Fences by August Wilson

Each of us has dreams: dreams of what we might become; dreams of where we might go; dreams of what we might have.  Sometimes our dreams are the same as our families wish for us; but, sometimes they are new dreams that our families don’t understand.  Growing up or coming of age sometimes requires us to choose between or even compromise our dreams. Either choice often entails a cost.   For many people, another facet of growing up is learning how to interact with a world that does not share or support their dreams. Social and political attitudes (including institutionalized racism) present obstacles.  In addition, people must balance their responsibilities to their families while seeking to pursue their individual goals. In this unit, you will read about characters who struggle to achieve their dreams. Each will encounter victories and defeats as they try to protect and to achieve their dreams. As you read Fences, please keep in mind these essential questions that will guide your study. [Questions and other reference material adapted from the Penumbra Theatre’s Fences study guide.]

• How does one define one’s self within the larger assumptions and expectations of society?

• What is our responsibility to ourselves (and our dreams) versus our responsibility to family members and to society?