August Wilson's 'Fences' delves into the African American experience in the 1950s through the story of the Maxson family in Pittsburgh. The play, part of Wilson's Century Cycle, confronts racial segregation, generational tensions, and personal aspirations. It highlights the struggles of Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball player, and his family's dynamics, underscored by themes of race, family, and duty.
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August Wilson is a renowned playwright known for his exploration of the African American experience in the 20th century
The Hill District, a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, serves as the setting for most of Wilson's plays, including "Fences."
"Fences" takes place in the 1950s, a decade marked by racial segregation and limited opportunities for Black people
Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball player, is the complex and embittered patriarch of the Maxson family
Rose Maxson is Troy's compassionate and resilient wife, who often acts as a mediator within the family
Cory Maxson, Troy's son, represents the hope of a new generation, eager to break away from his father's shadow
"Fences" explores the enduring effects of racism on personal aspirations and the transmission of racial trauma across generations
The play delves into the sacrifices made by family members, particularly Rose, and the theme of unrecognized familial duty and personal sacrifice
The struggle with intergenerational trauma and the quest for individual identity in the shadow of a father's legacy are central themes in "Fences."
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The play 'Fences' by ______ explores the lives of African Americans in the ______, highlighting issues of racial segregation.
August Wilson
1950s
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'Fences' was first performed in ______ and won the ______ for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play the following year.
1986
Pulitzer Prize
02
Troy Maxson's former career
Ex-Negro League baseball player, career ended by racial barriers.
