Rose

=All About Rose: = ===//Add a favorite line of dialogue or a particular description and explain why you find it striking (arranged in chronological order). Please cite page numbers for easy reference. Be sure to include your name:// ===

Rose: "I told him if he wasn't the marrying kind, then move out the way so the marrying kind could find me." (1.1.6) I thought that this quote in some way shows the impact that Rose was able to have on Troy. In my mind Rose was in many ways the one whotamed Troy's wild and aggresive ways. When she insisted that she be Troy's wife and not just his girlfriend, she made him see the value of family, as shown from his own way of caring for his family (feeding them, responsibilty,not following the wrong track). This sadly makes Troy's betrayal later on in the play more painful as Rose's dedication to him seems to have all gone to waste. - Michael Ren

"He ain't talking about making no living playing football. It's just something the boys in school do. They gonna send a recruiter by to talk to you. He'll tell you he ain't talking about making no living playing football. It's a honor to be recruited." (1.1.8)

I think that this quote is pretty significant as it shows her unconditional love and dedication to her family. Rose acts as a loving wife to Troy as well as a caring mother to Cory and she does an excellent job of that as shown through this quote. She tells Troy that his points are mostly irrational, and tries to bring him back to reality. She understands that Troy does not want their son to follow his footsteps, so she deliberately emphasizes on the point that Cory is not going to make a living off sports and he's only playing it because its what school boys do. She also tries to help Cory speak in a few words about his achievement as she wants Troy to be proud of their son. Rose adds in that it's a honor to be recruited, which shows the supporting character she is in the play. -Valerie

“Seem like something ought to be done to help him” (1.1.27) At the beginning of the play when Gabriel is first introduced, Rose notices that Gabriel’s move to Mrs. Pearl’s has diminished his eat habits. Rose being her concerned self suggests for something to be done about this, however Troy backs her down. What Rose says is repeated and reflects her role in //Fences.// Throughout the play, Rose presents herself as a responsible strong woman who helps resolve problems. Even during this situation, she finds the best solution, for Gabriel to stay at the hospital; however it is only Troy that over rules her. ~Maryanne Cheah

Rose: Everything that boy do... he do for you. He wants you to say "Good job,son" Thats all. (1.1.39) It is manifest that Troy is extremely mean and rude, as a father, towards Cory. He not only discouraged him to pursue his life time dream, but also shout to him how 'he doesn't like him'. On the other hand, Rose gets everything that Cory is doing and what Troy is doing. However, Rose dislikes the way Troy is acting towards Cory because, Rose knows that all Cory wants to do is what a normal son will want. A hug, a compliment, some man time and some fun in the family. She understands how hard Cory tries to gain recognition from Troy and understands how Cory is giving up his life time dream all just for Troy. She really supports Cory in his football carrier and she really wants to curse Troy for telling him to refute. I really like this quote because it shows how much insight Rose has towards the family even though she is a role of a wife, which is minor in this play. - Robert Lee

"Times have changed from when you was young, Troy. People change. The world's changing around you and you can't even see it." (Act 1, Scene 3, Pg 40) This is my favorite quote from Rose, It is from when Troy and Rose are discussing about their sons opportunities in sports, but Troy won't allow his son to play football. I really liked this quote from her because it showed her realistic approach to the world and also her ability to be honest to everyone in her family. She is not saying this to hurt Troy's honor but rather help Troy realize the changing world. I also liked this quote because it not only applies to within this play, but also applies to real life and how everything is always changing. - OLIVER

"Some people build fences to keep people out...and other people build fences to keep people in...she loves you." (2.1.61) I found this quote significant because the title ‘Fences’ was very significant and it meant different things to different characters in the play, for example the fence meant something different for Rose than it did for Troy, and the only one to comprehend the differences was Bono. Troy is building the Fence to keep people out, but Rose wants the fence built because she desires to keep her family together all beneath one roof, she does not want anyone to leave her. Rose grew up in a family that wanted to block themselves away from everything as well as each other, and Rose does not want to see her family live similar to her family did whilst she was a child. - Janita

