The fence in August Wilson's "Fences" is a powerful and multi-layered symbol, representing a complex interplay of protection, confinement, exclusion, and the dynamics of family relationships. Its meaning shifts and evolves throughout the play, reflecting the characters' struggles and aspirations.
The Maxson Home's Unfinished Fence
The fence surrounding the Maxson home is the most prominent symbol in the play, constantly under construction and embodying various interpretations:
A Shield Against the Outside World
For Troy Maxson, the fence initially represents a boundary designed to keep out what he perceives as threats and undesirable elements. It symbolizes his desire to protect his family from the perceived dangers of the world, much like he feels he protected himself from the prejudices that limited his opportunities in baseball.
- Protection: The fence is meant to create a secure space, a haven from the societal injustices and personal disappointments that Troy has faced.
- Exclusion: It also signifies a barrier to outsiders, reflecting Troy's isolationist tendencies and his difficulty in letting others fully into his emotional world.
The Bonds of Family and Division
While seemingly intended to keep the family together, the fence paradoxically highlights the growing divisions and emotional barriers within the Maxson household. Rose wants the fence to "hold in" her loved ones, symbolizing unity and togetherness, yet Troy's actions often create cracks in this ideal.
- Unity: For Rose, the fence is a metaphor for holding her family close, nurturing their bonds, and creating a safe, loving home environment.
- Separation: For Troy, however, his internal fences—his resentment, his past traumas, and his inability to express affection—often push his family members away, despite his physical efforts to build a perimeter. The fence literally separates him from his son, Cory, when he banishes him from the yard.
The Act of Building: A Metaphor for Life
The ongoing, often delayed construction of the fence itself is highly symbolic. It reflects the unfinished business of Troy's life, his constant struggle to build something meaningful, and his resistance to fully committing to his responsibilities or addressing his emotional wounds.
- Effort and Resistance: The slow progress on the fence mirrors Troy's reluctance to fully engage with his family's emotional needs or to confront his own shortcomings.
- Legacy: Ultimately, as the fence is completed, it can be seen as a symbol of Rose's resilience and her ability to create a stable home, even after Troy's passing, holding together the pieces of her fractured family.
The Irony of Prison Fences
The symbolism of the fence extends beyond the Maxson home to the literal prison fences Troy has encountered in his past. This contrast highlights the overarching theme of confinement and lost opportunities:
- Confinement: Prison fences represent physical and metaphorical incarceration, trapping individuals and limiting their freedom.
- Missed Opportunities: For Troy, these fences symbolize the years of his life lost to imprisonment, which he blames for denying him the chance to play professional baseball at a time when racial barriers were rampant. They represent a past that continues to haunt him and shape his pessimistic outlook on life and opportunity.
Diverse Interpretations of the Fence's Symbolism
The varied interpretations of the fence underscore its central role in the play's exploration of life, death, race, family, and personal responsibility. The table below summarizes these key symbolic meanings:
| Fence Context | Primary Symbolism | Nuance and Contextual Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Maxson Home | Protection, Security, Keeping In | Can also symbolize exclusion, emotional barriers, duty |
| Unfinished Home | Troy's unresolved issues, procrastination | Life's ongoing struggles, resistance to emotional labor |
| Prison (Literal) | Confinement, Lost Freedom, Missed Chances | Past regrets, societal barriers, cyclical disadvantages |
| Metaphorical | Barriers between people, Dreams, Opportunity | Self-imposed limitations, racial segregation, death's boundary |
Ultimately, the fence in "Fences" is not merely a static object but a dynamic symbol that reflects the protagonist's internal and external battles, and the complex, often contradictory, nature of human relationships.
