Remarks on Professor Fusi's Lecture on Fences. 9-4-07

I found the lecture on the themes of Fences to be very interesting. Besides the points that Professor Fusi mentioned, I would like to bring up the theme of old thinking versus new thinking. Since the play takes place in the late 1950's the civil rights movement is in its earliest stages. Troy seems to represent the old way of thinking where the African American has to fill the lower jobs and driving the garbage truck is as high as it is going to get. His philosophy comes into direct conflict with that of his son Cory, who aspires to be a football player. Troy can't see that times are changing and that the time of discrimination is ending. Even in his favorit sport, baseball, Troy can't see that Jackie Robinson has broken the color barrier in the Major Leagues. I find this to be another theme that seems to run in August Wilson's play.