Troy: "But it seems like this woman just stuck onto me where I can't shake her loose. I down wrestled with it, tried to throw her off me… but she just stuck on tighter. Now she's stuck on for good." (2.1. 63) This quotation defines the characteristic of Rose. The motif of "fences" is constantly seen through out the play, pertaining to the concept of keeping the family close together. Despite Troy's ruthless and harsh personalities, and way of talking disrespecting her, she still manages to continue to stay with him. Rose is proven to be a great wife, maintaining the family harmony sticking with her husband despite his despicable traits (Although, this was before she found out about her husband's affair). She is the character who tries to solve the issues rather than starting them, loving her family and looking after it. - Chris Hwa

"Well, everybody got their own way of looking at it I guess." (2. 1. 65) In comparison to Troy, who is oblivious to the fact that the world is no longer as cruel and unfair a place as when he was young, Rose beholds the changes of times with a certain clarity and serene adaptation. Her flexibility to view situations from multiple perspectives is a trait that her husband unfortunately lacks. This is shown when she attempts to explain to Troy her interpretation of Cory’s ambitious dreams and need for a caring father figure. Her motherly insight can be seen as a sort of mitigation to Troy’s stubborn conviction and tough exterior. –John Wong

“I don’t tried to be everything a wife should be. Everything a wife could be” (2.1.67) This quote was really powerful to me as my heart sank when I read this; because throughout the entire book, Rose has been this caring mother that is viewed as caring, nice, and the perfect mother and wife to Troy and her kids. However, when Troy told her that he was cheating on her, I really felt sorry for her and that even with all her efforts to keep the family together, she failed. Thus, her failed efforts really struck me and raised my empathy for her. -Henry Fong

"All of a sudden it's "we." Where was "we" when you was down there rolling around with some godforsaken woman? "We should have come to an understanding before you started making a damn fool of yourself." (2.1.68) This line that Rose spoke caught my attention, because Rose is very emotional and angry at Troy for having an affair. Rose is usually calm and gentle, but when she finds out that Troy has been cheating on her, she becomes very upset, and her tone of voice reveals her anger towards Troy. While I was reading this part, I felt very sorry for Rose, since she was always so committed to their marriage but gets heartbroken because of Troy. -Wendy Yu

"I been standing with you! I been right here with you, Troy. I got a life too. I gave eighteen years of my life to stand in the same spot with you. Don't you think I ever wanted other things? Don't you think I had dreams and hopes? What about my life? What about me. Don't you think it ever crossed my mind to want to know other men? That I wanted to lay up somewhere and forget about my responsibilites? That I wanted someone to make me laugh so I could feel good? You not the only one who's got wants and needs. But I held on to you. Troy. I took all my feelings, my wants and needs, my dreams... and I buried them inside you. I planted a seed and watched and prayed over it. I planted my self inside you and waited to bloom. And it didn't take me no eighteen years to find out the soil was hard and rocky and it wasn't never gonna bloom. (2.1.70-71)" Rose reveals her disappontment and hurt through this quote after hearing that Troy had an affair and is going to be a father for another child. In this quote, Rose enumerates all the times and the things that she has been tolerating and bearing for the last eighteen years which she spent with Troy. It is shown that Rose, as a wife, had tried her best for the eighteen years tolerating her wants and needs as a woman. What I found extremely intriguing about this quote is the metaphor that she uses when describing the times that Rose and Troy have spent together. She describes it as planting a seed first, and then waiting for it to grow and bloom, but the soil turned out to be hard and rocky. The metaphor that she "planted [herself] inside [Troy]" really shows her devotion towards him and their family, and "[finding] out [that] the soil [is] hard and rocky" illustrates her disappointment towards Troy, who turend out to be a husband who had an affair with some other woman. - He Ra

