Reference no: EM133310214

Assignment:

Reading of the play, Fences by August Wilson.

Read Act 1, Scenes 1&2, and answer and respond to ONE of the topics below. Please use paragraphs to organize your ideas. In addition, you can use any part of Act 1, Scenes 1 and 2 for supporting ideas in your discussion.

Topic A: The Epigraph, a quotation that captures or emphasizes a central theme or concept expressed in a piece of literature, of the play was written by Wilson and says this:

• When the sins of our fathers visit us
• We do not have to play host.
• We can banish them with forgiveness
• As God, in His Largeness and Laws.

Think through this Epigraph, and write what you think it means. Consider these questions:

• Where does the phrase "the sins of [the] father" come from? (You may have to do a quick search to answer.)
• What does it mean for children to pay for the sins of their fathers?
• What do you think Wilson is suggesting by writing, "We can banish [the fathers' sins] with forgiveness"?
• Based on the above poem by Wilson, and Act 1, Scenes 1 and 2, what can we predict will be a major theme in Fences?

Topic B: Symbolism is when an author uses something to represent something else; the practice of using literal objects to represent something metaphorical (or figurative). What might the symbolism of the title, Fences be? Think about the following:

• What are the various uses or reasons for a fence?
• What might a fence, in general, symbolize? (metaphorical)
• Explain a way in which the use of a fence could lead to a positive result. (literal and/or metaphorical)
• Explain a way in which the use of a fence could lead to a negative result. (literal and/or metaphorical)

Based on the Act 1, Scenes 1 & 2, what could be a metaphorical fence in Fences? Note that the title implies plural, so there may be more than one answer to this question.