Conveying to the reader his themes allows the responder to create a meaning and purpose for his poem. In Mending Wall, the composer uses imagery to convey his theme of the barrier in the relationship between humans. In the poem, the ‘wall’ is a symbolic representation of the barriers that separate friendship between the neighbours. The repetition of the word ‘wall’ throughout the poem allows the reader to interpret and understand why there is a barrier between the neighbours. “Sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, and spills the upper boulders in the sun” (lines 2-3) is an example of imagery used to help the responder to create a distinctively visual description of the setting. The responder can see that the ‘wall’ is visually described as a giant barrier. Through the use of the imagery in the quote and the distinctively visual image Frost has created through it, the responder is able to interpret the distance in the relationship between humans. “Good fences make good neighbours” (line 27), once again frost uses the distinctively visual image of the fence being the neighbour in order to convey his theme of man’s relationship with each other through the characterisation of the neighbour. The repetition of this quote throughout the poem…
In the poem “Mending Wall” Robert Frost uses form, function, and philosophy to create meaning. To do this he uses many different techniques like blank verse, enjambment, end-stopped lines, syntax, meter, and iambic pentameter. These techniques are used to support the main theme of tradition versus innovation.…
Metzger, Sheri. "An Essay on Fences." Literature Resource Center. Gale Group. Web. 23 Nov. 2009. .…
The reason for beginning with Frost’s poem from the literal stance is to establish a foundation in which symbols are used as metaphors. “Mending Wall,” is literally after winter when the speaker and his neighbor repair the wall. A wall which was damaged by unseen nature and hunters. As they repair the wall the speaker questions the reason why the neighbor wants the wall repaired. He infers that their trees are different and produce opposite things. Even though, the speaker internally questions why the neighbor wants to keep this wall amid them, he wonders if he can cause the neighbor to question his own ideas about the wall. He does not act on this thought instead he continues to walk down the wall rebuilding it from his side, as the neighbor does the same.…
In the play Fences by August Wilson, power and privilege are key elements in defining…
In August Wilson’s play, “Fences”, the characters endure both times of contentment and despair. In the play, the protagonist, Troy Mason, copes with both peacefulness and defeat. Throughout the play he rebels and frustrates as he struggles for fairness in a society which seems to offer none. However, soon one notices that beneath a mask of cruelty and toughness there is an individual who takes responsibility for his family no matter how difficult circumstances may seem. Throughout the play, Troy is constantly defined by how he approaches tough situations. For example, one of the major conflicts in the play was the conflict between Troy and his son. Throughout the play, Troy is forced to take a stand. He has to decide to either stand with his son or against him. As the play progresses, readers realize that Troy holds a strong grudge against professional sports and does not support Cory’s dream of playing professional football.…
In the poem ‘Mending Wall’, Frost portrays two neighbours working together to fix a wall, despite being at odds with each other.…
There’s an old saying about children being like their parents that says, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. This saying is very true for Troy Maxson, the main character of the play Fences by August Wilson. Troy strived to be a good father to his children, but as a result of selfishness and not having a good father himself, he had a bad relationship with his sons.…
Fences is a "tragedy of the common man” who challenges the affront to his dignity. Troy Maxson’s downfall was caused by his response to the challenge that racism posed to his personal dignity. Although Troy was able to knock a baseball out of the park like it was nothing, he constantly "missed the mark" in his personal life. Troy had a tragic flaw, which was that he did whatever he thought was right without thinking of the consequences. In an attempt to respond to the indignities he suffers, he distorts history, denies facts, and lies. The circumstances that shaped Troy to the character he is, led to the development of a begrudging mentality. As Troy did not amount to much, he did not want others to surpass him and diminish his self-reputation. In addition, although prison has a negative connotation, it was a positive turning point for Troy. Also, it can be inferred Troy suffered from athazagoraphobia. Racism played a key role in Troy’s refusal to accept his circumstances.…
When he smashed his thumb and received news of his father’s death he was building the wall for his daughter. He was building this wall thinking of how his father would have gone about building it. (145) Sanders was emotionally attached to the wall, “I took pains over the wall I was building the day my father died.” (143) The author shows his true character when his daughter’s gerbils become trapped within the wall. (143) Though he built the wall the day his father died he was willing to tear it down for the sake of his crying daughter. This shows the outstanding disposition Sanders’ has. The inheritance of this character is something that can only be learned from true kindness and selflessness.…
Fences is a play set in 1950’s America, which examines the conflicts between generations, and racial tensions between African Americans and white Americans. The play focuses on the Maxson family’s struggle to cope with Troy’s egotism and double-standards. On the one hand, he demands people to be realistic, practical, and responsible. On the other hand, he is having affair with Alberta and is living in a private fantasy world.…
Kogawa makes mention that there is a way around a wall such as a gate, ladder, door, or a sentinel. The gate, ladder, door and a sentinel symbolize a solution a person can have for an obstacle in order to reach your everyday goal in life, which in this poem the obstacle would be the wall and the goal would be to reach the other side.…
In the play Fences Troy failed to see how much society has changed since he was younger. He takes it out on his son Cory who has realized that society has changed and has big dreams. All of Troy’s actions in this play were based on the way he feels about societal expectations and he destroyed his…
The speaker is of the view that the reason the divider has “gaps even two can pass abreast” is that there is a secretive compel at work that essentially “doesn’t love a wall.” As opposed to the speaker who is youthful, exuberant, enthusiastic and with an adaptable form of mind who feels that a limit line between the two neighbors is unneeded and pointless, his neighbor appears to have a profound situated, daze confidence in the estimation of dividers and wall. He couldn't care less to clarify his conviction and rather, stonily affirms his dad's words, “Good fences make good neighbors.” The more…
Minority groups often form their own communities within society, this can be shown in the play “Fences” written by August Wilson. This was illustrated by the character Troy Maxson, and his role in the black community. The importance of community to the African American culture is so significant because they feel oppressed by mainstream society. As a result of this oppression they feel the need to form their own community. Forming a community is necessary in order to create a group identity, and the driving forces that hold a community together can also be the cause of its destruction.…