Study Questions

How does Troy's character change over the course of the play?

Troy Maxson transforms into a lonely, unloved, fearful man from his original position as the center of attention in his family and social world. Though he constantly tries to escape his life, Troy Maxson tries to engage life and challenge Death because he believes in himself and his convictions, however illusionary they may be. Troy begins by confronting his employees about their discriminatory practices, he boasts to his best friend Bono and family member that he is not afraid of death and he keeps a secret that he thinks he can get away with about his affair with Alberta. When Troy demands respect from his son, Cory, he gets it and when he teases his other son Lyons, Troy feels bigger and better. Shown through the three Fridays interspersed in Fences, Troy rapidly descends into a lonely, friendless and loveless life when his fears, his anger and his secrets get the better of him, causing his loved ones to lose their respect for him and to change their life so that they do not depend on his presence anymore. Troy forfeits his role of loving and devoted husband, generous and responsible parent and loyal, honest and inspiring friend. Troy goes from juggling two relationships with women to having none. Troy calls the risky action of having an affair with Alberta, "stealing second." If that is how Troy plays ball at the beginning of the play, then one could say he ends the play as a benchwarmer.

Are Troy's problems self-created or out of his control?

In some ways, Troy had no control over his disappointments. Troy's self-doubts are rooted in his disappointing life and the hardships he endured while providing for himself and his family. Troy's demise is a combination of his own actions coming back to haunt him, a racist society and bad luck. Troy was born into a large, poor family with only an abusive, but hardworking father as a caretaker. He did not have any resources when he had to leave his father's house and he ended up in jail because he committed petty crimes to survive. In jail, Troy learned baseball and discovered he could play in the Negro Leagues as one of the best home-run hitters. But when Troy was at his prime, the professional well-paying Major Leagues closed their doors to black players. Unable to support his family, Troy becomes an employee of the sanitation department, working hard for many years without a promotion because of discrimination in the union's hiring practices.

However, Troy's affair with Alberta, his denial of Cory's promising future and his complaint against his union all represent choices Troy actively makes without hindrance, for better and for worse. Troy's act of signing the papers that sent Gabe away to the mental hospital combines both types of Troy's problems. It is a fateful and actively chosen problem. Troy does commit the act of signing Gabe away, but because he cannot read, Troy made the decision in ignorance. As the play progresses, Troy can no longer justify his behavior and his secrets and misdeeds get the better of him. The roles he once played with friends and family as a figurehead and role model, unravel because of the poor choices he made with the obstacles he faced.

Discuss the significance of the title, Fences, as it relates to characters and themes of the play.

Bono explains to Cory and Troy the reason for Rose's request for them to build a fence as an outside observer. Bono observes that Rose wants them to build the fence because she wants her loved ones kept close to her. Bono also explains that some people build fences to push people away. Bono is the only one who knows about Troy's affair with Alberta, which he believes will destroy the bonds of the Maxson family. Bono turns the action of building the fence into a metaphor of behavior that defines the central conflict of the play. Troy pushes Cory and Rose away while Rose and Cory try to live up to Troy's expectations and meet his demands. Wilson's writing emphasizes the Maxson family's roots in slavery with symbols, themes and storytelling. Wilson's title, Fences stands for larger boundaries than the ones created physically and emotionally in the Maxson household. The symbol of the fence also alludes to geographical boundaries and legal boundaries. Troy's last name attests to this as an amalgamation of the Mason-Dixon line that, starting in 1820, was the term used to describe the imaginary line separating the slave states from the free states. The title, Fences refers to the choices Wilson's characters make with their lives in their fair or unfair treatment of others.

What elements does Wilson employ to give the audience a sense that time has passed and characters have changed during the course of the play?

How does Fences fulfill Wilson's description of the style as a "blues aesthetic?"

Go here to read the rest:
SparkNotes: Fences: Study Questions and Suggested Essay Topics

Please note: this page contains reviews and opinions sent in by Berkeley Parents Network subscribers. Your own experience may be different. Please always check references first!

