How Does the Author Use Fences as a Symbol to Describe Racial Relationships?
August Wilson's Fences is one of the most influential plays in American literature, exploring race, family, identity, and the pursuit of the American Dream. While the play centers around the life of Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball player, the title itself carries profound symbolic meaning. The fence in the play is more than just a wooden structure—it becomes a powerful metaphor for racial divisions, emotional boundaries, protection, and exclusion in American society.
In this article, we examine how Wilson uses the symbol of fences to describe racial relationships and how the metaphor extends beyond physical barriers to reveal the realities of segregation, discrimination, and the emotional impact of racism.
Understanding the Symbolism of the Fence
Before analyzing racial relationships, it is important to understand what the fence represents.
Throughout the play, Rose repeatedly asks Troy to finish building the fence around their yard. While Troy delays completing it, the unfinished fence quietly reflects the unfinished relationships within the family and society.
The fence symbolizes several ideas:
Protection
Separation
Emotional distance
Social exclusion
Racial barriers
Family unity
Wilson intentionally leaves the symbol open to multiple interpretations, allowing different characters to attach their own meanings to it.
The Fence as a Symbol of Racial Segregation
One of the strongest themes in Fences is racial discrimination.
Although the play takes place during the 1950s, a period when legal segregation was beginning to face challenges, African Americans continued to experience systematic racism.
The fence symbolizes the invisible barriers separating Black Americans from opportunities available to white Americans.
Troy frequently speaks about discrimination throughout the play.
For example, he questions why only white men are allowed to drive garbage trucks while Black men are expected to collect trash.
His complaint reflects larger institutional inequalities.
The fence therefore represents:
Employment discrimination
Economic inequality
Social segregation
Limited opportunities
Wilson shows that these barriers are not always visible but remain powerful enough to shape people's entire lives.
Troy Maxson's Experiences with Racism
Troy's personal history demonstrates how racial barriers affect an individual's dreams.
As an outstanding baseball player, Troy believes he possessed the talent necessary to succeed in Major League Baseball.
However, because he played before Jackie Robinson integrated Major League Baseball, Troy never received the opportunity.
His bitterness stems from years of racial injustice.
He says:
"I done seen a hundred n***** play baseball better than Jackie Robinson."
Whether or not this statement is objectively true is less important than what it reveals.
It demonstrates Troy's belief that racism—not talent—determined success.
The fence symbolizes the invisible wall that prevented gifted Black athletes from advancing.
Emotional Fences Created by Racism
Wilson suggests that racism creates emotional barriers as well as physical ones.
Troy becomes emotionally distant because years of discrimination have made him distrustful of society.
Instead of encouraging his son Cory to pursue football, Troy discourages him.
He believes racism will prevent Cory from succeeding just as it prevented him.
Ironically, the world is changing.
College football is becoming more accessible to Black athletes.
However, Troy cannot see beyond the emotional fence created by his own painful experiences.
His fear becomes another barrier.
Instead of protecting Cory, it limits him.
Rose's Fence Represents Love and Protection
Unlike Troy, Rose views the fence differently.
For Rose, fences keep loved ones close.
She wants the fence completed because it symbolizes family, stability, and belonging.
While Troy sees fences as restrictions, Rose sees them as protection.
This contrast highlights different responses to racial hardship.
Rose chooses hope.
Troy chooses skepticism.
Wilson does not suggest one perspective is entirely correct.
Instead, he shows how people cope differently with discrimination.
The Fence Separates Communities
Another interpretation involves community relationships.
Historically, racial segregation physically divided neighborhoods across America.
Black families often lived in communities separated by discriminatory housing policies.
Although Wilson never directly focuses on segregation laws, the fence reminds audiences of these historical divisions.
The yard becomes a small representation of a much larger society divided by race.
People remain physically close but socially separated.
Internalized Racism and Psychological Barriers
Wilson also explores how racism affects the human mind.
Years of discrimination convince Troy that certain dreams are impossible.
Eventually, external barriers become internal ones.
This phenomenon is known as internalized oppression.
Rather than challenging every obstacle, Troy accepts many racial limitations as permanent facts.
His advice to Cory reflects this mindset.
Instead of encouraging ambition, he encourages survival.
