Fences: Act 2

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. 

Let's take the first 10-15 minutes of today's class please take a look at these scenes from Fences. In the first clip, we'll see two different versions played first by James Earl Jones and then by Denzel Washington. Compare/contrast the two versions. Note the reaction by the audience as well as the performance.

• Act One, Scene Three
• Act Two, Scene One
• Fighting Death (Act One) & Mr. Death & the fence (Act Two)

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.

3. Let's continue our class reading of the play. Please follow along as we read Act Two.

4. HOMEWORK: working alone:

• Finish reading the play, if we have not finished in class.
• 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 index card. (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, if you'd prefer.) Feel free to be creative with this depiction. 
• You should be able to explain your choices to others in the class. 
• On the other side as the "picture" of your character, please describe the character's characterization (see notes above for details). Indicate lines and words (with page #'s) from the play's text that helps describe and characterize the character you chose.
• Finally, choose one of the following:
• write an ode in the voice of a character from Fences. What would Troy, for example, praise about his son? What would Gabriel praise about his trumpet? What would Rose praise about Lyons or Troy?
• write an ode in your own voice for one of the characters in this play, or praise August Wilson's writing. 

HOMEWORK: See above. Homework is due Friday, January 16.