Fences

What does Troy want Cory to learn in order to make a living?

Fix cars or find a "real job"

What is the name of Troy's daughter?

Raynell

What does Cory accuse Troy doing to Gabe?

Taking his disability money and putting him out

What is the ritual of Friday nights for Troy and Bono?

Talk and drink liquor after work.

What news does Troy have for Rose?

That he had an affair with Alberta and she's pregnant

What news did Rose get from the phone call?

Alberta has died in childbirth

Since the end of Scene One, how much time has passed?

6 months

Briefly describe the major events in Troy's life leading up to his meeting Rose.

Before meeting Rose, Troy did not have the best life. He grew up with an abusive father, left home at 14 years old, robbed, got shot, went to jail for 15 years and learned how to play baseball while in jail, Troy and Bono met. After getting out of jail he met Rose and was able to have a more sustainable life.

According to Bono, what caused him to admire Troy and know that Troy was a man worth following?

Bono admired Troy because he was able to be truthful and he was an honest man.

Who is Cory? And what do we learn about him?

Cory is Troy's son. He is interested in becoming a professional football player. He wants to be recruited by a college football team.

What has happened to Cory?

Cory joined the Marines and became a Corporal. In addition, he met a good woman, and is thinking about getting married.

What action did Cory do to which Troy refers as a "strike one"?

Cory threw his helmet, Cory lied to him and Cory said that Troy is scared of Cory being better than him.

According to Rose, why was Gabe arrested?

Disturbing the peace

According to Rose, why is Gabriel living over at Miss Pearl's? What is Troy's view on Gabriel's decision?

Gabe is at Miss Pearls because he wanted his own space, Troy feels like he did not give Gabe any rules and he had space living with Troy and Troy feels guilty that Gabe is not living in the house that Gabe basically paid for.

Describe the significance of what happens to Gabriel at the end of the play.

Gabriel blows the horn to resemble Troy making it through the heaven gates.

What metaphor does Troy use for his life?

He compares his life and the affair to baseball.

What is ironic about the way Troy died?

He died while swinging his bat.

What does Bono mean when he tells Troy: "Times have changed, Troy. You just come along too early"?

It was a lot more discrimination when Troy was growing up rather than the time that Cory is growing in.

What do we learn about Troy from the conversation he has with Bono about Alberta?

He used to be a player.

What upsets Troy about Cory?

He wants to play football and he quits his job. He has lied to Troy which makes him think Cory doesn't respect him as the head of the household; like he doesn't have to follow Troy's rules.

Why is Cory upset with Troy?

He went to his coach and told him that Cory couldn't play football and the recruiter needs to not come.

What issue did Troy take up with the Union?

How the white men drive and the black men collect the trash.

What is "ironic" about Troy telling Bono, "I love you, man"? How long has Troy known Bono?

I think it is ironic that Troy told Bono that he loves him because it seems like they have a complicated relationship. They have known each other since jail. Troy and Bono have a brother relationship. Bono knows about Alberta.

What information does Rose want from Troy?

If he is going to Alberta's house after work

According to Bono, how does Troy's relationship with Alberta differ from the others?

It's flirtatious, he buys her drinks and visits her at her house.

Why does Lyons come by?

Lyons came to return the $20 he borrowed from Troy.

Who is Lyons? Describe his relationship with his father, Troy.

Lyons is Troy's son. Their relationship isn't really strong because Troy was not around when Lyons was being raised by his mother. Troy feels guilty.

What does Rose think would be best for Gabe?

Rose thinks Gabe would benefit more from going to a hospital.

How does Troy's news affect what Rose wanted for her life?

Rose wanted her family to be a traditional unit.

What is Rose's hope for Raynell?

Rose wants Raynell to have the good characteristics of Troy and herself.

What is the significance of Bono's reason for building fences?

Rose wants the fence to keep her family "in" and keep other people "out"

What happened to Troy's mother?

She left because Troy's dad was too much for her to deal with

What event changed Troy's relationship with his father?

The event that changed their relationship was Troy's father raping the girl that Troy liked

What is the year of scene 5?

The year of Act II Scene 5 is 1965. It is seven years later.

Who does Bono say that Cory reminds him of?

The young troy

How has Troy's relationship changed with Bono?

They haven't seen each other "in a month of Sundays". Bono does not seem to respect or follow Troy the way he used to.

What do we learn about Troy and Bono from the story of the man "hiding" the watermelon from Mr. Rand?

They work for Mr. Rand, they are garbage collectors, Troy stands up for justice because he does not think the job that Mr. Rand runs is fair.

What does Troy want from Rose?

To help raise his daughter

When Rose asks Troy about the "score of the game," what is Troy's response?

Troy asks why he cares about the game, Rose asks about the game because Troy said he was going to Taylor's but he really went to Albertas. She suspects he is cheating.

What decision did Troy make? How old was he at the time?

Troy decided to leave from his fathers house, he was 14 years old

What possible conflict for the entire play is set up in the beginning conversation between Troy and Bono?

Troy feels like he is being treated unfairly and Troy blames the world for his problems.

What is Troy's reason for his relationship with Alberta?

Troy felt like a young man without any responsibility when he was with Alberta.

Describe Troy and compare him to Bono.

Troy is a tough, stubborn guy and blunt but Bono is wise and cautious.

What does Bono say that Troy tells him all the time?

Troy tells Bono to "do right by Lucille". He tells Bono to get her a refrigerator.

When Cory says, "I'll be back for my things," what is Troy's response?

Troy tells Cory his things will be "On the other side of the fence"

What does Troy say that he wants to see change?

Troy wants to see African Americans no longer denied working opportunities at his job

What does Troy's story of paying for the furniture tell you about Troy?

Troy's story about paying for the furniture shows how he values independence and how he takes pride in providing for him and his family.

When did Troy come close to experiencing death? What is ironic in Troy's description of Death?

When Troy had pneumonia and was in the hospital. He mentions death was in a white robe, he is referring to the KKK because during the time they used to go around killing black people.

What is the deal that Troy and Bono strike—right before Bono leaves?

When Troy is done building Rose the fence, Bono will buy Lucille a new refrigerator.

What does Bono want to find out from Troy?

if Troy is going to tell Rose about Alberta and the baby