AN INTRODUCTIONThe life and times of Fences

and its author, August Wilson

by August Wilson

August Wilson’s Upbringing• Lived from 1945-2005• Raised in impoverished

Hill District in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Lived in a two-room apartment without hot water or a telephone

• Raised by his African American mother after his German father abandoned the family

Street image of Hill District

August Wilson’s Adolescent Life• Moved to a mostly white

suburb of Pittsburgh after his mother remarried

• Stopped attending school at 15 when he was falsely accused of plagiarizing a paper

• Spent his time at the local library , learning to love books and jazz music

• Considered his education “informal”

August Wilson’s Adult Life• Kicked out of the house

by his mother for “lacking direction”

• Enlisted in the army for one year

• Wrote poetry and then turned his poetic eye towards plays

• Won many awards for his plays, including two Pulitzer prizes

1950s America and The Influence of Television

I Love Lucy The Honeymooners

Baseball in FencesAll eyes were on

the 1957 World SeriesLew Burdette throws a pitch for

the Milwaukee Braves

Characters in August Wilson’s Fences

Troy Maxson• Maxson is a combination of

Mason-Dixon line• Troy’s first name suggests

the legendary city of Troy• He served time in prison for

homicide• Troy became an excellent

baseball player but could never become a “pro”

• He tends to exaggerate his accomplishments.

• He grew up with an abusive father

Rose Maxson• Rose is committed to

family and the church• She attempts to

intervene between Troy and their son Cory

• She also attempts to have her husband see his life more realistically since Troy exaggerates his accomplishments

Other Significant Characters• Jim Bono— Troy’s best friend, they met in jail, looks

up to Troy• Lyons— Troy’s first son before he was married to

Rose, talented musician• Gabriel— Troy’s brother, war veteran with a

permanent head injury• Cory— teenage son of Troy and Rose, plays football• Raynell— Troy’s illegitimate daughter from Alberta