| August Wilson |
Fences
A Drama
By August Wilson
 |
| Click to Enter the Site |
Video - "August Wilson: A World of Ideas"
SCENES from the Drama
 |
| James Earl Jones |
 |
| Denzel Washington |
1. August Wilson, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fences, enumerated a number of insights regarding race in his interview with Bill Moyer. From the discussion over his own life experiences and the cultural context by which he frames his art, viewers were introduced to how he views the African American community and how others perceive that same community. After contemplating the interview, create a response about what stood out to you about Wilson's perspective on race. Explain why it was impactful as well, possibly considering other texts we have explored thus far or your own life experiences. You may also connect your post to the background articles regarding the Negro Leagues and Baseball as a metaphor in Fences; however, the majority of the post should connect with the specifics of the interview. Watch it again if necessary. The link is posted above.
2. As part of our historical background, you read "Negro League History 101" and "Baseball as History and Myth in August Wilson's: Fences." Now your job is to construct a sophisticated paragraph of summary/connection which is no fewer than 10 sophisticated sentences (need strong topic sentence and culminating idea). Your discussion should also include a minimum of 4 small quoted portions to back up your assertions, integrating portions of both articles into your response. In addition, you should tie in textual evidence from Act I of the drama to correspond to the background. Due to the analytical and structural nature of this assignment, it is worth 15 points and must be completed by the end of the period and turned in on Classroom.
3. August Wilson's drama Fences brought to light the pain of dreams deferred. Focusing on Troy Maxson, the play spotlights how his dreams of playing Major League Baseball were crushed under the weight of segregation. Unfortunately, due to this loss, as well as other racial, economic, and familial factors, Troy watches as his life crumbles around him. According to Wilson himself, "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." The problem, however, is that Troy's family and friends, due to his anger, his pain, and his indiscretions, are forced to deal with the "fences" Troy has built around himself, finding forgiveness difficult.
2. As part of our historical background, you read "Negro League History 101" and "Baseball as History and Myth in August Wilson's: Fences." Now your job is to construct a sophisticated paragraph of summary/connection which is no fewer than 10 sophisticated sentences (need strong topic sentence and culminating idea). Your discussion should also include a minimum of 4 small quoted portions to back up your assertions, integrating portions of both articles into your response. In addition, you should tie in textual evidence from Act I of the drama to correspond to the background. Due to the analytical and structural nature of this assignment, it is worth 15 points and must be completed by the end of the period and turned in on Classroom.
3. August Wilson's drama Fences brought to light the pain of dreams deferred. Focusing on Troy Maxson, the play spotlights how his dreams of playing Major League Baseball were crushed under the weight of segregation. Unfortunately, due to this loss, as well as other racial, economic, and familial factors, Troy watches as his life crumbles around him. According to Wilson himself, "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." The problem, however, is that Troy's family and friends, due to his anger, his pain, and his indiscretions, are forced to deal with the "fences" Troy has built around himself, finding forgiveness difficult.
- Your job, therefore, is to assume the identity of a character from the play. Write a letter to Troy that illuminates your feelings regarding this fallen player who finally, while playing with Death, strikes out.
- Consider in your letter the following questions which the introduction of the play asks:
- How is this reformed criminal perceived?
- What should be learned from him?
- What accepted?
- What passed on?
- Is his life to be discarded or honored?
- Compose your letter in a GoogleDoc and share it with me. (20 points)
- It should be detailed and thoughtful, truly evoking the emotion of your chosen character.
- Consider the dialect of the character, too, as you write. It should SOUND like it came from them - Not from a current college student.
- Responses must be a full page minimum, double spaced.
- Do NOT use a full header. Only your name in the upper left corner.
No comments:
Post a Comment