Fences Study Guide Act 1 & 2

What is the year of the final scene?

1965

How has Troy's relationship changed with Bono?

Bono lost respect since Troy cheated on her; also, they no longer work on the garbage truck together.

At the opening of this scene, how do we, as the audience, know that Cory has not followed his father's wishes?

Corey is getting ready for the game

Why does Lyons come by? What does this action show?

He wants to see if Troy wants to to hear jazz he also pays him back his 10 dollars

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

He was going to leave home, 14

According to Rose, what did Troy hope to do in raising Cory?

He was hoping he wasn't going to be disappointed like he was when he grew up, that he was going to be able to support himself

Why is Cory upset with Troy?

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

When Troy is talking with Rose, what does he say is his reason for keeping Cory from the sports?

He's a black man in a white man's world. He needs a real trade

What's wrong with Pope (the African-American male who owns the restaurant) in Troy's mind?

He's catering to the white people and gives poor service to his black clients

What has happened to Cory?

He's come back from the marines to go to his fathers funeral

When Troy says he is going to Taylor's where is he really going?

He's going to the hospital to see Alberta

What does Troy's story of paying for the furniture tell you about Troy? (What is a characteristic he exemplifies?)

He's honest but he likes to stretch and exaggerate when he is telling a story. He also has a sense of responsibility. He makes sure his family is provided for (Cory needed a bed).

What is the news that Troy has to share—with Rose?

His affair with Alberta

According to the playwright (August Wilson), what is the difference in the treatment of European immigrants and the treatment of those descendants if African slaves?

Immigrants were welcomed to the city and had opportunity for jobs and wealth; black Americans were not welcomed and struggled with few opportunities.

What was happening in 1957?

Immigrants were working in factories for industrial powers, war had been confronted and won, Milwaukee braves won world series

When Cory says he isn't going to Troy's funeral, what is Rose's reasoning for him to go?

In Troy's mind he thought he was doing right by raising him the way he did, He wanted to toughen him up and make sure he was going to do good with his life

According to Troy, why doesn't he want Cory to get involved in football (sports)? What does Troy want Cory to do? (What is Troy's fear?)

It's something someone can take away from you. Cory may fail, he wants him to have a real trait. Troy may be a little jealous; he may also in some ways want to protect Cory because of his own experiences with baseball.

What nickname does Gabriel have for Lyons?

King of the jungle

Who does Bono say that Cory reminds him of?

The young Troy

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

To forget his responsibilities for a while.

What does Troy want from Rose?

To help raise his daughter

What information does Rose want from Troy? Why?

Why he doesn't come home on Fridays. She wants him to come home this Friday.

What does Bono want to find out from Troy?

Why he's sending Alberta so many drinks and if he's having an affair. Also why he's been talking and laughing with her so much lately.

Explain Troy's comment about, "You've got to take the crookeds with the straights."

You have to accept misfortune as much as you accept good fortune

How much time has passed?

2 weeks

Describe Troy

53 years old, thick hands, large man, black, loves to tell stories and sing

Before Troy shares his good news about the promotion with Rose, to whom does-- Bono imply—Troy shared the information with first? What does Troy do with Bono's implication?

Alberta first, he tells everyone

What news did Rose get from the phone call?

Alberta has died in childbirth

How would you describe Troy and Rose's relationship at the end of Scene One?

At the end of Scene 1, Troy and Rose's relationship is uneasy. Rose senses Troy's growing frustrations. Several conflicts, including Cory's football dreams and Gabriel moving out, are causing changes in his life.

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

6 months

What was important to Troy's father? (according to Troy)

The cotton crop

What was the name of Troy's dog? And what did Troy do in memory of that dog?

Blue, writes a song

What has happened to Lyons? (two main things)

Bonny left him a few years ago and he got in to trouble for cashing other peoples checks

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

Cory tells Troy that he never listens, he says that his boss, Mr. Stawicki, is holding his job for him until after the season. He threw his helmet at him.

According to Rose, why was Gabe arrested?

Disturbing the peace.

What is the message made at the end of the scene? (Rose says it.)

Don't take out your failures on your kids

What does Rose think would be best for Gabe? Why doesn't Troy agree?

For him to be admitted to a hospital where he can be taken care of. Troy doesn't think it's right for him to be committed like an animal in a cage.

Why does Lyons come to visit? What is Troy's response? (Are you surprised?)

