1. The life and times of Fences and its author, August Wilson
by August Wilson
AN INTRODUCTION
The life and times of Fences and its author, August Wilson

2. August Wilson’s Upbringing
Lived from
Raised in impoverished Hill District in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Lived in a two-room apartment without hot water or a telephone
Raised by his African American mother after his German father abandoned the family
Street image of Hill District

3. August Wilson’s Adolescent Life
Moved to a mostly white suburb of Pittsburgh after his mother remarried
Stopped attending school at 15 when he was falsely accused of plagiarizing a paper
Spent his time at the local library , learning to love books and jazz music
Considered his education “informal”

4. August Wilson’s Adult Life
Kicked out of the house by his mother for “lacking direction”
Enlisted in the army for one year
Wrote poetry and then turned his poetic eye towards plays
Won many awards for his plays, including two Pulitzer prizes

9. Characters in August Wilson’s Fences

10. Troy Maxson Maxson is a combination of Mason-Dixon line
Troy’s first name suggests the legendary city of Troy
He served time in prison for homicide
Troy became an excellent baseball player but could never become a “pro”
He tends to exaggerate his accomplishments.
He grew up with an abusive father

11. Rose Maxson Rose is committed to family and the church
She attempts to intervene between Troy and their son Cory
She also attempts to have her husband see his life more realistically since Troy exaggerates his accomplishments

12. Other Significant Characters
Jim Bono— Troy’s best friend, they met in jail, looks up to Troy
Lyons— Troy’s first son before he was married to Rose, talented musician
Gabriel— Troy’s brother, war veteran with a permanent head injury
Cory— teenage son of Troy and Rose, plays football
Raynell— Troy’s illegitimate daughter from Alberta

15. Baseball in Fences
All eyes were on the 1957 World Series
Lew Burdette throws a pitch for the Milwaukee Braves