What does death represent in fences?

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In Troy's past, death had threatened to take away Troy's happiness. In this play, Death represents the obstacles keeping Troy from happiness. Death had a role in Troy's past when he was going through hard times. Troy threatened Death when his relationship with Rose was struggling.



Herein, what does the devil death symbolize in the play Fences?

Troy's association of the Devil as a harbinger of death comes to represent his struggle to survive the trials his life. The devil in his imagination symbolizes the hostility and the cowardice of the racism. In his later life he loses all the love from his family members, friends and brother.

Similarly, why does Troy personify death? Death appears as a personified figure in Troy's fanciful tales about wrestling with death and buying furniture from the devil. Troy's typically stubborn sense of manhood and strength largely derives from his relationship with death.

Moreover, what is the symbolic meaning of fences?

August Wilson uses the symbol of a 'fence' in his play, Fences, in numerous occasions. Three of the most important occasions fences are symbolized are by protection, Rose Maxson and Troy Maxson's relationship, and Troy against Mr. Death. To Rose, a fence is a symbol of her love.

Who died in fences?

Eight years later, Raynell plays in her newly planted garden. Troy has died from a heart attack. Cory returns home from the Marines to attend Troy's funeral.

38 Related Question Answers Found

What does the fence mean to Cory?

To Rose, a fence is a symbol of her love and her desire for a fence indicates that Rose represents love and nurturing. Troy and Cory on the other hand think the fence is a drag and reluctantly work on finishing Rose's project. Bono also observes that to some people, fences keep people out and push people away.

What is the main theme in fences?

One theme in Fences is love—more specifically, the balancing act of love versus obligation. Troy is a character who has difficulty placing his love in his family. Perhaps this difficulty stems from the fact that he loves himself too much, but more likely, it stems from the fact that he hates himself too much.

What is Troy's attitude towards death?

Baseball is what Troy is most proud of and knows he conquered on his own. In this first scene of the play, Troy is afraid of nothing, values his life, and feels in control. Troy's attitude toward death is proud and nonchalant.

What does raynell represent in fences?

The child of Troy and Alberta, Raynell is ultimately raised by Rose after both Troy and Alberta die. In this way, Raynell challenges the “fences” that Rose envisions as surrounding, protecting, and holding together her real family.

What literary devices are used in fences?


Terms in this set (7)
  • Personification. "Death standing there staring at me
  • Setting. Pittsburgh, PA, 1957.
  • Dialect. "Ain't said nothing
  • Metaphor. "That's strike two."
  • Simile. "Got them hips as wide as the Mississippi."
  • Symbol.
  • Characterization.

Why does Troy die in fences?

Troy has died from a heart attack when he was swinging a bat at the baseball that hangs from a tree in their yard. Cory returns home from the Marines in his uniform.

What is the purpose of the play Fences?

The theme of fences is important because they symbolize different things such as, keeping people out and keeping people in. August Wilson's motivation in writing Fences was to make a point and show that blacks struggled and competed greatly with whites during that time period.

What is the significance of fences title?

The title of the play, Fences, symbolizes its central themes and the relationships of the characters to one another. Its literal presence in the play is Troy and Cory's long-standing construction of a fence for their home.

What does Gabriel represent in fences?

Main role of the Archangel Gabriel,in the play "Fences"is to awake St. Peter when it is time for judgement, specifically Troy's judgment. Very knowledgeable about the lives of others.

Why does Gabriel think Troy is mad at him?


Troy's argument of “well I take care of Gabriel and he can't take care of himself or his money so I will” is dehumanizing. That's why Gabriel thought that Troy was mad at him because he took his pension money elsewhere. The dynamic of Gabriel existing in the Maxon household is half burden/half walking on eggshells.

What does a fence do?

A fence, also known as a receiver, mover, or moving man, is an individual who knowingly buys stolen goods in order to later resell them for profit. The fence acts as a middleman between thieves and the eventual buyers of stolen goods who may not be aware that the goods are stolen.

Who builds the fence in fences?

It takes Bono to make Troy see that a fence can have the opposite effect. It's possible that Rose asked Troy and Cory to build the fence as attempt to help the two to bond.

How likeable of a character is Troy?

Troy Maxson. The protagonist of Fences, Troy is a responsible man whose thwarted dreams make him prone to believing in self-created illusions. Troy begins the play by entertaining Bono and Rose with an epic story about his struggle with a personified Death, or Devil, character. Fences is largely Troy's story.

What does it mean when you dream of a fence?

To dream of a fence represents emotional or relationship boundaries. Feelings about some kind of barrier being in your way. Feeling “fenced” in or restricted in what you can do. Negatively, a fence may reflect a fear of angering someone or heightened sensitivity about upsetting someone.

Why did Troy cheat on Rose fences?


As he feels himself the victim of forces beyond his control, he doesn't see the point of taking responsibility for his actions, hence his cheating on Rose. This is a man who goes through life with a chip on his shoulder, feeling that the world owes him something for all the trials and tribulations he's been through.

Why does Troy build the fence?

After expelling Cory out from his house, Troy shows that he is the chief of the house by pointing out the fence as the boundary of his territory. In his attempt to escape Death, Troy uses the fence as a symbolic shield intended to protect him.

Is Cory Troy's son in fences?

Cory Maxson - The teenage son of Troy and Rose Maxson. A senior in high school, Cory gets good grades and college recruiters are coming to see him play football.