all about fences

 The play fences by August Wilson, is filled with numerous images and symbols that help bring the story to a deeper meaning. One of the main themes of the play is the attempt to break the on going cycle of sin that has been passed down from father to son. The human condition is very relevant in the context of why it's important to think for yourself and essentially "break the cycle." Some of the symbolism that surrounds this theme are fences, baseball and seeds of growth.

One of the main symbols in the play is the fence that Cory and his father built. It is very significant to the play because the character's lives are changing around the process of building this fence. The title "Fences" symbolizes the figurative fences that the characters are wrapping around themselves either to keep people from leaving or to block them from entering.