Can someone recommend a company to make and install a gate and stair railing. I have contacted several and they sometimes come out and say they will provide a estimate but that is the last you hear. One company provided a good quote and I have attempted to have them do the job, but that was about three months ago and I have received no gate or railing.

we need someone to repair and replace parts of our aged back/side yard fences and retaining walls. It's rotted away in areas, gates are sagging and don't close anymore. We need someone who's not necessarily a craftsman (don't need anything fancy), just someone who can tell us which parts really need repair/replacement now or in the near future, and can pour concrete to do new posts, etc. We want sturdy and long-lasting, not fancy. heidi

The most recent archives are from 2008, so I'm hoping for more recent experience. We need a fence replaced on one side of our Albany backyard; about 40 feet or so. We don't want an expensive custom-built solution, but do want something that looks nice and is durable. There will also be the old (rotting wood) fence to responsibly dispose of. Prefer someone with experience, environmental sensitivity, and insurance (including for any workers). R.K.

I am looking for someone (or a team) to build a fence (less then 6ft high) on our (flat) property line. The area that needs to be covered is about 50ft long and will need some brush cleared before the posts can be sunk. Does anyone have (a) recommendations of easy-to-schedule and responsive/quick crews that do this? and (b) approx. how much $ should this cost? We aren't looking for anything fancy, but we would like it to be wood and look nice. Thanks! -wanting a fence soon

My yard fence is about 20 years old. The fence boards and gates are in very good shape but about a quarter of the posts need repair/replacement. Fence builders don't seem to also do smaller repair jobs. Any recommendations for a person that repairs wooden fences? seeking fence help

We need our yard re fenced. Anyone have any current recommendations. W live on a hill and there's lots of tree roots to negotiate too..... Thanks Need a new fence

I looked at the archives, but they are fairly old, and don't really address my particular need. We want an attractive, tall (to keep the deer out) custom-made gate for the end of our driveway into our backyard. Due to the steep slope of the driveway, a rather limited amount of space around the opening, and the need for both people/bikes and cars to go through at different times (I don't want to have to open and close a huge gate when I'm just walking through with my bike, but that needs to be an option for a car), I'm hoping to find someone who can come up with a creative solution, and build and install it. Ideally, we'd like to incorporate some of the wood and copper we happen to have left from previous projects, but at the very least the person must take an environmentally sensitive approach to design. R.K.

We need to have our fence replaced. Thanks! good neighbor

I'm looking for recent recommendations for someone to extend our redwood fence to include some of our side yard. I think it would be a relatively small job. While we of course care about quality, competitive pricing is probably the most important consideration for us right now.

The rest is here:
Berkeley Parents Network: Fences & Gates

A guardsman stands on duty outside Clarence House. Photo: Reuters

London:Royal guards have been moved from their traditional posts outside the England's palaces amid fears that Islamist fanatics may target them.

The instantly recognisable Queen's Guards have been withdrawn from their sentry boxes in front of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, St James's Palace and Windsor Castle to positions behind locked gates or fences.

The decision was taken by Buckingham Palace and police due to fears that "lone wolf" attackers inspired by the Islamic State group might see them as a high-profile target.

Although the ceremonial guards carry rifles fitted with a bayonet, the firearms are not loaded.

Advertisement

Armed police already provide additional security for the soldiers, after the murder of a soldier on ceremonial duty at Canada's national war memorial in a suspected terror attack in October and the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby outside Woolwich barracks last year.

Guards have also been told not to take sentry duty alone, for the first time since the height of the IRA threat.

Some former guards said the "retreat" in the face of terrorism was disappointing. Retired Major Iain Dalzel-Job of the Scots Guards said: "I think this is a big shame. The reason people know we're around is because they can see us. But I suppose the changes are necessary as there is a significant threat."

However, Terry O'Shea, a former Welsh Guardsman, said: "Moving the guardsmen back to a more secure area seems an honourable retreat given the danger posed by the terrorists.

Link:
Queen's guards retreat behind security fences

A guardsman stands on duty outside Clarence House. Photo: Reuters

London:Royal guards have been moved from their traditional posts outside the England's palaces amid fears that Islamist fanatics may target them.

The instantly recognisable Queen's Guards have been withdrawn from their sentry boxes in front of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, St James's Palace and Windsor Castle to positions behind locked gates or fences.

The decision was taken by Buckingham Palace and police due to fears that "lone wolf" attackers inspired by the Islamic State group might see them as a high-profile target.

Although the ceremonial guards carry rifles fitted with a bayonet, the firearms are not loaded.

Advertisement

Armed police already provide additional security for the soldiers, after the murder of a soldier on ceremonial duty at Canada's national war memorial in a suspected terror attack in October and the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby outside Woolwich barracks last year.

Guards have also been told not to take sentry duty alone, for the first time since the height of the IRA threat.

