Question

Since scene two opens with a reference to a fence, and since the setting included a reference to an unfinished fence around the house, and since the title of the play is Fences, it seems like a good idea to consider possible symbolic meaning. What are some things a fence might represent? What might be the meaning of a fence in this play?

Answer 1

In the play 'Fences', the unfinished fence is a powerful motif symbolizing boundaries, protection, division, and personal limitations faced by the characters.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the play Fences, the motif of the unfinished fence holds significant symbolic meaning. A fence can represent boundaries, both physical and emotional, that individuals build to protect, to isolate, or to contain something within. In this play, the fence may symbolize the protagonist's desire to protect his family, the barriers he faces as an African American in a segregated society, or even the personal limitations he imposes upon himself and others. The constant reference to constructing and mending the fence highlights the ongoing struggles and conflicts within the characters' lives. As a motif, the fence could also embody the characters' constant fight for stability and definition in their lives against various dynamic and challenging forces. The play uses the fence to not only shape the physical setting but also to frame the thematic structure, encompassing themes such as family, protection, division, and constraint.