What Does Fences Symbolism In Fences

What Does the Fence Symbolize in August Wilson's Fences?

August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Fences, is a powerful exploration of race, family, and the American Dream in the 1950s. While the play unfolds through the complex relationships between its characters, the recurring motif of the fence acts as a potent symbol, layered with meaning and contributing significantly to the play's overall thematic richness. Understanding the symbolism of the fence is crucial to grasping the play's central conflicts and the ultimate fate of its protagonists.

The Fence as a Barrier to Dreams

The most immediate and obvious symbolic interpretation of the fence is as a barrier. Troy Maxson, the play's protagonist, is driven by a desire to build a fence around his yard, a physical manifestation of his yearning for security and stability. This desire, however, stems from a deep-seated fear – a fear rooted in his experiences of racial prejudice and the systemic injustices he faced throughout his life. Having experienced the harsh realities of segregation and discrimination, Troy seeks to create a safe haven for his family, a sanctuary protected from the outside world's hostility.

Protecting the Family from Societal Ills:

The fence represents Troy's attempt to shield his family from the pervasive racism and inequality that continue to plague African American communities. He envisions it as a bulwark against the harsh realities of the world, a place where his loved ones can feel safe and secure. This protective instinct, however noble in intention, ultimately proves to be a form of containment, limiting his family's opportunities and hindering their personal growth. The fence, intended to keep out the negativity of the outside world, ironically becomes a barrier to his family's aspirations and their ability to pursue their own dreams.

Containing his own Past and Insecurities:

The fence also acts as a barrier that Troy constructs to contain his own past traumas and insecurities. His experiences as a Black man in a racially prejudiced society have left deep scars. His time in prison, his struggles with finding work, and his sense of being denied opportunities have shaped his character and his perspective on life. The fence, therefore, serves as a defense mechanism, protecting him from confronting these painful memories and the resulting vulnerability. It allows him to maintain a sense of control, however illusory, in the face of the many hardships he has endured.

The Fence as a Symbol of Isolation and Entrapment

While the fence initially appears to offer protection, it gradually reveals its darker side – its capacity to isolate and entrap. As the play progresses, the fence's symbolic weight shifts from a representation of security to one of confinement. The physical act of building the fence becomes a metaphor for Troy's emotional and psychological distance from his wife, Rose, and his son, Cory.

Isolating Troy from his Family:

Troy's obsession with building the fence highlights his emotional detachment from his family. He prioritizes the physical barrier over emotional connection, preferring the tangible act of construction to the less certain and more challenging task of nurturing genuine relationships. The fence becomes a manifestation of his rigid personality and his reluctance to allow himself to be vulnerable or open to others. This creates a growing chasm between Troy and his family, further isolating him and ultimately leading to tragic consequences.

Limiting the Freedom of his Sons:

The fence also symbolically impedes the freedom and aspirations of Troy’s sons, Cory and Lyons. Troy's strict control, mirrored by the fence he builds, prevents Cory from pursuing his dreams of playing football and attending college, representing a direct constraint on his ambitions and potential. This symbolizes a generational struggle – the father's attempts to protect his son from the realities of the world ironically limit his opportunities and stifle his individual growth. The fence, therefore, is not just a barrier to the outside world but also a barrier to the future and the potential success of his sons.

The Fence as a Metaphor for the American Dream's Illusions

The act of building the fence, coupled with Troy's relentless pursuit of providing for his family, can be viewed as a distorted reflection of the American Dream. However, Troy's interpretation of this dream is tainted by his personal experiences and limited perspectives.

A Distorted Pursuit of the American Dream:

Troy's ambition to build a physical fence mirrors the often-illusory nature of the American Dream. He believes he's achieving something substantial for his family, but this perceived success comes at a steep price—namely, his fractured relationships. The material acquisition, represented by the fence, becomes a substitute for genuine emotional connection and fulfillment. His hard work and dedication are channeled into a tangible creation rather than investing in his family’s emotional well-being.

The Limitations of Materialism:

The fence underscores the limitations of a purely materialistic understanding of the American Dream. While the fence offers a sense of security, it does nothing to address the more fundamental issues that plague the family – the lack of communication, the unresolved conflicts, and the deep-seated resentments. The fence stands as a symbol of the superficiality of chasing only material possessions and neglects the essential elements of family harmony and emotional connection. It fails to protect against the very things that truly threaten the family's well-being.

The Fence as a Symbol of Death and Decay

Beyond representing barriers and illusions, the fence also holds symbolic weight concerning death and the inevitability of decay. The physical act of constructing the fence mirrors the relentless passage of time and the encroaching presence of mortality.

The Inevitability of Time's March:

The building of the fence foreshadows Troy's own impending death and the eventual decay of things he's tried to protect. The fence, a monument to his efforts, will eventually crumble and fade, just as Troy himself will succumb to illness and age. This mirrors the transient nature of human life, highlighting the futility of attempting to create lasting protection against the inevitable march of time.

The Erosion of Family Bonds:

The fence can be seen as a symbol of the erosion of family bonds that occurs throughout the play. Initially intended to protect the family, the fence ironically becomes a symbol of the growing division and separation within the family unit. The fence, initially erected to offer a sense of security and togetherness, ultimately becomes a visual representation of the family’s emotional fragmentation and growing distances.

The Fence as a Symbol of Legacy and Inheritance

The fence also embodies Troy's attempts to shape his legacy and leave something tangible behind for future generations. This ambition, however, is fraught with conflict and ultimately contributes to the play's tragic resolution.

Defining His Legacy:

The act of building the fence represents Troy's desire to define his legacy. He wants to leave a lasting mark on the world, to create something tangible that will outlast his own mortality. The fence, therefore, acts as a symbolic representation of his attempts to leave a legacy, a concrete manifestation of his life's work and his hopes for his family's future.

The Failure of Control:

Despite his efforts, Troy's attempts to control his legacy through the construction of the fence ultimately fail. The fence, while physically present, does little to mend the fractured relationships and unresolved conflicts within his family. It highlights the limitations of attempting to control one's legacy through material possessions and the importance of building strong relationships and meaningful connections.

Conclusion: A Multifaceted Symbol

The fence in Fences is not a singular symbol but a multifaceted one, carrying a multitude of meanings throughout the play's progression. Its significance shifts and evolves as the characters' lives unfold, reflecting the complexities of human relationships, the challenges of the American Dream, and the inevitability of mortality. By examining the fence's various symbolic layers, we gain a deeper understanding of the play's central themes and the tragic yet profound consequences of Troy's choices. The fence, therefore, transcends its physical reality and becomes a potent metaphor for the intricate and often conflicting forces that shape human experience. It acts as a powerful reminder of the limitations of material possessions in creating lasting happiness and the importance of nurturing meaningful relationships to build a truly secure and fulfilling life.