Elements of Language and Literature: Metaphors in Fences
We'll track the use of a few TROPES throughout the play Fences.
So far, here a few examples of METAPHORS in the play:
As the play continues, references to fences and baseball continue. In the NARRATIVE (story) Writing Assignment for this unit linked below, you'll need to select your own TROPES or METAPHORS to include in your NARRATIVE.
Access the Narrative assignment and rubric here.
Complete the linked chart as a pre-writing assignment for your narrative.
Submit this assignment on the Lesson 1 Assignment Sheet.
NEXT: Lesson 2 Reading
 "Our Wall?" US/Mexico Border Wall, San Diego, CA http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0705/feature5/gallery3.html |
Swinging for the Fences!
In baseball, at least for the batter, the outfield wall/fence may be a goal, an objective, to be reached. Hitting the ball over the fence, a homerun, would represent triumph, victory. Swinging for the fence in baseball does come with risks: in swinging hard enough to knock the ball out of the park, one might miss the ball completely--strike out. Look at the closing lines from Scene 3, where Troy, in another MONOLOGUE, explains how he's swinging for the fences every day in taking care of his family, but without much to show for it (potatoes and lard). Here's what he says: "I do the best I can do. I come in here every Friday. I carry a sack of potatoes and lard...I give you lint from my pockets. I give you my sweat and my blood. I ain't got no tears. I done spent them." We might call this MONOLOGUE, "Troy's Blues". How long can a man go on like this? Where might he turn in search of satisfaction, a chance to hit a homerun? |
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We'll track the use of a few TROPES throughout the play Fences.
So far, here a few examples of METAPHORS in the play:
| Fences | Page 21 | Rose's song about Jesus as a fence around here--the fence is like a spiritual shield here, a faith in deliverance or at least SUPPLICATION (to ask humbly, earnestly) for heavenly protection, guidance. |
| Baseball/Death | Page 10 | Death is compared to a fastball on the outside corner, so one must be wary or risk striking out! Troy believes he can still handle a fastball up and away, so death is nothing to fear. |
As the play continues, references to fences and baseball continue. In the NARRATIVE (story) Writing Assignment for this unit linked below, you'll need to select your own TROPES or METAPHORS to include in your NARRATIVE.
Access the Narrative assignment and rubric here.
Complete the linked chart as a pre-writing assignment for your narrative.
Submit this assignment on the Lesson 1 Assignment Sheet.
NEXT: Lesson 2 Reading
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