•+Blues+lyrics+-+Jimmy



In //Fences// by August Wilson, the characters Troy, Rose, Gabriel, Raynell, and Cory are seen singing the blues. The blues are a form of music popularized by the African-American community in which people could sing of their personal woes in a harsh reality. Although the blues may just seem like a hobby or something of leisure, by taking a deeper look we can see that they actually have a fundamental role within the play. Through the means of blues, Wilson creates a sense of individuality for each character, shows how the generations are connected, and even influences how the book is structured. Thus it can be seen that the blues are a core aspect of the play that allows readers to gain a better understanding.

Outline: **1. By having characters each represent a different type of blues, Wilson further magnifies aspects of their personalities.**

Jesus, I want you to protect me as I travel On my way. Jesus, be a fence all around me every day." (I.ii.p.21)**
 * Rose (sings): "Jesus, be a fence all around me every day

Example of Gospel Music: media type="youtube" key="n37QyLWcTk4" height="344" width="425"

As one can see, Rose is singing of Jesus indicating that she is singing gospel music, a form of the blues usually associated with religion. By doing this, Wilson portrays Rose to be a character of strong faith in god as well as someone aiming to bring the family closer together. Rose also sings of Fences, and as mentioned in the play Fences can be used to keep people in or keep people out. In this case, Rose wants "Jesus" to be a fence around her showing how she values family bonds.

Had an old dog his name was Blue You know Blue was mighty true You know Blue as a good old dog Blue trees a possum in a hollow log You know from that he was a good old dog" (II.iii.p.82)**
 * Troy (sings): "Hear it ring! Hear it ring!

example of old blues: media type="youtube" key="O8hqGu-leFc" height="344" width="425" Unlike Rose, Troy sings traditional blues with rather crude and poorly structured lyrics. The irregular rhyme pattern and varying sentence lengths shows a lack of education that reflects Troy's thoughtlessness in regard to making decisions. Moreover, the boorish nature of the lyrics, such as the sexual reference of "blue treeing a possum in a hollow log", shows how Troy is unable to express his emotions and instead refers to jokes as to cover them up.


 * 2. Fences is structured somewhat like a blues song, the blues usually consist of repeated twelve bar phrases in which the same notes are played but vary in terms of dynamics or tone. **


 * First time: Bono: "I ain't paying him no mind, Rose. That ain't nothing but gin-talk. Go on, Troy. I'll see you Monday." (I.i.pg.20)

Second time: Bono: "Rose'll keep you straight. You get off the track, she'll straighten you up." (I.iv)

Third time: Troy: "What you stop by and see me for? You ain't stopped by in a month of Sundays. Hell, I must owe you money or something." (IV.iv.p.82)**

Furthermore, a blues song usually stays in one key, much like how the setting of the book remains in the yard. However, like the blues, characters each have their own "melody" or "rhythm" that Wilson creates further contributing to the tone of the play. Through the means of repeated events and individuality of characters Wilson successfully shows a change in tone. Take for example, Troy's payday which occurs three times within the play. In the first one, Troy and Bono come home from work jeering and joking around, creating a casual atmosphere. The next payday, Troy and Bono are seen celebrating Troy's discrimination case, however Bono begins concerning himself with Troy's affair with Alberta adding a touch of seriousness to the scene. The final time this happens, Troy comes home alone without Bono or his family to comfort him and decides to drink and sing instead. As a result the casuality of the beginning of the play is completely lost. By repeating scenes but manipulating each one in a different way Wilson keeps the play in what he calls a "blues aesthetic".

**3. Towards the end of the book, with Troy's oncoming funeral, Wilson uses the blues to show Troy's everlasting effect on his surrounding characters.**

Now he's treeing possums in the Promised Land I'm gonna tell you this to let you know Blue's gone where the good dogs go" (II.v.p.99)** The relations between Troy and Cory are rather strained, however since Cory is seen singing his song at the end we can see how Troy holds an everlasting effect on his characters. In the play, Troy is portrayed as a big man who's hardheadedness and stubborn personality impacts the lives of those around him. Cory, the character probably most effected eventually cuts off his ties with Troy and believes he no longer has any relation with him. However, since Cory did not ever actually confront Troy about his emotions Troy still has a hold on him, represented by this song. In conclusion, August Wilson uses the blues to connect generations together and keep the family's roots and history alive.
 * Both Raynell and Cory: "Blue laid down and died like a man