Fences & Characterization

For the first 10-15 minutes of today's class please take a look at these scenes from Fences (please use headphones if you have them):

• Act One, Scene Three
• Fighting Death
• I Don't Want Him To Be Like Me

1. With a partner, compare what you're seeing with the image you had of the play from reading the script. What are some differences you note? Discuss these differences. Talk to each other please.
2. How do plays like Fences increase the dramatic tension of a situation? What are some things you learned about writing plays from watching these clips? Please discuss, then write brief comments on the index card provided to you in class. You and your partner may turn in one card for both of you.

• Next, working alone, choose one of the characters in the play Fences: Troy, Bono, Rose, Gabriel, Cory, Raynell, or Lyons.
• Draw a character sketch of that character on a 8.5 x 11 sized paper. (You may also find an appropriate picture on-line, if you'd like.) 
• Print the picture out, cut the picture out, and paste on the paper; or draw your own interpretation of your chosen character. (You may decide to draw a symbol of that character instead.) Feel free to be creative with this depiction. 
• You should be able to explain your choices to others in the class. 
• On the same side as the "picture" of your character, please describe the character's characterization (see below for details). Indicate lines and words (with page #'s) from the play's text that helps describe and characterize the character you chose.

When an author develops a character, he/she relies on characterization. Characterization is based on four distinct things:

• What a character says or thinks about him/herself
• What another character says or thinks about the character
• What the character does (the actions the character does and the choices he/she makes)
• The details or physical description the author or narrator gives us. In this case, what is revealed in the STAGE DIRECTIONS of the play script. 

Please turn in your portrait by the end of class for participation credit.

We are a little behind in our class schedule. Please complete reading the play on your own if you have not yet done so, and prepare for the quiz next class.

HOMEWORK: Study for your quiz on Fences. There will be a quiz next class. You should know the basic plot, characters, characterization, key symbols, and structure of the play. If you didn't complete your characterization portrait project, please complete it and turn in by next class late.