Fences Symbolism

Each family is different and what makes each family different is the fact that they have different types of family members in them. Each with their own thoughts and points of views on matters. Like each family the Maxson family had members that had different opinions too. A fence around their around their yard was something that they had their own views on. Troy the father, had the perspective of the fence being keeping his old mistakes out. Rose the mother, believed the fence could keep her family together and “in”. The son, Cory found it as a territory border between his father and him. One fence but three different ways of interpreting it. Which means three different ways of interpreting what the fence means for each family member.

For Troy the symbolization of the fence changes throughout the course of the play. One of the things the fence represents is Troy wanting to keep out death and the past he separates himself from. After Alberta’s death Troy tries to block death out by using the fence you can tell this by when he whispers "All right . . . Mr. Death. See now . . . I'm gonna tell you what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna take and build me a fence around this
Cory and Troy never really had a steady relationship. Cory and Troy always had animosity towards each other because, of Troy refusing to let Cory play football. Throughout the play, there are heavy hearted scenes where Troy is degrading Cory, and treating him less than a father should treat his son. During the climax when they both fight and Troy wins, Cory says "Tell Mama I'll be back for my things." and Troy responds"They'll be on the other side of that fence." (2.4.110-2.4.111) through this the reader can figure out the fence is a dividing line between father and son. The impact of the fence’s meaning for Cory is also shown at the end of the play when Cory comes home for Troy’s funeral and crosses back home from the other