"I'll take care of your baby for you...cause...like you say...she's innocent...and you can't visit the sins of the father upon the child. A motherless child has got a hard time. From right now...this child got a mother. But you a womanless man. //(Lights go down to black).// (2.3.79) ﻿This was my favorite quote from Rose, as in a few sentences, she reveals both the soft side and fierceness of her character in a few lines. She has a just way of treating others, willing to love another woman's child as she would her own because of its innocence, yet she manages to dispense her own punishment on Troy in not an unfair manner for his crime. The dramatic ending of the scene after Rose delivers her final declaration where Rose turns her back and walks away, leaving Troy in the darkness, has a powerful effect on the finality of her words, and I liked this simple quote for the power and emphasis it held.--Riowena

"Ain't no use in you studying me. It don't matter what time I come back... Troy, I don't want to go into it. your dinner's in there on the stove. All you got to do is heat it up. And don't you be eating the rest of them cakes in there. I'm coming back for them. We having a bakesale at the church tomorrow." (2.4.82) Since Rose discovered that Troy was cheating on her and reluctantly agreed to take care of his baby, she has gained much control and influence within the household and amongst the characters. Now in a position where she can openly defy her husband's will, she denies Troy's right to obtain an answer to the inquiry to where she is planning to go. She dismissively tells him where his dinner is, portraying that her love for Troy has vanished and has been replaced by solely a sense of responsibility to take care of her "husband". Rose even goes so far as to order his husband to stay away from the cakes, further expounding her new-found reign over the household. In past acts and scenes, Rose has been portrayed as a housewife whose life revolves around the husband, waiting at home for his return. In this particular instance, August Wilson utilizes her bakesale at the church to emphasize that she lives an independant life that no longer appears to be centered around her husband's. Jerry

Rose: “Whatever was between you and your daddy… the time has come to put it aside. … Disrespecting your daddy ain’t gonna make you a man, Cory.” (2.5.96.)

Rose lost mostly all respect for Troy when he had an affair. However, this quote portrays the greatness of Rose’s ability to forgive. At the funeral of Troy, Rose seemed to have found whatever respect of Troy she had left. She lectures Cory saying that it is wrong to disrespect his father, despite all the disrespect Troy has shown Rose throughout all the years. The forgiving, kind and selfless personality of Rose is once again reinforced.

"You can't be nobody but who you are, Cory. That shadow wasn't nothing but you growing into yourself. But that's all you got to make life with. That's all you got to measure yourself against that world out there. Your daddy wanted you to be everything he wasn't... and at the same time he tried to make you into everything he was. I don't know if he was right or wrong... but I do know he meant to do more good than he meant to do harm. He wasn't always right. Sometimes when he touched he bruised. And sometimes when he took me in his arms he cut." (2.5.97) In this quote Rose is telling Cory that the shadow that followed him throughout his childhood was really just making him into who he is today. Because all Troy wanted for Cory was a good life, he didn't want him to feel rejected the way he got rejected from Baseball and he was proud of his son playing football. But just didn't want him to feel that pain, that he carried on throughout his life. Rose wanted Cory to forgive his father for what he had done, as she was also forgiving Troy for the cuts and bruises that he had given her, because there was a time he had made her happy. This was my favourite quote said by Rose because now that Troy had passed, Rose is forgiving him for what he had done to her as she tells Cory he should do the same, because he wasn't really a bad man. -Shavonne

ROSE: I wanted a house that I could sing in. And that's what your daddy gave me. I didn't know to keep up his strength I had to give up little pieces of mine. I did that. I took on his life as mine and mixed up the pieces so that you couldn't hardly tell which was which anymore. It was my choice... I didn't want to make my blessing off of nobody's misfortune... but I took on to Raynell like she was all them babies I had wanted and never had. (2.5.98) I believe this shows a great deal of Rose’s character. Rose accepts Raynell as her daughter, treating her as though she was Rose's own flesh and blood, even though she is the child of Troy and another woman. Rose's willingness to accept Raynell by recognizing her innocence and need of a mother shows a very kind and warm-hearted side of Rose. Her not wanting "to make [her] blessing off of" other people's "misfortune" also exemplifies her kindness. Rose also explains to Cory the qualities of Troy, which Cory may not have recognized before Troy's death. She explained how she made the choice to sacrifice parts of her life for Troy and how this choice had led to her content. -Michael Xie