For money, Troy says no

Who is Gabriel? Describe him and give his history

Gabriel is Troy's brother who was injured in the war. He's got a metal plate in his head, and he received $3,000 from the government in compensation for his injury.

What request does Lyons make of Troy? What is Troy's response?

He asks him to come and watch him play that night. He makes up many excuses.

Describe what happens when Cory comes into the scene.

He attacks Troy because he grabbed rose

What is ironic about the way Troy died?

He built the fence to keep death from getting him. But death crossed that and took him.

What event changed Troy's relationship with his father?

He came down to the stream where he and his girlfriend were and started to whip him. His father wanted the girl for himself so Troy started to whip him back. After the girl ran off and they got home, he got his beaten by his father.

According to Rose, why is Lyons living over at Miss Pearl's? What is Troy's view on Lyon's decision? (Why do you think Troy feels this way?)

He can come and go as he pleases, he could've done it living with him

Why didn't Troys father leave?

He felt he had a duty to provide for his family

How does Troy respond to the news?

He gets mad at death and says it shouldn't come until your ready. He challenges Death, saying he is building a fence around his family. He says he will live and die on his own terms.

Explain Troy's reaction to Rose saying "You take...and don't even know nobody's giving."

He gets mad because she said he takes and doesn't give. He only sees his own sacrifices and doesn't see that she too has sacrificed.

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

He had chosen Rose over all the other girls; he knew he had some sense

Why does Troy's decision to shop at Bella's (a grocery store owned by a single person) rather than going to the A&P (a major grocery store—like Ralph's or Vons)?

He is treated right at Bella's, he can buy a loaf of bread and pay later. Rose thinks she overcharges. Being treated right, having someone "do right" by him is very important to Troy.

What evidence do we have that Troy loved Cory even though he had kicked Cory out?

He made sure he had all the things he needed. And he pushed him to do what was best for him and made sure he knew how to take care of himself. He want'd to build the fence with him but never got around to it.

Explain Cory's view on buying a TV and Troy's view on using the money for a roof. What is important to Cory? What is important to Troy?

He needs to take care of the family first before buying things for pleasure.

What is Cory's response when Troy asks his son why Troy takes care of Cory? What is Troy's response? (Do you think that Troy likes Cory? Why?)

He says all he has to do is provide and it's not about liking his son. He told Cory not to worry about whether someone likes him, just make sure people "do right" by him.

How do we know that Rose knows how Troy feels even when he doesn't speak up about what's bother him?

He starts drinking and she knows what that means

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

He tells him that Rose is a good woman

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

He thinks that Rose is trying to keep Troy and Cory inside. He's hinting at the fact that he knows Troy is having an affair with Alberta, and he doesn't believe he should be doing that to Rose.

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

He thinks that the trumpet should be blown when it's time to open heaven's gate for the day of judgement. He is blowing his horn to announce the entrance of Troy into heaven.

What do we find out about how Troy used Gabe's money?

He used it to buy Troy and Roses house

What issue does Troy take up with the Union? (What does Troy do for a living?)

He wants to drive the garbage truck. He wants them to change the job description so everyone can drive the garbage truck.

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.

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

Lyons is Troy's 34 year old son from an earlier marriage. He is a musician. His relationship with his father is not pleasant because Lyons asks for $10, usually every Friday because he doesn't make enough money to carry him through the week.

When Rose asks Troy about the "score of the game," what is Troy's response? (Does it make sense that Rose would ask about the game? Why?)

No, why would he care, there's a sense that there's something else going on

What is the name of Troy's daughter?

Raynell

What lesson is Troy trying to reach Cory when they are talking about the $200 for the TV? What does Troy do that shows he wants to see Cory get the TV?

Responsibility, The man is responsible for the family, If Cory can get half of the tv then troy will get the other half

Who physically gives Lyons the ten dollars he asks for? Why?

Rose physically gives Lyons the ten dollars because Troy won't give it to him. Troy gives Rose his check each week.

Although Troy's father chose to stay with his family, how did Troy describe him?

Selfish, mean, straight up evil

What happened to Troy's mother?

She left when he was young and never came back

How does Troy's news affect what Rose wanted for her life?(How do we know that Rose is really hurt and upset by the information?)

She runs out of the house and screams and cries; she said that he doesn't think about what she wants. She tells Troy that he has not been a perfect husband but she held on to him because she married him for better or worse.

