The play is basically focused on Troy, the central character. He is a 53 years old head of the family. He has to struggle hard to provide for his family.
The location has not been made clear in the play, but it can be assumed that the place is Pittsburgh because several famous institutions are alluded to.
Troy used to be a famous baseball player in his youth. He had been imprisoned for an accidental murder which he was said to have committed ruing a robbery. He continued to practice baseball in the prison.
In those days, the black players were not paid as much money as the white players were paid, and the color barrier had not yet been shattered in Major League Baseball. As a result, Troy never got an opportunity to earn good amount of money for his future. However, there is a line in the book that points to his age which was a barrier stronger than the color of his skin. It was perhaps his age that stopped him from becoming a professional baseball player.
At present, Troy is a driver. He leads a respectable life of trash collector. It is obvious that he has crossed the race barrier. He not just a common black barrel lifter; he drives the trash truck.
Rose, his wife, and Cory, his son, live with him. When the play opens, Cory happens to be living with his father and mother in the same house.
Gabriel, Troy’s younger brother, also lives with them. He happens to be an ex-soldier. He had suffered a head injury in the war that caused deep psychological damage.
It transpires that Troy has another son named Lyons from his previous marriage. Lyons lives outside the home.
Troy’s best friend is Bono. It transpires that Troy had taken Gabriel’s money which he had received as a compensation for his head injury. With that money, Troy bought the house they currently live in.
It transpires that a short time before the opening of the play, Gabriel rented a room somewhere else, but it is still in the neighborhood.
“Fences” begins on payday. Since they have money, both Troy and Bono are drinking and talking. Troy’s speech discloses his character. He tells Bono how he went up to their boss, Mr. Rand, and asked the boss why they did not allow a black man to drive garbage trucks. It transpires that Troy works as a garbage man.
While they happen to be conversing, Troy’s wife Rose and his son Lyons join them. Lyons is a musician. It is revealed that he has come to Troy to borrow some money. He is sure that he will get the money. He promises to pray Troy back because his girlfriend Bonnie has just got a job.
At first, Troy does not agree to give the money and he gives his son a hard time, but after a while he lends ten dollars to Lyons. He gives the money only after Rose persuades him to do so.
As the play reaches the middle part, it transpires that Troy is having an affair with a woman named Alberta. She never appears in the play. It is revealed that she is pregnant.
Cory informs Rose and Troy that there is an opportunity for a college football scholarship. Troy does not want his son to play football. He is scared of racial discrimination that Troy had experienced during his youth, while playing professional baseball in his days.
Cory begins to argue with his father, but Troy is adamant and he does not agree. He forces his son to go to his room.
Later on, it is revealed that Troy informed Cory’s coach that his son does not play football anymore.
When Cory comes to know about it, he has a fight with Troy. It is a severe physical fight. Troy kicks Cory out of his house.
Troy receives a phone call informing him about Alberta’s pregnancy. It transpires that she has died during childbirth.
When Rose comes to know about it, she agrees to adopt Alberta’s baby girl. She agrees to take care of the baby as her own, though she has already decided that she is no longer Troy’s woman.
Seven years pass. It transpires that Troy has died.
In the final act of the play, we find Raynell, Alberta’s daughter, as a seven-year old happy girl. Cory comes back home from his military training. He is not ready to attend his father’s funeral because he still carries the resentment. However, Rose, his mother, convinces him that he must pay respects to his father. She tells him that his father was a hard headed man and rarely showed his affections, but he really loved his son.
The real meaning of the title of the play is revealed in the final act. It transpires that Bono has bought a refrigerator for his wife as he had promised Troy that he would do if he finished building it. Now Bono has completed the fence.
It transpires that Rose also wanted to build the fence and she had forced Troy to start building the fence. She wanted to secure the things which belonged to her. She wanted the things which belonged inside in and those which belonged outside stay out. The play ends at this point.