=More about Rose: = ==//Attach a visual aid (photograph, painting, shape, color, etc) that represents a character trait of Rose. Be sure to label your contribution and explain the connection. Also, include your name. //==

// ﻿ I felt that the best image to represent Rose was a rose itself. I chose to display a red rose, for the unconditional love she gives to each member of her family and to her friends, even her stepdaughter fathered by Troy with another woman in an affair. However, I chose a rose with thorns, as it reflects the fierceness Rose has sometimes when she needs to protect her loved ones, especially the children, or sometimes even herself, and her desire to keep everyone she loves safe and happy. - Riowena //

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I chose Mother Teresa to represent Rose, as their lives are both based on giving, sacrificing and loving. I also wanted to show that she is a very compassionate woman since she also has so much patience and forgiveness in her relationships, with both family and friends. She looks at the good in Troy ignoring his faults and is always encouraging her son Cory having faith in him to succeed. Even when times are rough Rose continues to see the good in what still is. -Shavonne======



I think the image of a green forest could represent Rose's character. Green color renders the feeling of comfort, patience, benignancy, and kindness - which all characterizes Rose. Rose is really caring and benevolent as she wills to embrace and take care of Troy's baby born from Troy's affair with Alberta. Her love and devotion for her family - Troy, Lyons (not her own son but still cares a lot for him), Cory, and even Raynell (daughter from Troy's affair) is extremely strong. Green forest with tall trees makes me feel secure, as green is a soft color and the tall trees seem as if they could protect me from dangers. Rose's caring and embracing attitude is thus reflected with the image of a green forest which reminds me of comfortness, peace, kindness, and protectiveness. - He Ra



When thinking of Rose, the first picture that floated into my mind was that of a dog. Dogs are loyal beings, they love their owners, treat them with respect, and seek to fulfill their every desire. Rose loves Troy with all her heart, and often cares for him (for example when he is drinking, or when he wasn't feeling right). She knows him well, knows who he is, knows what he likes etc. She is also rather docile and listens to Troy, who also compares her to a dog. This loyalty is even seen (although somewhat more rarely) after she finds out about Troy's affair with the woman Alberta and the baby she will have. - Michael Ren

Gold Ring: I thought the gold ring could symbolize Rose because she is a very loyal, religious and loving person. Rose always takes deep care of her family members by doing house chores and taking care of them, she is also very deeply in love with her husband Troy whom she is also loyal to and also is highly religious. Thus, since a gold ring is a symbol of marriage, love, religion and loyality I thought that the Gold Ring was a very good representation of Rose as her characteristics are similar to the symbols of the gold wedding ring. - OLIVER



I chose this picture of two hands reaching out as if holding onto something because it reminds me of the caring and motherly nature of Rose. She is very gentle and loving to everyone, and even accepts the baby Troy has with Alberta. The hand gesture looks as if it is welcoming someone or something, which represents Rose's ability to accept anything and take care of it. Rose's motherly nature can be illustrated through this photo, as it reminds people of a mother's warmth and embrace. -Wendy Yu

Rose always reminds me of a filter. I mean, she is the wife of the family and supposedly has nothing to say or no rule or power above Troy. However, she is always there taking in account for everything everybody says. She over hears and overlooks ever detail of the family. For example, She saw the whole process of the fight with Troy and Cory about the foot ball practice. She does not get to speak about the fight during it, but she does gets to spit a lecture onto Troy after the fight. Just like a filter, she takes from a broad topic, to a few lines of really profound content. " Times have changed from when you was young, Troy. People change. The world's changing around you and you can't even see it." Although she cant empower anything on her husband, Troy, she can attempt by telling him things that is necessary for him to understand. -Robert Lee



I chose the holy cross to represent Rose mainly because of her kind and religious character. She sings religious songs, specifically Christian ones which plead for Jesus' protection over her and her family. She devotes time to the church, and shows care to everyone she comes in contact with, an important factor of Christianity. Rose welcomes Gabriel and Bono on several occasions to eat at her house, and she lovingly accepts and treats Lyons and Raynell as her own children, even though they are not her blood and flesh. Rose's love for Raynell and Lyons is a love that may be prove to be extremely difficult for another woman to give to children which she did not give birth to, further exemplifying her kindness. She is portrayed as a character of care and love, like a saint or angel, and hence the image of the holy cross.

