Act one of “Fences,” by August Wilson, is a very enjoyable introduction to the two act play. The play’s central character is Troy Maxson, an African American garbage collector, whose dreams of playing baseball were crushed because of his age (53 years old), and his race. The play is centered on Troy Maxson, his family, and his friend Jim Bono. The Maxson family is riddled with poverty. They live in an “ancient two-story brick house set back off a small alley in a big-city neighborhood.” Troy’s main concern is providing for his family; more so financially than emotionally. He criticizes his son, Cory, for his dreams of playing football in college, even though a team in North Carolina is already recruiting his talents. Troy even goes so far as to tell Cory’s high school coach that his son is not allowed to play football any longer, and tells the recruiter not to come to get Troy’s approval (he needs Troy’s signature for Cory to play ball) at the end of act 1. This causes conflict in the plot of the play. Troy’s oldest son by a previous marriage, Lyons, also makes an appearance on in the play. Lyons has dreams of being a great musician, and has little want to work, a view his father does not share. Jim Bono and Gabriel Maxson provide a since of comic relief in the plot. Jim Bono is Troy’s best friend. Troy and Jim did jail time together (Troy killed a man he was robing) where they formed a bond. The pair is seen in the poem drinking together on Friday nights. Gabriel Maxson, Troy’s brother was injured in World War II and has a metal plate in his head that has lead him to the delusion that he is the Angel Gabriel who is destined to open the gates for Saint Peter on judgment day.
I found the first part of this play very enjoyable. There was suspense created by the conflict between Cory and Troy. The mood of the play is however light, and somewhat comical in places. The play seems like it could actually happen; a quality that makes it relatable to the reader. BIG THUMBS UP!!
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