John+Wong+-+Intro+for+Minor+Character

Fences, by August Wilson, is a play set during the 1950’s era in which the start of the fight for African-American rights led to the abolishment of segregation. The story focuses on the livelihoods of a black family struggling against the burdens of everyday life, labor, and love. The main character, Troy, is a man of determination and responsibility. He is a man who believes in the equal exchange of hard labor for money in order to make your way through life. His delusional brother Gabriel is the exact opposite of Troy’s moral standards, epitomizing his frustration and guilt of the real reason he is able to survive in this world.

Topics: - Irony due to Troy's stable livelihood being established my Gabriel's money instead of hard work according to his morals - Gabriel's innocence and obliviousness to Troy's guilt when he moved away, misinterpreting it for anger towards him - Significance of the final scene in which Gabriel is released from his delusional state of mind, at the cost of Troy's death

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