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Homework for Wednesday, 1.30 & Friday, 2.1. (It's not as much as it appears to be.)
Before class Wednesday, post to the blog:- Your answers to Monday’s in-class work, specifically:
- three major symbols (and your explanations) from “Setting.”
- 2-3 questions you generated from “The Play.” Then, attempt to answer them.
- A discussion question from Act One, Scenes 1-2. Your discussion question must be narrow in focus and address a significant symbol, metaphor, or passage of dialogue.
Also, by Friday:- Complete the Quarter 2 Eval.
- Revisit your Fences annotations (I will collect them on Friday) and improve accordingly. Specifically, they should:
- Mark significant passages; highlight key words, images, and patterns.
- Raise questions in the margins.
- Draw connections with page number references (for example, “See page xx for ...”).
Thanks.
17 comments:
1. Three Major Symbols: 1. The partially fenced yard represents the barriers of their life, as well as the title. Fences are meant for safety, and to keep things in or out. It is only partially built, it is a work in progress by Troy to protect Cory.
2.The ball made of rags represents Troy's Dreams. He wanted to play baseball but was restricted to the Negro Leagues. He has been hurt and his dreams lie in rags.
3. The sturdy porch represent's the family's mainstay in life; Rose. Like the porch she is fairly new and a little bit out of place while Troy struggles with ancient barriers. She is the one thing that is sturdy, loyal, and predictable.
Questions:
1. Why does August Wilson say that the Braves won the world series? Answer: Because Hank Aaron was on that team. He was a great African-American baseball player.
2. Why does he spend so much time on the immigrants in "The play" when they don't explicitly appear in the book?
Answer: I think he is using this as a way to let the reader decide what feelings etc. are expressed in this play. He sets up the setting of why Troy is in this situation, and lets the story speak for itself.
Discusstion question: A big chunk of Act 1 is devoted to the relationship between Troy, and Lyons. What does this passage reveal about Troy's personality, and his views about raising children?
John S
Symbols:
1) The Fence: the fence as a symbol for me of wanting improvements. I think that the fence shows how they are trying to make their house look better than what it actually is. I think that it shows a desire for change.
2) The porch: the porch functions but it needs to be repainted. This might represent that although many things work, they need improvements to appear better.
3) The house: I think that the house represents the economic status of the family. I say this because it is very old, by a ‘big city neighborhood,’ located by an alley, and the porch needed to be painted which I believe shows that they are from maybe the middle-lower class.
Questions:
Why did he add in the part about the Braves in this book?
How does the idea of the ‘American Dream’ play a role through out this play?
Three major symbols:
-The fence around Troy's house is partially finished. Fences represent boundaries in this play. Rose really wants the fence to be completed, so that she can keep Troy and Cory under control, so to speak. However, Troy is reluctant to finish the fence because he is not quite sure that he wants to remain trapped in his life with is Rose, as is demonstrated by his infidelity.
- The house is old, in an urban area, and down a back alley. This symbolizes Troy's working class status.
- The crooked, newly added porch represents Rose. She is a relatively recent addition to Troy's life, but she clashes a little bit with Troy's personality, as is symbolized by the porch's incongruence.
Questions from "The Play."
- Why is the experience of white immigrants described in the first paragraph of "The Play?"
I think that this is included to show the disparity between the experience of white immigrants from Europe and black "immigrants" from the south; both have the capacity for hard work and the ability to succeed, and yet the blacks had their opportunities limited because of their race.
- "The Play" says that the city "rejected" the blacks who attempted to integrate themselves, indicating that there was anti-black prejudice in the city. Troy undoubtedly experienced some of this, being black. How do you think that the discrimination that Troy faced shaped his character?
Troy is much more concerned with the practical things in life than hard to achieve dreams. This is because his own dream of playing baseball in the major leagues was thwarted by anti-black prejudices. When his sons Lyons and Cory want to pursue careers that they enjoy but require the acceptance of whites, Troy says that they should stop dreaming and learn practical trades so that whites will need their skills.
Discussion question: What are the significances of the stories that Troy tells regarding wrestling with death and meeting the devil?
