Sep 26 - How does Rose’s role as a wife and mother reflect societal expectations of women, particularly African American women, in the 1950s, and how does her sense of duty impact her relationship with Troy?

Response: Rose's role as a wife and mother gives the reader insight into what African American women in the 1950s were expected to do by society. At the beginning of Act One, Scene Two, Troy criticizes Rose and Lyon's hobby of playing the lottery, an activity that Rose has shown a lot of interest and pleasure in. One thing to notice is that in Act One, Scene One, Troy goes on about his battle with the Devil and his encounter with death, which Rose doesn't criticize him for, only disagrees with his statement. By comparing these two events, the reader can put together that the societal expectations of women in the 1950s were to remain modest and loyal towards their husbands, preferably without having any hobbies of their own. This play illustrates the unfair issues of marriages in the 1950s. The husband can do whatever he wants on his own time, whether it's good or bad, but god forbid the wife has a hobby she likes to take part in.

Summary: Today, we discussed negative, neutral, and positive uses of certain words seen in Fences, and we finished Act One, Scene Two of Fences.

Reflection: I feel like the unfair expectations that Rose has to uphold for her husband are going to have some consequences for Troy.