Fences A Reflection Of The Life Of August Wilson

Fences: A Reflection of The Life Of August Wilson The award winning play Fences is not just a work of fiction from the mind of August Wilson, but rather it is the reflections of a middle-aged man on his adolescent years. The majority of characters, places, and events are mirrored after real-life people, places, and history from Pittsburgh where Wilson grew up. Rather than creating a whole new world and characters for his third play, August Wilson infused his own personal childhood to form a story that could be related to by viewers and readers alike. Whether a Wilson consciously replicated elements of his history or not, the success of Fences, is due to the audience s ability to relate to the characters and the circumstances of their lives. August Wilson was born on April 27, 1945 in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Fences is set in the 1950 s, and while the location of the play is not expressly stated in the play, The Greene Space claims in its article â€Å"11 T hings You Should Know About August Wilson† that â€Å"All, but one of Wilson s plays - Ma Rainey s Black Bottom – are set in Pittsburgh s Hill District.† After searching through Fences for clues as to where Troy Maxson lives, I found four different street names mentioned in the play. A quick map search of Logan St. (1057), Brady St. (1085), Mercy Hospital (1060), and Passavant Hospital (1063), shows that they are all located within a few miles of each other in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, justShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Poem August Wilson 1709 Words   |  7 PagesAugust Wilson was one of the most accomplished African-American playwrights of this century and was one of only seven to win the Pulitzer Prize. He dedicated his entire career to documenting the 20th century struggles of African-Americans in a cycle of ten plays. He completed the cycle shortly before he died on October 2, 2005. His plays were themed around The Middle Passage, The Underground Railroad, The Emancipation Proclamation, Reconstruction and Jim Crow, The Northern Migration, Pittsburgh’sRead MoreFences, By August Wilson1104 Words   |  5 PagesAfrican-Americans during the middle of the twentieth century were treated differently than those of the white population. Fences, a play by August Wilson, demonstrates the frustration of white dominance during a time when African-Americans were secluded from society. The Maxson family are the main characters of the play, showing the life they lived in their black tenement in Pittsburg in the 1950s. The setting demonstrates the drama of their struggle, frustration, rebellion, and the predicamentsRead MoreSocial, Political, And Family Issues On August Wilson s Fences1596 Words   |  7 PagesSocial, Political, and Family Issues in August Wilson’s Fences August Wilson’s Fences depicts life in the 1950s for a typical African American family. The play touches upon racism, shifting family dynamics, and the politics of war. While racism plays an important and vital role in the play, instead of lamenting the issue, Wilson uses the characters as a weapon against the rampant racism of the time. In the same fashion, the relationship between Troy, Rose, and Cory demonstrates the shifting culturalRead MoreThe Tone Of August Wilson1377 Words   |  6 PagesThe tone that August Wilson uses is an approachable and lofty blend at the same time. To begin with the protagonist of fences, Troy is a mindful man whose dreams are obstructed, this makes him have confidence in self-made fantasies. 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August Wilson was one of the most accomplished African-American playwrights of this century and was one of only seven to win the Pulitzer Prize. He dedicated his entire career to documenting the 20th century struggles of African-Americans in a cycle of ten plays. He completed the cycle shortly before he died on October 2, 2005. His plays were themed around The Middle Passage, The Underground Railroad, The Emancipation Proclamation, Reconstruction andRead MoreFences Is A Family Drama Written By August Wilson1797 Words   |  8 PagesFences is a family drama written by August Wilson, which portrays the scenario of 50’s American society. The play explores the turmoil in the socio-economic situation faced by the African-American people in the period along with their experience of life, civil rights, personal relationships and racial situation. The play concentrates on describing different ‘fences’ of life, which were faced by the African-American society during 50â⠂¬â„¢s. 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