- Jack Pattee
1. Oil Drums: They represent the poverty of Troy's family, and also signifies Troy's job of a garbage man .
2. Baseball Bat/ Tattered Ball: The baseball bat leans against the tree almost forgotten, and the ball is worn, tired, and used. This shows how a person's (Troy, and Cory) dreams sometimes are either pushed aside or destroyed by outside influences.
3. Fence (half finished): The Fence represents a promise to Bono (that Troy would finish it) and as Bono says it is used to keep people out, and also to keep people in. It represents a barrier, a social, political, and family one. The fence, even though even though it isn't finished is still a barrier regardless of whether it is finished or not.
Why does he state the jobs he does? : August Wilson states the jobs he does (butchers, seamstress, funeral homes, doctors,money lenders because they were mainly reserved for the "european immigrant" These jobs were "reserved" for europeans (Whites). Troy's life shows this as his job is that (originally) of a garbage man, where he has "sold the use of [his] muscles". However, he changes to a truck driver, and transcends that barrier.
Why does he talk about the Milwaukee Braves? They had Hank Aaron, a very good, famous black player. he is talked about in the book.pg 34. Troy also claims that he was better than him.
Why does Troy seek to embellish his stories so much? Is their an underlying reason behind making himself seem greater than he really is. If not why does he feel the need to be greater than what he is?
Scott E
Setting
-Porch in badly need of paint: The father is always on the porch and he is very narrow views out on the world and he does not realize the world is changing around him so he needs a new outlook or "a new paint job"
-The fence being partially finished is a task that can an only be finished when there is order, balance and a neutral understanding in the house.
-The Ball made of rags hanging from the tree is like a symbol of making the best of what you have and that baseball is very important to Tory.
The Play Questions:
Why don't they talk about everything that happened before were slaves?
Because it is not related to what the story is trying to say.
Why were the Milwaukee Braves mentioned?
They had the greatest black players but Troy is allows complaining about it because he did not get half of the playing the other white players did.
What does he mean about the "hot winds of change"?
The later civil rights movement...Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and others. 1957 was within the first two years of the movement.
Discussion Questions:
Find Similarities between Gabriel and "The Things They Carried".
Why Does Gabriel say he has seen God and that he has seen Gods book of Judgement?
The roof- Is a symbol of the hard work that troy has to deal with at his job. It also symbolizes the hard times that they are going tthrough and need to overcome.
The Fence- Represents there life and the non completed fence is how is life is its not completed yet. He wil have a hard time in life until he finished the fence because he will always have that pressure and baggage that comes along with the fence.
Baseball- symbolizes troy and cory's love for baseball. Also its a symbol of the hardships that the african americans have to deal with in the major leagues and how troy thinks that, that needs to change.
Why did he choose to write this book in the 1960's? Because in the 1960's were the beginning years of having african americans in the major leagues.
Why did the city/ Europeans reject them? Because they were black and different. Also because they didn't know anybetter then that.
Act 1Scene 1-2
Why does Troy not approve cory playing sports(football)? What happened to him when he was younger?
By: Andi Foss
Fence Building Materials: The fence materials are always there in the scene although they are not always mentioned. As the book goes on they make more progress on building the fence until it was made. The fence is something Troy can do however he wants to. It is a part of his life that isn't decided yet, and that's why he puts it off. He doesn't want to mess it up.
The House: The house is an example of history and although the house has been through a lot and it may not look nice but it is still sturdy. It represents the tough times Troy went through.
Baseball Bat: The bat is outside the house becasue although Troy nolonger plays the sport is still evident in his life. It is one of the reasons he won't let Cory play baseball, and shaped his life.
Act 1 question: What is the purpose of the stories about the devil Troy tells?
The Play Questions:
Why do they talk about the Braves?
How did the "industrial might of America" effect Troy's life?
Maddie Sankaran
Adam Jensen
Setting Symbolism
The fence in the back yard symbolizes the boundaries between black and white culture in society, as well as representing the fence between Troy and his wife. Furthermore, it represents other fences in Troys personal life (eg. the prison fence and the outfield fence in a game of baseball). The fence not only symbolizes these things, but there is a direct correlation between the fence and the progression of the plot and tensions between characters.
The ball made of rags symbolizes Troy's defunct baseball career. It is in tatters and nowhere near what a real baseball should be. The baseball also represents the lingering effect Troy's interrupted career has on the family.
The porch which is badly in need of paint represents Troy and Rose's relationship, which is also badly in need on amends.