The psychological fence becomes even stronger than the physical one.
Wilson suggests that racism damages not only opportunities but also confidence and imagination.
Cory Represents a New Generation
Cory symbolizes hope and social progress.
Unlike Troy, Cory grows up during the early Civil Rights Movement.
New opportunities begin emerging for African Americans.
College recruiters recognize his football talent.
However, Troy refuses to believe circumstances have changed.
Their conflict represents two generations experiencing race differently.
For Troy:
Racism is permanent.
For Cory:
Racism exists but can be challenged.
The fence between father and son therefore symbolizes the changing nature of racial relationships across generations.
Gabriel and Freedom Beyond Barriers
Gabriel, Troy's brother, introduces another symbolic dimension.
Mentally impaired after serving in World War II, Gabriel frequently speaks about heaven, angels, and spiritual freedom.
Unlike Troy, Gabriel lives beyond society's racial expectations.
His final scene, where he attempts to open the gates of heaven, symbolizes hope beyond earthly barriers.
Wilson suggests that spiritual freedom cannot be confined by racial fences.
The Fence as a Metaphor for the American Dream
Throughout American history, the American Dream promised equality and opportunity.
However, Wilson questions whether African Americans received equal access to that dream.
For Troy, the American Dream remains outside the fence.
No matter how hard he works, systemic racism limits his advancement.
His story illustrates how discrimination prevented many Black Americans from achieving economic and social mobility.
The fence therefore becomes a metaphor for unequal access to opportunity.
Racial Relationships Beyond Conflict
Wilson avoids portraying racial relationships as simply Black versus white.
Instead, he explores how racism influences relationships within the Black community itself.
Troy's bitterness affects:
His marriage
His friendships
His relationship with Cory
His relationship with Lyons
His own self-image
This demonstrates that systemic racism often produces consequences extending far beyond interactions between racial groups.
It reshapes families.
It changes parenting.
It influences identity.
It affects future generations.
Why the Fence Remains Unfinished
Throughout much of the play, Troy postpones building the fence.
This unfinished project symbolizes unresolved racial tensions in America.
Although progress occurs, true equality remains incomplete.
Only near the end is the fence finally completed.
Even then, the emotional and social divisions continue.
Wilson suggests that physical barriers may disappear, but healing emotional wounds requires much more time.
Literary Significance of the Fence
Wilson's use of symbolism allows readers to interpret the fence in multiple ways simultaneously.
The fence represents:
Protection for loved ones.
Separation between races.
Emotional isolation.
Social inequality.
Institutional discrimination.
Family conflict.
Fear of change.
Hope for future generations.
Its richness as a literary symbol explains why Fences remains one of the most studied American plays.
Conclusion
In Fences, August Wilson transforms an ordinary backyard fence into a complex symbol of America's racial history. The fence represents the visible and invisible barriers that have separated Black Americans from opportunities, equality, and acceptance. Through Troy Maxson's experiences, Wilson illustrates how racism creates emotional wounds that extend across generations, influencing relationships, ambitions, and identity.
At the same time, the play offers hope through characters like Rose, Cory, and Gabriel, who represent love, progress, and spiritual freedom. Rather than presenting the fence as merely a divider, Wilson uses it to ask an enduring question: Should fences keep people out, keep people in, or bring people together? The answer depends on the perspective of each character—and ultimately, each reader.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does the fence symbolize in Fences?
The fence symbolizes protection, separation, racial barriers, emotional distance, family relationships, and the social inequalities experienced by African Americans.
How does Troy represent racial discrimination?
Troy's failed baseball career reflects how segregation and racism denied talented Black athletes opportunities before racial integration in professional sports.
Why does Rose want the fence built?
Rose believes the fence represents love, security, and keeping her family together, contrasting with Troy's more negative view of boundaries.
How does Fences relate to racial relationships?
The play shows that racism creates both physical and emotional barriers, affecting not only relationships between races but also relationships within families and communities.
Further Reading
Fences – Read the full play to explore its themes and symbolism in depth.
August Wilson – Learn more about the playwright and his Pittsburgh Cycle.
Jackie Robinson – Understand the historical context of baseball integration and Troy's frustrations.