A fence provides a barrier intended to keep something in or possibly keep something else out. In the book Fences by August Wilson there are many barriers between people. Troy had an affair in order to push rose away, Rose wants to build a fence to keep in her loved ones, and Troy not finishing the fence shows his lack of commitment to his wife. The first barrier is Troy's act of disloyalty.
It is not exactly known why troy decided to have an affair with another woman but it was definitely a barrier created. He had been married to Rose for 18 years and then tells her that he got another woman pregnant. The consequence is that Rose and Troy do not talk for 6 months after the incident until she asks if he is coming home after work. All this time he has been going to Alberta's and he continues to say that he is going to Taylor's. Rose has built a fence, but not to keep people away.
Rose asks Troy to build a fence. She loves her family and wants to do all she can to keep them close to her. The fence for her is symbolic for her love for her family. Troy starts the fence but has a hard time finishing it. He has a lack of commitment to building that fence. .
Troy builds yet another barrier by not finishing the fence rose asked him to build. He has a hard to time staying true to Rose. He said that he wants to get away sometimes, and his not finishing the fence is symbolic to him not keeping his promise to stay true to her. The only time they show the fence finished is when Troy dies in the end.
In conclusion, the book shows many different barriers intended to push people away and keep people close. Troy's affair with Alberta is a barrier meant to feel some freedom from his home life. Rose's request to build a fence in the yard is meant to keep her family nearer to her. Troy's lack of commitment to building that fence shows his lack of commitment to their marriage. August Wilson stayed to true to the title of his book by showing all the barriers the fences made.