What can the title of Fences tell us about the intent, purpose and meaning of the play?

In the case of this play, the title indicates the
protagonist's struggle. Over the course of the play, Troy is challenged to exceed,
supersede or defeat his limitations in a number of ways. The fences of the title can be
understood to represent these limitations. 

He is
challenged by the prospect of death and tells stories that hint at Troy's need to change
his own nature and his inevitable inability to face reality. We see this as Troy assures
himself and others that he has faced death and defeated death in a wrestling
match.

Later, Troy depicts death as a baseball pitcher. In
Troy's vision, he is the batter and he has a real chance to knock the ball out of the
park, over the metaphorical fence, and in this way take power of
nature. 

Further examples of the limitations that Troy
faces can be seen in his emotional struggles in the
play.

Unable
to open up to those that he loves, Troy keeps much of his emotion inside, building
imaginary fences between himself and his family and
friends.

Troy has also
experienced practical limitations in his life relating, being imprisoned for fifteen
years, being kept out of major league baseball, and being unable (for a time) to attain
a promotion at work. Some of these limitations are real and race related and some are
matters of perception, yet these are equally real for
Troy. 

The fences in the title also have a resonance, both
literal and metaphorical, with Troy's baseball career. Troy is an "all or nothing"
person, largely incapable of compromise. He cannot soften himself and cannot yield to
those he cares for. The mentality implied here is the same as that which characterized
his style of play in baseball. 

readability="6">

 His successes are hits over the fence, but his
failures are strike-outs.