A discussion of a father-son relationshipThe New York Times considers August Wilson "the black poet of black America"; Wilson brings life, meaning and complexity to a human culture with brilliance and intelligence. Ignorance can be considered the father of discrimination, and through his work, Wilson breaks down the walls of ignorance in an effort to end discrimination. Additionally, Wilson draws a connection between African Americans and their cultural identity. The play Fences depicts black life during the 1950s and is the sixth play in a cycle of ten plays. The 1950s reflect a period of transition where African Americans were beginning to stand up and fight against racism. August Wilson integrates the social and cultural factors present in the 1950s in his play Fences. Additionally, many of the problems faced by the characters in Fences are still relevant today, classifying Fences as a true modern drama. The father-son relationship is a central conflict in the play Fences. Throughout the play, we are immersed in this complex relationship between Troy and his two sons, Cory and Lyon. Additionally, we see a slight picture of Troy and his father's relationship through Troy's lens. Troy is overcome with bitterness and he is convinced that his color makes him impotent. This mentality of helplessness carries over into the life of Troy's youngest son, Cory. Furthermore, it is obvious that this mentality was passed on to him by Troy's father. The sociocultural problems of the 1950s further reinforce the problems depicted in the play. Troy and Lyon's relationship differs slightly from that of Troy and Cory; however, it is obvious that like Troy and Cory, Lyon eventually finds themselves "fenced in" by ...... middle of paper ...... as if they could never be good enough. In baseball terms, fences refer to the outfield where baseball players aim to hit; Ironically, Troy never “strikes.” He remains captive to the internal struggles he faces, reinforced by the outside world. The analysis of father-son relationships within Fences reveals an interesting parallel linked to the generation gap. Troy doesn't understand that the world is changing around him; he is stuck in the past, locked in his own experiences. Furthermore, he imposes his connotation of life on his sons, which harms their growth as individuals. Ultimately, Cory and Lyon are negatively affected by their father, just as Troy was affected by his father; thus, August Wilson sculpts this viscous cycle transmitted from generation to generation, acting as a curse on the Maxson family from which one cannot escape..