25 Important Fences Quotes By August Wilson
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'Fences' is a 1985 play by American playwright August Wilson and is set in the 1950s which was later transformed into a book and a movie.
'Fences' explore the ever changing African American experience and covers themes regarding race relations, among other topics. The 'Fences' appears complete only in the play’s final scene when Troy dies, and the family reunites.
The wholeness of the fence comes to mean the strength of the Maxson family and, ironically, the strength of the man who tore them apart and brings them together one more time, in death. Troy Maxson cheats on Rose in the play 'Fences'.
He fathers a baby with his mistress, Alberta, and has to tell Rose about the affair. The reason behind him cheating Rose was that he was a father to the baby with Alberta.
'Fences' is a portrayal of family life, of how its characters view their roles as individual family members, how each one of them defines their commitment or duty to each other and explores how betrayal can break the familial bond. The main themes of 'Fences' are race, barriers, responsibility, and love.
The movie starred renowned performers like Mykelti Williamson, Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Russell Hornsby, and Jovan Adepo. Here are some of the important 'Fences' quotes for students as well as literature enthusiasts.
If ou like this article, do check out these 'The Color Purple' quotes and Atticus Finch quotes.
Best 'Fences' Quotes
August Wilson seeks to point out the difference between races and culture in 'Fences' and his other plays. Here are some of the best 'Fences' quotes along with August Wilson quotes, Troy Maxson quotes, and 'Fences' movie quotes.
1. “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.”
- August Wilson, ‘Fences.’
2. “Your daddy wanted you to be everything he wasn't...and at the same time he tried to make you into everything he was. I don't know if he was right or wrong...but I do know he meant to do more good than he meant to do harm.”
- August Wilson, ‘Fences.’
3. “You are not the only one who’s got wants and needs. But I held on to you, Troy. I took all my feelings, my wants and needs, my dreams...and I buried them inside you...Cause you were my husband.”
- August Wilson, ‘Fences.’
4. “The whole time I was growing up...living in this house...Papa was like a shadow that followed you everywhere. It would wrap around you and lay there until you couldn’t tell which one was you anymore.”
- August Wilson, ‘Fences.’
5. “It’s my responsibility! You understand that? A man got to take care of his family. You live in my house...sleep you behind on my bedclothes...fill you belly up with my food...cause you my son. You my flesh and blood. Not cause I like you! Cause it’s my duty to take care of you!”
- Troy, ‘Fences.’
6. “Some people build fences to keep people out and other people build fences to keep people in. Rose wants to hold on to you all. She loves you.”
- August Wilson, ‘Fences.’
7. “Cory: How come you ain't never liked me?
Troy: Liked you? Who the hell say I got to like you?”
- August Wilson, ‘Fences.’
8. “You can’t visit the sins of the father upon the child. Motherless child’s got a hard time.”
- Rose, ‘Fences.’
9. “They’re old folks. My granddaddy used to pull his teeth with pliers. They ain’t had no dentists for colored folk back then.”
- Stephen Henderson, ‘Fences.’
10. “Hey, Pop, if you knew how to read, you’d be alright.”
- Lyons, ‘Fences.’
11. “Well, I’ve been standing with you! I gave eighteen years of my life to stand in the same spot as you!”
- Rose, ‘Fences.’
12. “That’s the way that goes.”
- August Wilson, ‘Fences.’
Famous Character Quotes From 'Fences'
Different characters portrayed different roles according to their character. Troy Maxson is the husband to Rose, father to Lyons, Cory, Raynell, and brother to Gabriel.
Troy Maxson is the tragic hero who has excessive pride in his breadwinning roles. Here are some of the quotes from different characters of the story including Mr Rand quotes, Bono quotes, Raynell quotes, and Rose Maxson quotes.
13. “I ain’t worried about death. I done seen him. I done wrestled with him.”
- Troy Maxson, ‘Fences.’
14. “Life doesn’t owe you nothing. You owe it to yourself.”
- Troy Maxson, ‘Fences.’
15. “I took all my feelings, my wants and needs, my dreams ... buried them inside you.”
- Rose, ‘Fences.’
16. “You got to take the crooked with the straights. That’s what Papa used to say.”
- Lyons, ‘Fences.’
17. “One time in my life I’ve got to say no.”
- Cory, ‘Fences.’
18. “You ready, Troy. I’m gonna tell St. Peter to open the gates.”
- Gabriel, ‘Fences.’
19. “I’ll take care of your baby for you. ’Cause, like you say, she is innocent.”
- Rose, ‘Fences.’
20. “But...you born with two strikes on you before you come to the plate. You got to guard it closely...always looking for the curve-ball on the inside corner. You can’t afford to let none get past you. You can’t afford a call strike. If you going down...you going down swinging.”
- Troy Maxson, ‘Fences.’
Incredible 'Fences' Book Quotes
'Fences' is one of most popular plays across the world. The quotes are widely used by fans. Read on for some of the best Rose 'Fences' quotes and other popular quotes from August Wilson that are worth your choice.
21. “He ought to go and get recruited in how to fix cars or something where he can make a living.”
- Troy Maxson, ‘Fences.’
22. “I just stay with my music because that’s the only way I can find to live in the world.”
- Lyons, ‘Fences.’
23. “The white man ain't gonna let you get nowhere with that football noway. You go on and get your book-learning so you can work yourself up in that A&P or learn how to fix cars or build houses or something, get you a trade. That way you have something ain't nobody can take away from you.”
- Troy Maxson, ‘Fences.’
24. “If you wanted to change me, you should’ve been there when I was growing up.”
- Lyons, ‘Fences.’
25. “You all line up at the door with your hands out. I give you the lint from my pockets. I give you my sweat and my blood. I ain’t got no tears. I spent them.”
- Troy Maxson, ‘Fences.’
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 'Fences' quotes, then why not take a look at these Tom Robinson quotes and Toni Morrison quotes.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in English and Drama, Master of Arts specializing in Performance: Design and Practice
Luca DemetriouBachelor of Arts specializing in English and Drama, Master of Arts specializing in Performance: Design and Practice
Experienced in writing and sub-editing, Luca holds a Bachelor's in English Literature and Drama from the University of Birmingham, where he served as the culture editor at Redbrick Paper. He is currently pursuing a Master's in Performance: Design and Practice at the University of the Arts in London, showcasing his passion for the arts, performance, and history. With a keen interest in traveling, Luca enjoys exploring new cultures and experiencing diverse perspectives.
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