Final answer:
The song "Don't Fence Me In" describes Cory from the play Fences, as it resonates with Cory's struggle for freedom against his father Troy's restrictions and societal barriers. Unlike Richard Cory from the poem, Cory in Fences aims to overcome these constraints.
Step-by-step explanation:
The song "Don't Fence Me In" could be said to describe the character Cory from the play Fences. This is because, like the desire for freedom expressed in the song, Cory yearns for personal independence and the opportunity to pursue his own dreams, specifically a future in football. His father Troy's strictness and his own personal fences clash with this desire. In the play, Cory ultimately confronts these fences imposed by his father and society, symbolizing a broader struggle for African Americans during the time period the play is set in.
Similarly, the poem that mentions "Richard Cory" also tackles themes of appearances versus reality and the hidden inner turmoil of individuals. However, Cory from Fences does not follow the same tragic path as the character in the poem, but rather seeks to break free from the expectations and limitations set by others.