"Fences" by August Wilson. A reflective essay on conflict, family, and family therapy

Literature Review from the year 2014 in the subject Social Pedagogy / Social Work, grade: A, City University of New York Hunter College, course: SSW 794, language: English, abstract: Fences, by August Wilson, is a story enmeshed with conflict surrounding an African American family who lives in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in the year 1957.

The center of the conflict seems to be the main character and head of household, Troy Maxson. Troy¿s conflicts arise with his closest friend Bono, his son Lyons (from a previous relationship), his wife Rose and their son Cory. Each conflict that arises in the story lends a hand to the structure of the Maxson family and the inner/external conflicts that each character plays out.

This essay surveys the plot and centers on the character of Troy, his relationship to others, while exploring reasins for his actions that are seen to be rooted in the character's own childhood and family background.