Exposing the Boundaries in FencesFences is a play about the boundaries that hold people back and the trials and tribulations of those who attempt or wish to cross them. The characters are African Americans from before the civil rights movement, living in an industrial city. The main character, Troy Manxson, is a talented baseball player who never got the chance to let his talent shine, with racial restrictions and his time in prison being the main obstacles that held him back. He now works hard and loves his family. However, he tends to exaggerate and has his faults, including a wandering eye when dealing with women. His wife, Rose, is younger than him and loyal, but she may not have been aware of all his faults when she married him. At the start of the play, Troy has a son from a previous marriage, Lyons, and a son with Rose, Cory. Also appearing are Bono, Troy's friend, and Gabriel, his brother. All characters are “fenced” by various barriers. Troy is in a job where African Americans can get the lowest and most difficult tasks. On the domestic front, he has responsibilities towards his family. Rose chose life with Troy as an alternative to "a succession of violent men and their babies, a life of partying, or the Church." Troy's son Lyons is supposed to be a musician but isn't going anywhere. Cory has potential but his dream of playing college football is extinguished by Troy who is both protective and jealous. The characters must deal with the difficulties of everyday life, racial discrimination, strained relationships with each other and the feeling that this is their whole life: a somehow confined space with no way out; fence. Troy's brother Gabriel, although minor, is important to the play for many reasons. Most importantly, even though Gabriel may be surrounded by the tallest and most impassable fence, he is the only one unaware of it; he is not limited, at least not in his mind. Gabriel is seven years younger than Troy. They both came from a large family with a frustrated and abusive father. Gabe is the only family Troy talks to now. Wounded during World War II, Gabriel had part of his head blown off. He now has a metal plate and is confused and somewhat delusional..