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Analysis Study Research Paper | Literature | Kenya | Volume 12 Issue 4, April 2023 | Rating: 4.9 / 10

Research Analyzing Family Dynamics and Conflicts in August Wilson's "Fences"

Samson Odhiambo Otieno

Abstract: This paper analyzes family dynamics and conflicts in August Wilson's play, Fences. Family dynamics refer to the patterns that guide how family members interact. They are usually defined by how family members communicate and relate with each other, their roles within the family, and how they manage conflicts in the family. On the other hand, conflicts refer to disagreements or arguments that usually go on for a long time. Therefore, family conflicts are the arguments or disagreements that take place in a family. All families are bound to experience family dynamics and conflicts. Because of this, August Wilson wrote Fences to explain these conflicts and dynamics through a literary lens and how they affect real - life familial bonds. Fences is a play by August Wilson on a set - up portraying the blooming black rights movements between 1954 and 1968. Fences was written in 1985, but it depicted the 1950s lifestyle. Guided by postcolonial theory, Wilson has used the play Fences to bring to light various themes like racism, manhood and masculinity, marriage and faithfulness, and practicality and idealism through his characters and their various life experiences. The characters portray life in the black neighborhood during the Black Urban Realism literary period between 1954 and 1968. Wilson uses the fence throughout his play to symbolize the conflicting desires of Troy Maxson's family members and the dynamics between them. Therefore, examining Wilson's Fences through Troy's family relationships will illustrate the reasons for the conflicts and differences. This study will help the writer explain how August Wilson has used the family unit to explore broader themes of race, class, and gender and to identify the underlying factors that shape family dynamics and perpetuate or resolve conflicts within the Maxson family through a qualitative analysis of the dialogue in Fences.

Keywords: Family dynamics, Conflicts, Family Units. Racism, Dialogues, Religion, Familial Relationships, Qualitative Analysis, Themes of Class and Gender

Edition: Volume 12 Issue 4, April 2023,

Pages: 30 - 37