Gender Roles in August Wilson’s Fences

Gender Roles in August Wilson’s Fences

The play Fences, by August Wilson, is a story of a troubled African-American family living in the 1950s. Focusing on the plight of the Maxsons, a family comprised of a faithful wife (Rose), unfaithful husband (Troy), hardworking son (Cory), lazy son (Lyons) and mentally handicapped brother (Gabriel), Fences explores their lives in an attempt to show some of the trials African-American families faced during the 1950s. The central plot of the play concentrates on Troy Maxson, the alcoholic, cheating husband who is stuck living in his past baseball glory days, and his attempt to earn a living and be a successful father.…