August Wilson & the Pittsburgh Cycle

"The Pittsburgh Cycle" is a series of ten plays written by

• Troy Maxson
• Denzel Washington
• Eugene O'Neill
• August Wilson

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This cycle of plays includes decades from

• 1900-1920
• 1900-1950
• 1900-1990
• 1900-2010

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The setting of "Fences" is

• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1950s
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1960s
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1970s
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1980s

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The overarching theme of Wilson's ten plays spanning his "Pittsburgh Cycle" is 

• the Harlem Renaissance
• the evolving African-American experience
• the Civil Rights Movement
• the Black Panthers movement

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"Fences" concerns the character of Troy Maxson who earns a living as a

• baseball player
• garbageman
• builder
• gambler

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Troy Maxson's fence metaphor is an image he creates for himself as a way to

• protect his home and family
• make his sons independent
• keep the Grim Reaper away
• show his work ethic

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Wilson stated that all of his plays are about a character who is "The Best Blues Singer in the World" and who

• builds fences to keep his family secure.
• strives to be someone important in life.
• struggles against white racism.
• is drowning in his own private ocean.

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August Wilson described Troy Maxson as a garbageman who struggles with the issues of

• racism, injustice, pride, anger, and marriage.
• loneliness, hostility, hope, joy, and forgiveness.
• love, honor, beauty, betrayal, and duty.
• ambition, dreams, honor, courage, and achievement.

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"Fences" is one of two Wilson plays that won

• the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
• the Oscar for Best Play.
• an Emmy for Best Play.
• the Nobel Prize for Drama.

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The genre of "Fences" is drama, which means that it is

• emotional and intense.
• tragic and sad.
• intended to be performed.
• full of deep feeling.

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