SUMMARY OF FENCES BY AUGUST WILSON

Fences by August Wilson begins in 1957 with fifty-three-year-old Troy Maxson and his long-time friend, Jim Bono, drinking on Troy's porch a Friday (payday) night ritual. The friends, both trash (garbage) collectors, discuss their boss, Rand and a complaint Troy had filed about working conditions that deny black garbage workers the opportunity to drive garbage trucks. Bono asks about Alberta, a woman he has seen in Troy's company; Troy ignores his friend's inquiries.

Rose, Troy's wife for eighteen years, joins Troy and Jim on the porch. Troy explains to Jim about how he and Rose first met; Rose corrects his version of what happened. Troy and Rose disagree about shopping at the local black grocery store versus shopping at the A&P supermarket. 

 Their difference of opinion continues when they discuss their teenage son, Cory, and his plans to play college football. College football recruiters want to talk to them about their son, but Troy shows no interest. As a young man, Troy was a great baseball player, but he says segregation kept him out of the major leagues, an experience that has embittered him. Troy then recalls and re-enacts a near-death experience he had while he was sick with pneumonia, a story he tells often. Lyons, in his early thirties, is Troy's son by an earlier marriage. He stops by to say hello. Troy anticipates that he wants to borrow money. Lyons rejects Troy's offer to get him a job because it is his music that gives his life meaning. Troy directs his son to get ten dollars from Rose, because she is the one who gets her husband's pay-cheque every Friday.

In Act I, Scene 2, Troy wants Cory's help building the fence he has promised his wife he would build. Rose tells him his son is at football practice. Troy's brother, Gabriel, appears. Because of a war injury to his head, Gabriel believes he is actually the Archangel Gabriel from the Bible. He recently moved out of Troy's house. He is proud of the move, but he thinks it upsets Troy. Troy used the mone) given to Gabriel for his war injury to pay for the house they have shared until now.

In Act I, Scene 3, Cory comes home, and Troy rebukes him about falling behind on his chores. A they work on the fence together, Cory tells Troy he left his job to focus on football. Troy continues refuse to meet with the football recruiter despite Cory's pleas, and he insists his son get another job

When Cory asks Troy why he doesn't like him, Troy talks about responsibility. After Cory leaves, Rose asks Troy why he will not allow his son to play football. Troy clearly does not trust the recruiter or

understand that times have changed.

Act I, Scene 4 takes place on the next Friday night with Troy and Bono engaged in their weekend ritual. Troy tells Rose, Bono, and Lyons that Mr Rand has made him the first black driver. Troy and Bono talk about their fathers and how they left home. Later, when Cory comes home, he is furious that Troy has forbidden the coach to let him play football or be recruited by a college team. The act ends

after Cory insults Troy, who tells his son, "That's strike one." As Act II opens, Troy has posted bail for Gabriel after the disabled veteran was arrested for disturbing the peace. Bono reminds Troy that Rose is a good woman, and Troy admits to having an affair with Alberta. He says he loves Rose but cannot end the affair. Troy confesses to Rose that Alberta

is going to have his child. Troy tries to explain what the affair means to him, but Rose turns to walk away, accusing Troy of taking but never giving. Troy grabs her roughly, and Cory hits his father. Troy is ready to strike back, but Rose stops him. He calls strike two on Cory. Act II, Scene 2 occurs six months later. Alberta is about to have the baby. Troy has signed papers

to have Gabriel institutionalized. Troy is now entitled to half of Gabriel's money every month. As Rose accuses Troy of selling out his brother, a phɔne call informs them Alberta has died in childbirth. The scene ends with Troy challenging Death, who has taken Alberta, to come to him. In Act II, Scene 3, Troy brings home his infant daughter. Rose agrees to help Troy care for the baby but says she is finished with him.

Act II, Scene 4 takes place on another Friday night a few weeks later. Lyons returns money he had borrowed from Troy. Bono, who has not visited for some time, stops by. The two also see each other less often at work since Troy's promotion; their connection has been lost. Cory comes home and tries to force his way past his father, who is drunk and singing on the steps. The two get in a verbal fight that turns physical. Troy throws Cory out of the house. As he leaves, Cory says he has no intention of coming back. Alone, Troy taunts Death again. Act II, Scene 5 takes place seven years later. It is the morning of Troy's funeral. Cory, a corporal in the US Marine Corps, returns home for his father's funeral. Jim compliments Cory on his achievements and tells him, "Your daddy knew you had it in you." Lyons, who has been in prison for cashing other people's cheques, bad received permission to attend his father's funeral. Still bitter, however, Cory informs his mother that he does not plan to attend the funeral. Rose reminds him that Troy was his father. Cory and his half-sister, Raynell, strike up a conversation and begin to sing Troy's childhood song about Old Blue, prompting Cory to change his mind and attend his father's funeral. Gabe, who is still institutionalized, also had received permission to attend his brother's funeral. Gabe sees this as a momentous time: he takes out his trumpet and prepares to signal Saint Peter to open the gates of heaven for Troy. When no sound comes out, he does a ritualistic dance and chant. In the play's final moment, we're told the gates of heaven are wide open.

This family shows many of the problems that African-Americans faced during this time dealing with racism, lack of money, insufficient job opportunities, and the stress of holding it all together. It ends somewhat sadly with most of the characters in worse situations than where they began, almost all due to Troy's influence on their lives. The only one with true potential for success is Raynell since Troy is gone, and she can make her own decisions without his influence.