Questions
How does this metaphor for the “destitute of Europe” work?
The passage contrasts the rights of white and black persons, saying, “It nourished itself and offered each man a partnership limited only by his talent, his guile, and his willingness and capacity for hard work. Do you think that today there is and equivalent correlation between a person's effort and talent and their success, regardless of race? Why or why not?
Discussion Question
What are the main differences between Rose and Troy's outlook on life, and how does that create issues with their relationship?
Three major symbols I got from reading the “Setting” are the fence, the bad paint job, and the pile of lumber. I think that the fact that there is only a part of the fence at the beginning shows that the family isn’t quiet held together yet. They’re not sure they want to stay. The pile of lumber is significant because it shows that Troy isn’t sure if he wants to stay home. This is shown in the play when he cheats on Rose. Lastly, I think the fact that the house has a bad paint job and that the paint is pealing off shows their economic status. They are obviously going through a rough time. Troy shows this when he is constantly weary about money.
3 questions I had after reading “The Play” are:
Why does it matter if the Milwaukee Braves won the world series?
What was Troy’s dream/aspiration he referred to?
Was life really “rich and flourishing”? because after reading the play it didn’t seem like it.
-Nina Kelly
Hey Patrick, It's Erik, sorry I didn't have this up for class today.
The 3 major symbols I found in the Setting were:
1. Baseball Bat - It stands for Troy's character. It represents his change from his life of crime/prison life to his clean life with a family. It also represents him as a person, after all, baseball is his biggest passion.
2. Unfinished fence - Represents the "gaps" in the characters relationships e.g. that of Troy and Lyons.
3. Brick house - The fact that it is mentioned that the house is made of brick, to me, seems to represent the idea that their lives are built from experiences, brick by brick.
Questions from "The Play":
1. The whole part about the Europeans moving and flourishing and the African Americans being rejected sounds like the history of the United States itself. What other parts of the play echo such things?
2. In the first paragraph, it says "[The city] nourished itself and offered each man a partnership limited only by his talent". So why is the whole next paragraph about the alienation and rejection the African American's recieved?
3 symbols
1. The fence, (like everyone else did), I said was a symbol, because it is the title of the book, and Rose sings a song in act 1 scene 2 which asks Jesus to be her fence. However, the ence ends up being a major dividing point in the book. It also relates to troy's love for baseball. in the setting, the fence is almost done, but not quite finished, like troy's career playing baseball.
2.The second symbol is the porch. It's describe to not really fit in, and be in need fo some work. This is a symbol of Troy's family life. He is more interested in the fence, his protection, how he protects his family, then he is in his actually family members, other than for sex from rose.
3 the last symbol is the "old fashioned icebox", which represents the living standard of Troy and his life. It also puts into context his feelings of oppression from the white man, and thereby his feelings of doubt/unbeknown ability to obtain things in his own life.
Questions:
The author starts by talking about "the destitute of Europe" coming into chicago/cities. Why does he speak of them, when they are never brought up again in the book...? Answer: To set a context for how problematic racial barriers can be, and to give a context for why there would be no work for troy other than garbage.
Why does the author speak of African Americans being rejected in the city, if the play is about an african american group in the city? Answer...He uses that as a way of setting the scene, for the play coming, which is by no means on of luxury.
discussion question:
When rose speaks of "playing the numbers" she says "Troy you know I don't play foolishly. I just play a nickel here and there." is there contradiction there? Was there meant to be? If so, what was the author's intent? What was he trying to portray?
Sorry Patrick for not having this in on time. All I can do is apologize.I blew it. I was irresponsible, and i am now responsible for the outcome. Needless to say, things haven't been so hot recently... Thanks
Christopher
Kelins: Hi Mr Barry!
1.
Symbols:
The incomplete fence represents the social at that time, just like the fence, the system of the social at that time is not complete. And it needs to be fixed.
The porch which badly in need of paint represents the relationship between troy and his family members, which needs to be "painted" too.
The small dirt yard represents that the master of the yard Troy is a garbage person, he's mean and dirty too, his soul is as dirty as the yard.
Questions:
What is the position of "American Dream" in the play?
Why did the author name the book "Fence" instead "yard", "garbage man" and so on?
2.
