Literature

Characterization in Fences by August Wilson

Characterization is the process by which a writer reveals the personality of a character. Characterization

is revealed through direct characterization and indirect characterization.

Direct Characterization tells the audience specific details about a character (physical appearance and

personality).

For example, Fences opens by providing a first glimpse of Troy, the main character in Fences. Troy is

introduced as “fifty-three years old, a large man with thick, heavy hands; it is this largeness that he

strives to fill out and make accommodation with. Together with his blackness, his largeness informs his

sensibilities and the choices he has made in his life.”

Although these words are not part of the action of the play, they are first impressions we get of the

protagonist, Troy, and are important to reflect on as we try to understand his character. What does

Wilson mean when he suggests Troy “strives to fill out and make accommodation with” his largeness?

Are we just discussing physical largeness or is there more involved? Also, we are told that Troy’s

largeness and blackness “informs his sensibilities and the choices he has made in his life.” How do race

and stature play a role in the choices Troy makes and the direction of his life?

Indirect Characterization shows things about a character that reveal his or her personality. There are

several different methods of indirect characterization:

• Speech—What does the character say? How does the character speak? Timing—when a

character says something as well may indicate something about a character.

• Thoughts—What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings?

• Effect on others towards the character—What is revealed through the character’s effect on

other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? What

comments do other characters make to and about the character?

• Actions—What does the character do? How does the character behave?

• Looks—What does the character look like? How does the character dress? (Although this is

directly told about Troy at the beginning of the story, it indirectly informs us about his character

as well—his “largeness,” that we must piece together.

• Symbols--Objects and places associated with the character.

Some additional questions to consider about Character

Who is the protagonist? Why and how so? Which other characters, are the main or major characters?

Which are minor characters?

What are the protagonist’s most distinct traits, and what is most distinctive about his or her outlook and

values? What motivates the character? What lines or stage directions reveal something important about

the character?

Does the protagonist’s character develop over the course of the play or only the way others see him?

What are the roles of other characters? Which of the characters, or which aspects of the characters,

does the play encourage us to sympathize with or to admire? to view negatively?