painting a more nuanced and extraordinary picture of the characters and the events in the story. The use of symbolism creates a deeper underlying meaning to each character’s actions and intentions. In his play, Fences, August Wilson skillfully chose a title that symbolizes three distinct themes of the story including the desire to keep family close, Troy’s attitude towards death, and the limitations presented by one’s background.

Rose’s plan to build a fence around her yard was her way of protecting her family and keeping them close to her, a case that would unfortunately not turn out to become a reality in its ideal form. Fences serve the purpose of enclosure and protection of an area, and with an undercurrent of insecurity that her family would not remain close with one another, her symbolic understanding is that the fence will keep her family within close reach, both physically and emotionally. Rose reveals the foundation of her insecurity to Troy when she says, “I ain’t never wanted no half nothing in my family. My whole family is half.” (p. 68) Growing up in a family built on betrayals of trust, her family lacked the...