Some former guards said the "retreat" in the face of terrorism was disappointing. Retired Major Iain Dalzel-Job of the Scots Guards said: "I think this is a big shame. The reason people know we're around is because they can see us. But I suppose the changes are necessary as there is a significant threat."

However, Terry O'Shea, a former Welsh Guardsman, said: "Moving the guardsmen back to a more secure area seems an honourable retreat given the danger posed by the terrorists.

Originally posted here:
Terror fears push Queen's guards behind security fences

Frozen Fences Podcast Episode 5: Hot Spicy Cast
The 5th episode is here only 18 days late! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow us on twitter! https://twitter.com/Froze...

By: Frozen Fences

The rest is here:
Frozen Fences Podcast Episode 5: Hot Spicy Cast - Video

5 Types of Fences for Your Charlottesville Horse Farms
5 Types of Fences for Your Charlottesville Horse Farms http://charlottesvillehorsefarms.com/5-types-of-fences-for-your-charlottesville-horse-farms/ http://www.jumpintogreenerpastures.com/...

By: Pam Dent

More:
5 Types of Fences for Your Charlottesville Horse Farms - Video

A wrought iron fence has been erected around the County Administration building to keep vagrants at bay, however, it also surrounds the Downtown Farmer's Garden, preventing access to visitors and passersby, including law student Ted Riquelme, left, and Children's Home Society employee Asa Drake, right, who says she regularly visits the garden, Sunday, December 21, 2014 in Gainesville, Fla. "Seeing the fence around the garden made it a little daunting," said Drake, as she tried to take a peek at the garden through the iron bars. "It makes it feel like we are trespassing."

In response to growing concerns about public health and safety, the county has erected fences at spots around the County Administration Building downtown.

The fences were erected a few months ago after complaints from citizens and county employees regarding issues with the downtown homeless population, said Charlie Jackson, the county's facilities manager.

As part of a comprehensive security update, the county spent $8,830 on the fences, which close off nooks where people can hide, such as the organic garden. There is also a conceptual plan to install security cameras on the exterior of the building.

There were several situations where the homeless have scared or threatened employees coming into or leaving work, Jackson said.

"It's gotten worse in recent weeks," he said.

Though Jackson said safety was a concern, many employees said that the main issue is sanitation.

Brittany Bassler started working for the county tax collector about a year ago. She was told the fences were mainly built to maintain the building, rather than out of a safety concern.

Bassler said she hasn't been directly contacted or harassed by anyone, but she does notice trash and abandoned bags and clothes often near the building.

A few months ago, a bomb squad was called because a bag was left on a transformer; the bag turned out to contain clothing, she said.

View post:
Issues of safety, sanitation inspire fences downtown

Dragons w/ Jawz247 | Stuck in the fences
Please like, comment, and subscribe!

By: Jawz247

Read this article:
Dragons w/ Jawz247 | Stuck in the fences - Video

How Its Made - 117 Temporary Metal Fences
How Its Made Season 3 episode 4 Temporary Metal Fences.

By: How Its Made

Link:
How Its Made - 117 Temporary Metal Fences - Video

Leopardstown. Click here to bet.

Willie Mullins is confident Vautour is "ready for anything" ahead of his first Grade One assignment over fences in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

The five-year-old got last season's Cheltenham Festival off to a flyer for the Irish with a mesmerising display in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and he went on to follow up at Punchestown, capping an unbeaten campaign.

He could not have been more impressive on his chasing bow at Navan last month and will be long odds-on to beat five rivals on Boxing Day, with Paul Townend deputising in the saddle for Kempton-bound Ruby Walsh.

Mullins said: "Vautour was awesome in Navan first time over fences, but when he won the Supreme he jumped those hurdles without making any mistake. He looked like he was on a different set of rails.

"I thought Ruby was going a mad pace (at Cheltenham), but Ruby has this clock in his head and he knew he was going a pace he was happy with but the others were struggling and couldn't keep it up. He was foot-perfect at every hurdle.

"It is lovely to watch horses stand off all the time but you need a horse that has to be able to shorten up and put in a quick one when they are wrong.

"I think he's ready for anything. I think he looks the part and everything he's done so far he is the part. I'm looking forward to him."

Vautour is reopposed by the Gordon Elliott-trained Clarcam, who was eight lengths adrift at Navan and has since got off the mark over fences himself at the same track.

Noel Meade's Chancol is two from two over fences, most recently landing the Grade Two Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown.

More:
Mullins: Vautour looks the part