1. Plot: The plot is straightforward, focusing on Troy Maxson's life and his struggles with his past, present, and future. The central conflict revolves around Troy's internal conflicts (his bitterness, his infidelity, his fear of failure), his external conflicts with his family (Rose, Cory, Lyons), and the societal constraints he faces as an African American man in the 1950s. The rising action builds through Troy's choices and their consequences, leading to a climax involving Cory and his baseball aspirations. The falling action depicts the disintegration of Troy and Rose's marriage and the aftermath of Troy's death.
2. Characterization: Wilson masterfully crafts complex and believable characters. Troy Maxson, the protagonist, is a flawed but compelling figure, his strength and weakness intricately woven together. Rose is a strong, resilient woman, constantly tested by Troy's actions. Cory, Lyons, and Gabriel are each distinct and add to the play's thematic depth. The characters are developed through dialogue, action, and their interactions with each other.
3. Setting: The setting is crucial. The play takes place in the 1950s in the backyard of Troy's Pittsburgh home, a symbolic space representing both confinement and refuge, reflecting the characters' limited opportunities and their attempts to build a life within those limitations. The fence itself is a powerful symbol.
4. Theme: Multiple powerful themes permeate *Fences*: the legacy of racism and its impact on African American men; the struggle for self-definition and identity; the complexities of family relationships; the burden of the past and the difficulty of breaking free from it; the nature of dreams and aspirations; responsibility and fatherhood; the relationship between freedom and responsibility.
5. Symbolism: *Fences* is rich in symbolism. The fence itself symbolizes the barriers – both literal and figurative – that prevent Troy and his family from achieving their goals. Death, baseball, the blues, and the blues-infused language itself all act as symbols reflecting aspects of the characters' lives and experiences. Even the act of building the fence becomes a powerful symbol of Troy's desire for control and stability.
6. Dialogue: Wilson's use of authentic and expressive African American vernacular is central to the play. The dialogue is realistic, revealing character, advancing the plot, and contributing to the play's overall thematic resonance. The rhythmic quality of the language adds to the play's poetic power.
7. Point of View: The play is primarily told through a third-person omniscient point of view, allowing the audience access to the internal thoughts and feelings of multiple characters. However, the play is heavily filtered through Troy's perspective, making his worldview central to the narrative.
8. Tone: The tone of *Fences* is complex, shifting between moments of humor, pathos, anger, and reconciliation. The overall feeling is one of profound sadness and understanding, highlighting the human condition's inherent contradictions.
9. Imagery: While less focused on visual imagery than on the visceral impact of the language and actions, the play evokes strong imagery through its descriptions of the backyard setting, the fence itself, and the characters' movements and gestures.
By skillfully weaving together these literary elements, August Wilson creates a profoundly moving and enduring work of American drama.