Fences Essay
Name: _______________________________________________________
Score: __________
August Wilson's Fences
1. Throughout Fences, August Wilson continually comments on two themes: the concept
of the American Dream and the feasibility of achieving it; and the actions and decisions
of Troy Maxson, the leading character. Can Troy be considered a tragic hero? (Tragic
hero definition: a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy that is destined for
downfall, suffering, or defeat: Oedipus, the classic tragic hero.) Do we, the audience,
ultimately benefit from his struggle? As students of American literature, we must
consider these ideas in depth.
Assignment
In a typed 600 word minimum essay complete with a cover page that includes your
essay title, your name, your class period and your essay word count, respond to one of
the two following topics:
1. Consider the themes of the play:
• The American Dream
• Women’s and/or men’s roles in the 1950s
• Loneliness
• Racial identity
• The individual vs. society
Consider what is being said about one of the above themes.
For example, if you discuss the concept of the American Dream as it appears in the
play, think about the idea of equal access to the dream.
 What do other characters think of the leading man's dream?
 Does Troy ever grow and develop a more "modern" or "mature" sense of his
American Dream?
 What messages do we, the audience, learn from their experiences in the pursuit
of his dream?
2. Consider the characters and their roles in the play:
• Troy Maxson is an excellent father.
• Rose Maxson is a woman all females from the 1950s to the present should
emulate.
• Cory Maxson is just as responsible for his failures in football as his father is.
• Gabe Maxson as the fool with all the knowledge no one will listen to
Focus on one specific character and argue for or against him/her fitting into the
expected role.
Fences Essay
For example, if you elect to analyze Troy, you may want to consider the definition of
Troy as a tragic hero.
 Can we consider Troy a tragic hero?
 How does he fit the definition?
 What do we ultimately learn from Troy and his decisions/actions?
 Is he a role model? What makes him so or what does he lack if he is not?
 What sets this man apart?