August Wilson's plays "Fences" and "The Piano Lesson" explore African American life in the 20th century. These works delve into family dynamics, generational conflicts, and the lasting impact of racism and oppression on individuals and communities.

Wilson's characters grapple with complex issues like lost opportunities, family legacies, and the weight of history. Through rich symbolism and authentic dialogue, these plays offer a nuanced portrayal of the African American experience, highlighting both struggles and resilience.

Plot and Conflict in "Fences" and "The Piano Lesson"

"Fences": Troy Maxson's Struggles

• "Fences" centers around Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball player now working as a garbage collector in 1950s Pittsburgh
• Troy's relationships with his wife Rose and son Cory are central to the plot
• The main conflicts revolve around Troy's bitterness over lost opportunities, his affair with Alberta, and his opposition to Cory's football ambitions
• Troy's experiences highlight the impact of systemic racism and oppression on individuals and their relationships

"The Piano Lesson": Family Heirloom and Generational Conflict

• In "The Piano Lesson", set in 1930s Pittsburgh, Boy Willie Charles seeks to sell a family heirloom piano to buy land his ancestors worked as slaves
• His sister Berniece opposes this, wanting to keep the piano and its carved history in the family
• The central conflict is between honoring the past and moving forward
• The play explores the importance of heritage and the difficulties of reconciling the past with the present

Complex Characters and Family Dynamics

• Both plays feature strong, complex African American characters grappling with family dynamics, generational differences, and the weight of historical and personal legacies
• Wilson delves into the dynamics of African American families, showing the tensions between generations and the ways in which the past influences the present
• The characters grapple with the legacies of slavery, discrimination, and personal choices
• Through these plays, Wilson gives voice to the African American experience, highlighting both the struggles and the resilience of his characters

Symbolism in Wilson's Plays

The Fence in "Fences"

• In "Fences", the fence Troy is building serves as a metaphor for the barriers he creates in his relationships
• The fence symbolizes the ways Troy tries to protect his loved ones while also shutting them out
• Baseball also symbolizes Troy's past dreams and the discrimination he faced
• These symbols help to explore complex themes and make the characters' struggles tangible and resonant

The Piano in "The Piano Lesson"

• The piano in "The Piano Lesson" is a powerful symbol of the Charles family's history, with carvings depicting their enslaved ancestors
• It represents the weight of the past and the difficulty of moving forward while still honoring heritage
• The piano serves as a focal point for the play's central conflict between Boy Willie and Berniece
• The symbolism of the piano underscores the themes of family legacy and the African American experience

Themes of Family and Legacy

Generational Tensions and the Weight of the Past

• In both plays, Wilson explores the tensions between generations and the ways in which the past influences the present
• The characters grapple with the legacies of slavery, discrimination, and personal choices
• Troy's conflicts with his sons in "Fences" highlight the impact of his own experiences and the generational divide
• The debate over the piano in "The Piano Lesson" represents the struggle to reconcile the past with the present and the importance of family heritage

The African American Experience

• Through these plays, Wilson gives voice to the African American experience, highlighting both the struggles and the resilience of his characters
• "Fences" portrays the ways in which systemic racism and oppression can impact individuals and their relationships, as seen through Troy's experiences
• "The Piano Lesson" explores the significance of African American history and the ongoing effects of slavery and oppression
• Wilson's plays provide a powerful and nuanced representation of African American life and the complex issues faced by his characters

Dramatic Techniques in Wilson's Plays

Realistic Dialogue and Rich Characterization

• Wilson employs realistic dialogue and richly drawn characters to create vivid, relatable portraits of African American life
• His use of vernacular and dialect adds authenticity and depth to the characters
• The complex relationships and conflicts between characters serve to explore larger themes and issues

Setting as Microcosm

• The plays' settings, such as the Maxson's backyard in "Fences" and the Charles' household in "The Piano Lesson", serve as microcosms for exploring larger societal issues and themes
• The confined settings allow for a focused examination of the characters' relationships and the impact of their environment

Symbolic Elements

• Wilson uses symbolism, such as the fence and the piano, to make abstract concepts more concrete and to underscore the plays' central conflicts and themes
• These symbols serve as powerful visual and metaphorical representations of the characters' struggles and the larger issues at play

Non-linear Storytelling and Historical Context

• The non-linear storytelling in both plays, with characters recounting past events, allows Wilson to explore the ways in which history shapes the present and the characters' lives
• By incorporating historical context and the characters' backstories, Wilson provides a rich and layered exploration of the African American experience over time
• Through his masterful use of language, characterization, setting, and structure, Wilson creates powerful, thought-provoking works that illuminate the African American experience and resonate with universal human struggles