Fences Plot
Cory asks Troy a deep, personal question. What is it?
Cory asks why Troy doesn't like him
How is Troy not technically qualified for the new job?
He does not have a driver's license
What happened to Troy's brother, Gabriel?
He suffered brain damage during the war, has a metal plate and got a $3000 settlement
What, specifically, does Cory want and ask his father to say to him?
"'Good job, son'"
How is Rose described? What symbolic meaning might Rose's name have?
"She is ten years younger than TROY, her devotion to him stems from her recognition of the possibilities of her life without him: a succession of abusive men and their babies, a life of partying and running the streets, the Church, or aloneness with its attendant pain and frustration. She recognizes TROY's spirit as a fine and illuminating one and she either ignores or forgives his faults, only some of which she recognizes. Though she doesn't drink, her presence is an integral part of the Friday night rituals. She alternates between the porch and the kitchen, where supper preparations are underway" (Wilson 5) Rose is an element of beauty and purity in Troy's otherwise dirty life. She also symbolizes nurturing and compassion.
How does the introduction describe Troy? Use specific details in your response.
"TROY is fifty -three years old a large man with thick , heavy hands" (Wilson 1)
How old was Troy when he left home?
14
Why is July 1941 important as it relates to how Troy sees death?
1941 is when Troy fought against the Japanese (and Gabe was injured?)
In what year does the play take place?
1957
Who comes by for a brief visit and declines Troy's offer of a drink of gin?
Bono
Who does Troy tell never to come back to the house?
Cory
Who is at the house, ready to go to the funeral, but says that he or she will not be going to the funeral?
Cory
Who punches Troy in the chest?
Cory
Rose thinks the real reason Troy never played Pro Ball is what?
Rose thinks Troy was too old to play in the majors by the time they opened up (He wasn't good enough)
Bono tells Troy why Rose wants the fence. What's her reason?
Rose wants the fence because she loves Troy and Corey. She therefore wants them to bond or maybe just wants to keep and eye on Troy. She wants to keep her loved ones close.
To which figure does Troy compare death at the bottom of page 11?
Troy compares death to the grim reaper
How much does it cost to get Gabe out of jail?
50 dollars
What home improvement project are Troy and Cory working on?
A fence
What is Troy's new job?
A garbage truck driver
Who is Alberta? What does Bono suggest in going on between Alberta and Troy? What is Troy's reaction?
A woman from Tallahassee who Troy may be having an affair with (suggested by Bono). Troy becomes defensive.
Who dies?
Alberta (the woman Troy had an affair with) dies in childbirth (the child lives)
What is Troy's attitude toward Lyons? How does he reveal his attitude?
Annoyed by Lyons asking him for money repeatedly. Reveals this by refusing to give him money. Also thinks he is wasting his life by playing music.
Where did Troy get the money to buy the house?
He got the money from the government due to Gabriel's injury
What about Cory—what is he doing for a living at the close of the play?
He is a United States Marine Corporal
Where is Lyons living at the close of the play?
He is at the workhouse(a prison for petty offenders where they are expected to work)
How does Troy phrase his stern warning to Cory at the chapter's (Act 1) conclusion?
He phrases his warning as "strike one"
When Troy gets home from the bar, what seems inconsistent about Troy's story?
He said he went to listen to a baseball game, but he doesn't know the score
Who does Troy say he's building the fence to keep out at the end of act 2: Scene 3?
He says he is building the fence to keep "Mr. Death" out
What did Troy do to Cory?
He told his football coach that he isn't allowed to play and to tell the recruiter not to come
What happened to his chest?
He was shot there by the man he killed (before he killed him with a knife)
What is Bono going to do for his wife when Troy finished the fence?
He will buy Lucille (his wife) a new refrigerator when Troy finished the fence
What does Troy bring home at the opening of Act Two: Scene Three?
His baby(Raynell)
Troy orders Cory to go and get something at the A&P Market. What is it?
His job (back)
Troy's last name is Maxson? What symbolic meaning might his name have?
Mason Dixon line (divided north and south)
How does Troy personify death? How does he compare death to baseball?
Personifies death as someone he wrestled with and a creditor. Compares death to a fastball on the outside corner that he can easily crush.
At the opening of Act Two: Scene Four, Rose is just leaving. She is leaving for a place that in Act One: Scene One, she is described as loving Troy so as to avoid a life of partying, aloneness, or this place. Where is she going?
She is going to church
What is Rose taking with her when he leaves in Act Two: Scene Four?
She is taking cakes for a bake sale
What is Rose's attitude toward the conflict between Lyons and Troy?
She just wants the conflict resolved so she gives Lyons the money.
What is Troy's attitude toward Jackie Robinson? What can you infer from his attitude?
Thinks Jackie Robinson wasn't that good; therefore he think he was very good. Bitter attitude about not being able to play in the major leagues.
Why does Lyons stop by?
To return Troy's $10
What are the papers that Troy signed and that Rose is upset about?
Troy signs papers to commit Gabe to the mental hospital and Rose is upset about that
What do Troy and Bono do for a living?
garbage collectors
What gender is the child?
girl
Where did he learn to play baseball?
jail
Where did he meet Bono?
jail
What did Troy do for a living in Mobile?
rob people
