73 pages • 2 hours read
Fences
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
101
Play • Fiction
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • 1950s
1986
Adult
14+ years
NP
Super Short Summary
Fences by August Wilson, set in 1957, follows Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball player turned garbage collector, who grapples with his unrealized dreams and the limitations imposed by systemic racism. As Troy's frustrations affect his relationships with his wife Rose, son Cory, and brother Gabriel, the play highlights themes of generational trauma, personal responsibility, and the quest for dignity.
Challenging
Emotional
Melancholic
Gritty
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
29,904 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
August Wilson's Fences garners praise for its powerful portrayal of African American life in the 1950s, enriched by complex characters and authentic dialogue. Critics laud its exploration of generational conflict and racial tensions. However, some argue the pacing can drag, and certain themes feel repetitive. Overall, it's a compelling, thought-provoking drama.
Who Should Read Fences?
Readers who would enjoy Fences by August Wilson are likely drawn to profound character studies and family dynamics, much like in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. Fans of richly textured explorations of African American experiences, similar to Toni Morrison’s Beloved, will also appreciate this work.
29,904 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Jim Bono
Jim Bono
Troy's longtime best friend and coworker, he provides support and counsel while navigating his own moral compass in their friendship.
Rose
Rose
Troy's devoted wife known for her warmth, she is central to maintaining the family structure through challenges and changes.
Lyons
Lyons
Troy's oldest son from a previous relationship, he is a musician who seeks his father's approval while maintaining a degree of independence in his life choices.
Gabriel
Gabriel
Troy's younger brother who, after a war injury, has a childlike demeanor and believes he is the biblical angel Gabriel.
Cory
Cory
The son of Troy and Rose, Cory is an ambitious young athlete who seeks his own path amid his father's demanding expectations.
Raynell
Raynell
The young daughter of Troy and another woman, she represents new beginnings and carries a different set of expectations as part of the family.
101
Play • Fiction
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • 1950s
1986
Adult
14+ years
NP
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.