Final answer:
The speaker's tone towards turistas in 'Fences' can be seen as ambivalent or critical, contrasting with the brother's opportunistic interactions. The poem's title metaphorically refers to the barriers that separate individuals or groups, being both literal and figurative. The imagery and diction used in the poem draw attention to themes of division and restraint.
Step-by-step explanation:
In August Wilson's play Fences, the speaker's tone towards the turistas can be described as ambivalent and possibly critical—this is understood through the description of the character's observations and their interactions. As the poem unfolds, the speaker's brother is portrayed as engaging with the turistas in a way that may seem opportunistic or survival-driven, contrasting with an implied disapproving or detached stance from the speaker. Regarding the title of the poem, it metaphorically refers to barriers—both literal and figurative—that separate individuals, classes, or even cultures, suggesting a theme of division or restraint that the characters within the poem experience.
The tone, which starts with a sense of divulgence or connection between the speaker and the reader, shifts to being inquisitive, as denoted through questions posed within the poem. The imagery depicted throughout the poem is evocative, drawing attention to specific words or phrases that shape our interpretation and emotional response. The structure of the poem, the position of line breaks, and the word choices (diction) all contribute to delivering a powerful message, challenging the reader to consider the underlying significance of these metaphoric fences.