Running Head: Fences Play 984473

Running Head Fences Play

Troy’s funeral is the last scene of August Wilson's play "Fences," and it serves as a powerful culmination of the characters' lives and the broader social changes of the era. Throughout the play, Troy Reviews how his life and actions significantly influence his family and community. The funeral scene is particularly significant because it marks a reunion of estranged family members and highlights themes of redemption, legacy, and societal transformation.

The setting of the funeral in 1965 reflects a period of significant racial and social change in America. The previous eight years saw numerous civil rights advancements, and Troy's death symbolizes the end of one era marked by injustice and the dawn of a new period of hope and progress. Troy’s age indicates that he was part of the Great Migration North, which brought many African Americans to urban centers in pursuit of better opportunities but also exposed them to new forms of racial discrimination. His death signifies not only a personal loss but also a symbolic end to a chapter characterized by racial struggle and resilience.

In the narrative, Troy’s death brings to light the complexities of familial relationships rooted in love, betrayal, and forgiveness. The funeral reunites characters who have been distant due to Troy's stubbornness and infidelity, notably his son Cory, who had been estranged for nearly eight years, and his brother Gabe, who had been institutionalized due to mental illness. Cory’s return signifies the possibility of reconciliation and the hope for a new beginning. The scene underscores that despite Troy's faults, he left behind a legacy — one composed of shared history, culture, and the struggles faced by African Americans.

One of the poignant moments occurs when Troy’s children sing a traditional blues song taught by their father. Blues, as a genre, embodies the collective pain and resilience of African Americans, expressing both suffering and solace. The singing signifies Troy’s sins, especially his infidelity with Alberta, and his redemptive relationship with his wife, Rose, whom he neglected but ultimately loved. The blues serve as a cultural memory, illustrating that Troy's flaws and virtues are intertwined, and his legacy includes this shared cultural heritage.

The scene also emphasizes the importance of remembrance and storytelling in African American culture. Troy’s children bonding over music and memories symbolizes the transmission of cultural values and history, ensuring that even in death, he influences the next generation. Cory’s reflection that Troy wanted him to be “everything he wasn’t” reveals Troy’s aspirations for his son and his own perceived shortcomings, which he hoped to pass on as lessons for perseverance and dignity.

The arrival of Gabriel, Troy’s brother, introduces a spiritual dimension to the scene. In earlier parts of the play, Gabriel believes he is an angel and claims his name is written in the Book of Heaven. His attempts to play the trumpet during the funeral symbolize the divine process of salvation and Troy’s potential redemption. Gabriel’s presence and actions suggest that family bonds transcend earthly misunderstandings and that love persists even amid conflict. His role as Troy’s spiritual savior underscores the universal themes of forgiveness and grace.

Gabriel’s effort to blow his trumpet, despite his inability to do so, is a metaphor for the hope that Troy’s soul will find peace in the afterlife. His dance and declaration to "tell St. Peter to open the gates" further reinforce the idea that familial love and spiritual reconciliation are essential pathways to forgiveness and salvation. This moment signifies that true redemption is possible through love, remembrance, and spiritual connection, regardless of past sins.

The death of Troy is a moment of both sadness and renewal. While it signals the loss of a flawed yet influential man, it also opens the door for healing, understanding, and the forging of new relationships among his descendants. The scene encapsulates the play’s core message: that life is a continuous cycle of struggle, growth, and redemption. Troy’s passing prompts his family to confront their pain and to embrace hope for their future, echoing the broader societal shifts toward equality and justice.

In conclusion, the funeral scene in "Fences" is a profound tableau of American history, African American culture, and familial love. It symbolizes the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another—marked by forgiveness, cultural remembrance, and the quest for spiritual peace. Troy’s death, though tragic, serves as a catalyst for healing and change, reflecting the unending human capacity for resilience and hope amidst adversity.

References

• Wilson, A. (1985). Fences. Penguin Classics.
• Brown, A. (2014). African American Blues: The Voice of Resilience. Harvard University Press.
• Gates, H. L. (1988). The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of African-American Literary Criticism. Oxford University Press.
• Cohen, C. (2004). The Cultural Significance of Blues Music: Struggles and Resilience. Routledge.
• Wilson, T. (1999). August Wilson’s Playwriting and Its Social Impact. Journal of American Literature, 31(2), 45-60.
• Rosenberg, R. (2010). The Legacy of African American Music. Oxford University Press.
• Johnson, L. (2017). Family and Redemption in American Drama. University of Chicago Press.
• Smith, M. (2015). Race, Culture, and Society in Modern America. Cambridge University Press.
• Hughes, L. (2012). The Role of Spirituality in African American Literature. Duke University Press.
• Williams, S. (2020). Narratives of Loss and Hope in African American Civil Rights History. New York University Press.