Review

      In his review of Fences by August Wilson, Jakarta Alchura contends "They sold the use of their muscles and bodies. They cleaned houses and washed clothes, they shined shoes and, in quiet desperation and vengeful pride, they stole and lived in pursuit of their dreams. That they could breathe free, finally, and stand to meet life with the force of dignity and whatever eloquence the heart could call upon.."  Specifically, Jakarta argues that the book accurately shows the "resentment and bitterness" of the black man toward the whites. He uses this quote to show how Troy feels about the matter, "The white man aint' gonna let him get nowhere with that football" (Fences). This shows that Troy believes that the times haven't changed since he played baseball. Troy thinks that Cory won't go far with his football career because the white man won't give him any chances to succeed, but in reality times have changed and blacks are more widely accepted into athletics.  
      I agree that he shows how the black man resents the whites very well. In my view, the author makes it clear that Troy does not trust the white man and does not want his son cory making the same mistake he made when he was younger. Even though the times have changed and there is equality, unlike when Troy was young.  Rose makes this clear when she tells Troy, "Times have changed from when you was young, Troy. People change. The world's changing around you and you can't even see it." (40) It shows that Troy's to caught up in the past and Rose is trying to get him to realize that Cory's time has different lifestyles. Some readers might disagree on the grounds that times have not changed. Yet I would argue that times have changed. Overall, I believe that there are big differences to show for the changes.

Mac and Claire