The play, Fences, was written by August Wilson on Broadway in 1983. It takes place in Pittsburgh, PA in the 1950s. Fences is concerned on family responsibility and betrayal focusing on the protagonist, Troy, and his family. In Fences, Wilson uses the techniques of characterization, dialect, and symbol to achieve his purpose of emphasizing family struggle in an African American family in the 1950s. As the play continues, these three techniques demonstrate their manipulations on revealing the purpose effectively.
First, in Fences, Wilson uses the technique of characterization to emphasize family struggle. One example of characterization is when Wilson writes, “Just because you didn’t have that chance, you just scared I’m gonna be better than you, that’s all” (Wilson 1677). By using this technique, Wilson is able to portray Cory as a victim of his father. Cory was oppressed by his aggressive father by forbidding Cory to play football, he revealed his hatred towards his father by expressing this statement. Another example of characterization is when Wilson writes, “I can’t let that [Alberta] go” (Wilson 1683). By using this technique, Wilson is able to portray Troy as a cheating and selfish husband. When Troy was forced to make a choice between Rose and Alberta, he suggested that he cannot renounce Alberta. Therefore, the characterizations of Cory and Troy are examples of emphasizing the family struggle.
In addition, Wilson uses dialect to assist him achieving the purpose of accentuating family struggle. Wilson uses dialect when he writes, “…you ain’t getting no ten dollars here” (Wilson 1653). This allows Wilson to maintain his purpose of accentuating family struggle by depicting Troy’s aggressive accent. Troy rejected his son’s request of borrowing money uncompromisingly; his aggressive accent plays an important role in refusing his son. Another example from Fences is when Wilson writes, “I ain’t asked you who had one [TV]. I say what I want with one (Wilson 1661). When Cory asks Troy why he does not buy a television, Troy, instead of answering gently to Cory, proposed a rhetorical question purposely to deny Cory’s question. Troy conveys his unquestionably arrogant attitude to his son. Ergo, Troy’s accents support Wilson to achieve his purpose of accentuating family struggle.
Lastly, “okay, Troy… you’re right. I’ll take care of your baby [Raynell] for you…’cause…like you say…she’s innocent” (Wilson 1689) illustrates the author’s use of symbolism in Fences. The baby, Raynell, symbolizes a product of Troy’s betrayal. Rose believes Raynell is innocent, ergo, she decides to take care of Raynell. Another example is “…I got to practice, I can’t work after school and play football too. The [football] team needs me” (Wilson 1664). The football symbolize a change rather than just a ball to Cory. Cory is eager to change his current status. He does not want to follow Troy’s step. Thus, he often argue with Troy even though he is afraid of Troy. Symbolism support Wilson’s goal of achieving the purpose of highlighting family struggle.
In conclusion, Wilson’s use of characterization, dialect, and symbolism allows him to achieve his purpose of emphasizing family struggle. Wilson illustrates the audiences a vivid play mainly focusing on family struggle by writing about the conflicts in Troy’s family. The three techniques play important roles in helping Wilson to achieve the purpose of emphasizing family struggle.