Question 8 AUGUST WILSON: Fences
Comment on the significance of Lyons’ visits to Troy’s home.
This was not a well-answered question. It requires candidates to comment on the significance of Lyon’s visits to Troy’s home.
This question requires the following:
- The statement of the themes of racial discrimination in America of the 1950s and its impact on black Americans, particularly the Troy family.
- A character description Troy Maxson and Lyons.
- Instances and purpose of Lyons’ visit to Troy’s house: he visits mainly every pay day – Friday. He visits to “borrow money from Troy”. He visits to attend Troy’s funeral.
- Significance of Lyons’ visits to Troy’s home
- Lyons’ visits are significant as they dominate the conversation between Bono, Troy and Rose.
- His visits expose Troy’s parental neglect as Lyons indicts him for not being there while he was growing up.
- Through his visits, one effect of racial segregation is highlighted as Lyons is unable to secure any decent paying job for himself.
- His revelation of playing the local lottery shows how the socio-economic system has frustrated the blacks, making them place their hope on gambling as surety for the future.
- His visit during Troy’s funeral underscores the play’s focus on the theme of family.
Candidates’ performance in the question was average.