1. Turn in NOW!: Frost Analysis Frost Annotations Analysis on top
Directions/Poem/rubric packet stapled to the back
Take out poems that you did not use.
Frost Annotations
Name on top
You’ll get these back next class to study with. KEEP!!

2. Today Clip from the play: Denzel Washington
Background on Fences & August Wilson
Read next scene
HW: FINISH ACT I!

3. “Dreams” by Langston Hughes
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

4. Fences
Play that tells an individual’s story in a way that showcases the social history of the time period (1950s +).
Can one person’s story be (or become) the story of a whole group of people?

5. Context Language/Dialect- The “N” Word
Setting- Place Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Contrast immigrant experience
Setting- Time
Post WWII
Baseball
August Wilson’s legacy- understanding play’s impact.

6. Sharing Context Information
Groups of 5 – each with a different article.
7-8 min silent read/scan
If group of 4- leave off white copy
Go around; each person shares main ideas while others listen. Listen well, please.
10 minutes to share.

7. 1957
From Act 1; Scene 1- What is Wilson saying about the African American experience?
How does this scene portray life in 1957?
What does Wilson say about the African American Dream?
How does Troy’s life reflect the changing status of African American’s in 1957?

8. Troy Maxon How does Wilson characterize Troy?
First impressions of this character
Find specific evidence to support claims

9. Pg 10 - 12 Wrestling with death… Clip from Broadway production
Why might this be important?
What else do you notice about relationships? Troy and Bono, Troy and Rose, Troy and Cory, Troy and Gabe

10. Themes and Motifs Fences & Boundaries/Barriers
Relationships: father/son, husband/wife, past/present
Changing times, Generational Cycles/Patterns (how to break them)
Responsibility
Faith/Religion/Judgment

11. Fences
The play is titled “Fences,” a fence is being built on stage—obviously it’s a dominant metaphor.
So—what is a fence literally? What kinds of metaphoric fences do people erect? Which of those do people put up to protect themselves? Which are imposed by others?
Mending Wall Flashbacks??

12. Types of Fences segregation gender bias family estrangement
generation gap
psychological barriers [e.g. not being able to understand
emotional/communication barriers

13. Act 1; Scene 2
Can one person’s story be (or become) the story of a whole group of people?

14. Announcements/HW Reminders: HW: Complete Act 1
Frost Review- Thursday 3:30-?
Gatsby/Fences Review- Lunch
HW: Complete Act 1
Remember to read everything; stage directions in italics are very important to understanding the unspoken details of the performance.