Discussion question:
How was Troy affected by his father according to scene1-2 of Act One? Find some specific examples.
Carly
Symbols:
1) The Unfinished Fence - Represents Troy and his unfinished, unsatisfied life, as well as an emotional barrier and his lack of accomplished goals.
2) Baseball Bat and Ball made of rags – Both represent a common theme, the bat representing the sport’s prevalence in his life and the ball made of rags represents Troy’s ability to relate baseball to anything.
3) Porch in need of paint job – The Maxson house represents their family, and the lack of work on the house, to me, represented the fact that it has been a long time since anyone has put effort into the relationships of their family.
Question:
1) Why does Troy have such a tie to baseball? Is there a reason for why it seems to be a staple in his life?
2) Why are the unpainted porch and unfinished fence impossible tasks?
Shaina
(Absent, finished this on Friday)
FENCE (left unpainted/finished)- I think the fence represents Troy's life. He has so many things left undone that he planned to do, or come back to (sleeping around with other women, always hanging out with "the wrong crowd", playing baseball) Once his life is complete, he has no more chances to do other things, much like finishing a fence; once the fence is built fully around your house, there's no easy way in or out. He feels trapped where he's at in his life, and still thinks he needs an escape route or an outlet.
MR. DEATH- Near the end, Troy comes back to fight Death again. He explains that he's not going to be easy to take down, but he's still willing to fight. I think Death symbolizes Troy's regrets. Whenever he lies, he'll remember a story about how he fought with Death. Also, after Raynell was born and he realized he made a mistake, he asked Mr. Death to "keep my family out of it, this is between you and me." He doesn't want his mistakes and failures affect his interactions with his family. He wants to put his regrets (Mr. Death) behind him and fight them in private.
THE DEVIL- I think "the devil" symbolizes "the white man" in some situations, but usually represents itself as a struggle in Troy's life. Troy is fighting a constant battle between good and evil, and when he tells his stories about "the devil" I think it reels him back in, and helps re-direct him on his path. Sometimes, he needs to check himself for how much he his acting like "the devil." He tries so hard to help others learn from his stories, but many times when he tries to teach about people being evil or cruel or even selfish, he'll instantly relate them to the devil. (talking to Cory: "you've got the devil in you") But what he doesn't realize is how much he should learn from his own stories. The devil symbolizes both his struggle with all things evil, and his personality/tendency to be this way.(his bad qualities)
MR. PATRICK HAS MY BOOK...I'M JUST GONNA WING IT. Discussion Q's...
1. What was Troy really trying to say when he said that "Cory never worked a day in his life"? It seems to me like Cory spends every day working; to please his day, to play football, to clean his room, at his job and to get good grades. Why is Troy never satisfied with his son?
2. Although Troy is a demanding and intimidating figure, how come he has never hit his wife? They all make references as to why he's a scary person (he's tough, been in jail, athletic, has a temper, fairly large) Does he care about his family, or does he care about getting caught?
Fence- represents barriers. In baseball represents success or not success. Troy was unsuccessful in baseball even though he hit tons of homeruns, it still just wasn't enough. It reflects race barriers. His fence on his house is his way of blocking everyone out.
Ball of rags- represents dreams. Troys past dreams of playing baseball, and cory's dream of playing football.
The devil-represents the white man, who also at the same time is troy's father. It represents oppression.
Why does troy treat his sons differently?
He is hard on cory because he wants cory's life to be good, and not like his, and he recognizes that Cory is very similar to himself.
What role does troy's job play?
His job shows how hard his life is, and the barriers that he has to get over to succeed.
that was tyler
Fence- A barrier. It keeps things out, but also keeps things in. In baseball, hitting it over the fence is a home run, hitting it inside the fence you can strike out.
Ball of Rags- A career that could have, maybe should have, been. The fact that it's made of rags is a symbol of poverty.
Old Time Icebox- The old time factor is another symbol of poverty. Bono was going to buy a new refrigerator for his wife if Troy finished the fence.
Why weren't "descendants of African slaves" offered same opportunities as european immigrants?
European immigrants are white and it's hard to tell which have been here for two weeks or two hundred years by looking at them.
What "new energies" won the war?
He is probably viewing to the thousands of black soldiers that fought and died in World War II but still weren't treated like americans.
-Nik
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