Fences
Troy Maxson - ANSThe protagonist of Fences, a fifty-three year-old, African American man who
works for the sanitation department, lifting garbage into trucks. Troy is also a former baseball
star in the Negro Leagues. Troy's athletic ability diminished before the Major Leagues accepted
blacks. Hard-working, strong and prone to telling compelling stories. Troy is a tragic-hero who
has excessive pride for his bread winning role. Troy's years of hard-work for only meager
progress depress him. Troy often fails to provide the love and support that would mean the most
to his loved ones
Cory Maxson - ANSThe teenage son of Troy and Rose Maxson. A senior in high school, Cory
gets good grades and college recruiters are coming to see him play football. An ambitious
young man who has the talent and determination to realize his dreams, Cory comes of age
during the course of the play when he challenges and confronts Troy and leaves home. Cory
later joins the marines
Rose Maxson - ANSTroy's wife and mother of his second child, Cory. Rose is a forty-three
year-old housewife who volunteers at her church regularly and loves her family. Unlike Troy,
Rose is a realist, not a romantic longing for the by- gone days of yore. She has high hopes for
her son, Cory and sides with him in his wish to play football. Rose's acceptance of Troy's
illegitimate daughter, Raynell, as her own child, exemplifies her compassion
What does the fence represent? - ANSRose's desire to keep her loved-ones close to her love
Gabe Maxson - ANSTroy's brother. Gabriel was a soldier in the Second World War, during which
he received a head injury that required a metal plate to be surgically implanted into his head.
Because of the physical damage and his service, Gabriel receives checks from the government
that Troy used in part to buy the Maxson's home where the play takes place. Believes he is the
Archangel Gabriel
Bono - ANSTroy's best friend of over thirty years. Bono and Troy met in jail, where Troy learned
to play baseball. Troy is a role model to Bono. He is married to a woman named Lucille, who is
friends with Rose. Bono is a devoted husband and friend
Lyons Maxson - ANSTroy's son, fathered before Troy's time in jail with a woman Troy met
before Troy became a baseball player and before he met Rose. Lyons is an ambitious and
talented jazz musician
Raynell Maxson - ANSTroy's illegitimate child, mothered by Alberta, his lover
Alberta - ANSTroy's lover from Tallahassee and Raynell's mother. Alberta dies while giving birth
Troy Maxson - ANSThe protagonist of Fences, a fifty-three year-old, African American man who
works for the sanitation department, lifting garbage into trucks. Troy is also a former baseball
star in the Negro Leagues. Troy's athletic ability diminished before the Major Leagues accepted
blacks. Hard-working, strong and prone to telling compelling stories. Troy is a tragic-hero who
has excessive pride for his bread winning role. Troy's years of hard-work for only meager
progress depress him. Troy often fails to provide the love and support that would mean the most
to his loved ones
Cory Maxson - ANSThe teenage son of Troy and Rose Maxson. A senior in high school, Cory
gets good grades and college recruiters are coming to see him play football. An ambitious
young man who has the talent and determination to realize his dreams, Cory comes of age
during the course of the play when he challenges and confronts Troy and leaves home. Cory
later joins the marines
Rose Maxson - ANSTroy's wife and mother of his second child, Cory. Rose is a forty-three
year-old housewife who volunteers at her church regularly and loves her family. Unlike Troy,
Rose is a realist, not a romantic longing for the by- gone days of yore. She has high hopes for
her son, Cory and sides with him in his wish to play football. Rose's acceptance of Troy's
illegitimate daughter, Raynell, as her own child, exemplifies her compassion
What does the fence represent? - ANSRose's desire to keep her loved-ones close to her love
Gabe Maxson - ANSTroy's brother. Gabriel was a soldier in the Second World War, during which
he received a head injury that required a metal plate to be surgically implanted into his head.
Because of the physical damage and his service, Gabriel receives checks from the government
that Troy used in part to buy the Maxson's home where the play takes place. Believes he is the
Archangel Gabriel
Bono - ANSTroy's best friend of over thirty years. Bono and Troy met in jail, where Troy learned
to play baseball. Troy is a role model to Bono. He is married to a woman named Lucille, who is
friends with Rose. Bono is a devoted husband and friend
Lyons Maxson - ANSTroy's son, fathered before Troy's time in jail with a woman Troy met
before Troy became a baseball player and before he met Rose. Lyons is an ambitious and
talented jazz musician
Raynell Maxson - ANSTroy's illegitimate child, mothered by Alberta, his lover
Alberta - ANSTroy's lover from Tallahassee and Raynell's mother. Alberta dies while giving birth