Although Rose agrees, what does she tell Troy?

She'll be a mother to the child but not a wife to Troy: Troy will be a "womanless man"

What is Rose's hope for Raynell?

She'll have all the best parts of them both within her

Why does Troy want to go to the hospital to see Alberta?

She's is in the hospital and is having the child early

What does Rose ask Troy to do for Cory?

Sign the papers for the recruiter so Cory can be recruited to college football.

What does Rose want Troy to admit about his experience with playing baseball and why he didn't make it in the major league?

Society is changing, Cory isn't Troy; Troy needs to admit he was too old to make it in baseball.

What does Rose mean when she says, "There's a lot of people don't know they can do no better than they doing now"?

Some people don't know they can better themselves; opportunities are out there.

What does Cory accuse Troy doing to Gabe?

Taking his disability money and putting him out

What news does Troy have for Rose?

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

What do we learn about Troy and Bono's job from the story of the man "hiding" the watermelon when the play opens up?

That they're garbage collectors and are upset about the differences in job duties. Times at the start of the book are racist.

What is Cory busy trying to do? (How has his life turned out different than he wanted?)

The Marines

Describe the fence and how it is used in this scene

They could use the work to bond, but a conflict arises between them; it's Troy wants to work on the fence with Cory, but he can't start it. The fence is much like their relationship

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

They drink, share stories, and catch up on each other's lives

Since it's Friday, what do we know will be happening with Troy and Bono?

They'll be drinking and talking

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

They'll be on the other side of that fence

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

They've been friends for 33 years, he's like family

To what does the relationship of Troy and Cory's seem familiar ? Explain.

Troy and his father's relationship is similar. Troy also moved out and found his own way because he didn't want to live with his father any more. They both were attacked by their fathers and both of them attacked their fathers.

According to Troy, why doesn't he have any extra money?

Troy doesn't have any extra money now because Gabe moved to Miss Pearl's and Troy no longer has Gabe's check from the government.

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

Troy has been getting closer to a woman named Alberta; he's started buying her drinks.

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

Troy is known for chasing women, and he has a wife. He has stopped chasing women since he's married Rose, but he is spending too much time with Alberta. Bono is concerned.

Describe the interaction between Rose and Troy—as they discuss how they met.

Troy meets her and said, "Baby I don't want to marry, but I want to be your man." She responds, "Then move out of the way so the marrying kind can find me."

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

Troy played baseball when black men weren't allowed to play in the major leagues. Since Jackie Robinson, times have changed; black Americans have more opportunities in sports and life.

Describe the differences in how Troy and Rose view playing the lottery.

Troy says the lottery is a waste of money and Rose just plays for fun.

What information has Rose found out from Miss Pearl? What is Troy's response?

Troy signed for Gabe to be locked up in the hospital. He denies this and says he may have signed something he didn't understand.

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

Troy talks about how he walked from Mobile to the city they now live in, looking for work. He couldn't find a job. He lived on the riverbank in a shack made of tar paper and sticks. Troy started stealing to survive. At first he just stole food, but then he started stealing money as well because he got married and had a baby.

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

Troy thinks he should forget sports and learn a trade: learn how to fix cars or something else so he can make a living

What does Troy say that he wants to see change?

Troy wants to see African Americans no longer denied working opportunities at their jobs.

What metaphor does Troy use for his life? Why does it seem fitting?

Troy was on 1st base and decided to steal second; he stole from Rose metaphorically.

Describe Cory's reaction to Troy. What upset Troy the most?

Troy went to Cory's coach; Cory is now upset about what Troy has done to Rose: "You don't count around here anymore."

Who is Rose and how is her relationship with Troy described?

Troy's wife is 10 years younger than Troy, she ignores or forgives his faults.

Who is Cory? And what do we learn about him (where he works and what he wants to do with his life)?

Troy's younger son, works at A & P, has an opportunity to be recruited by college football team, makes good grades.

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

When Troy finishes the fence for Rose then Bono will buy his wife the new fridge she's been wanting

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

When he had pneumonia at Mercy hospital; Troy tells the story of wrestling with Death for 3 days and 3 nights. It parallels the Biblical story of Jacob, who wrestles with an angel, and refuses to give in even though the angel injures his thigh, and insists that the angel bless him.

Bono

loyal friend, follows Troy as a side kick, says he's learned a lot about life from Troy; warns Troy against seeing another woman at the expense of his family