-Michael Xie



Rose herself could represent the fences of a family/household, used both to keep loved ones in and unwanted ones out. She is the main catalyst behind the construction of the fence, which she originally intended to keep people in with. Rose is constantly trying to pull people together and mend conflicts between her family members. Now that she has found out about Troy's cheating however, she has assumed the alternate function of the fence. She is remarkably cold and indifferent towards Troy when he requests her to look after the baby girl. She only takes the girl, leaving Troy to sit "homeless" outside the house. Jerry



Like the sun, exerting light that leads the way, Rose helps everyone get back on the main road. She is there to witness everything, however she usually comments on the situation at the end to help out. With some leadership qualities, a strong backbone, and confidence in who she is and what she wants, Rose may not fully dominate over Troy’s actions, however she certainly has an influence over his thoughts as she persuades him to do certain things, benefiting most characters. When Lyons visits Troy to ask for money, Troy is reluctant, but with Rose there to guide him to showing an act of kindness towards his first son, Troy lends Lyons the money, and in the end Lyons, living up to his word, repays Troy the money that was lent to him. Although Rose is there to keep everyone in line, like the atmosphere controlling the suns radiation, she needs a fence to guard and protect those around her. ~Maryanne Cheah



The glue is a symbol for Rose as she keeps the family together. Rose is the main character who attempts to keep the family peaceful. She asks for Troy and Cory to build the fence around their house hoping for them to have a better bond with each other. The fence also helps "keeping the people in", allowing family to be closer together. Rose is the main character who tries to help certain family issues. When Cory wants to continue to play football, she attempts for Troy to see the good side and things are not what they used to be. Rose is a good wife, she is accepting to her husband's mistakes and flaws such as the baby that her husband conceived with Alberta during their affair. While other character's around her have conflicts, Rose tries to mend and resolve conflicts between the characters. Rose is seen to be the character who doesn't cause conflicts, but tries to solve them instead. - Chris Hwa
 * Glue:**



I found Rose to be more like a magnet than most other things since she attracts and tries to keep her family close to her by “trying to be everything a wife should be” and repelling everything evil away from her and her family by building a fence.- Henry Fong



I attached this photograph of a cat nursing two puppies to represent Rose because in the play she can't help but want to nurture and care for the Raynell. The fact that Raynell is Troy's illegitimate daughter makes Rose seem even more sympathetic towards her. She tells Troy, “I'll take care of your baby for you...cause...she innocent...and you can't visit the sins of the father upon the child. A motherless child had got a hard time....From right now this child got a mother. But you a womanless man.” (2.3.79) Rose is not pushover, she doesn't let Troy walk all over her, it is clear that, emotionally, Rose has detached her relation to her husband such that Troy has lost the loving wife he once had. - Janita Zhang



An eye represents Roses calm clarity towards the changes in life. Unlike Troy, she realizes that the world does not always stay the same and that any situation can be viewed differently depending on one's standpoint. She is able to relate to the thoughts and emotions of her son Cory, and see the good in Troy's hardened exterior among other things. Her insight results in the clear judgment of others and wise decision-making such as when Troy admits to seeing another woman, or when Troy requests her help to take care of his motherless daughter, Raynell. Rose may be the most caring and intelligent character in the midst of strong ideals and blind beliefs. -John Wong

In my mind, I see Rose as a religious figure, more specifically a priest. Most obviously, Rose is devoted to her religion, just like a priest. Throughout the play, Rose takes on the role as a caring mother and a dutiful wife. She also encourages Troy to construct a fence in order to protect her family from bad things. Just like a priest having faith in God, Rose has just as much faith in her son Cory. This can be shown through her actions in attempt to help Cory live a successful life as a football player. Rose is also very forgiving, given that she agrees to take care of Troy’s love child for his dead mistress, even after Troy’s scandalous affair. This is similar to when priests forgive sins.