Social Problems in Plays

Paper Summary:

This paper describes the social problems presented in both Ibsen's and Wilson's plays and looks at the message each author is making about the problem. The paper points out that, in each play, there is a character who is trying to overcome a social issue that is holding them back. The paper suggests that in "A Doll's House" the social problem is the minority role that women have in society, and in "Fences," the social problem is the minority role that people of color have in society.

From the Paper:

"In "Fences" the social problem is the minority role that people of color have in society. This is told through the story of the father Troy, and the son Cory. The play shows how Troy experienced racism in his younger years, when he had dreams of being a great baseball player. Troy's dreams came to end when the major leagues put a ban on black athletes. A generation later, the ban has lifted as society has changed, and Cory is now a gifted football player. Like his father, Cory has dreams of a successful sporting career. The conflict occurs as Troy prevents Cory from achieving his dreams because he feels he will suffer from the same racism and end up disappointed. Troy tells his son that chasing a football career will not get him anywhere and tells him to learn something that "can't nobody take away" (Wilson 35). This shows that Troy's actions are based on his bad experience and how society was in the past. Troy is not able to see past his own experiences and see that society has changed now. Because of his inability to let go of the past, he pushes his son away."

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