Fences - Social Issues in 1950s Pittsburgh
English
GCSE
9 questions
~18 mins
1 views0 downloads
About This Worksheet
A worksheet exploring the social issues depicted in Fences set in 1950s Pittsburgh, with a focus on creative writing tasks.
Topics covered:
Worksheet Preview
Full preview • 9 questions
Fences - Social Issues in 1950s Pittsburgh
Subject: EnglishGrade: GCSE
Name:
Date:
TeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizz
Untitled Worksheet
Grade GCSE
A
Scene Summary and Context
Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, the play Fences centres on Troy Maxson, a former baseball player turned garbage collector, grappling with racial discrimination, economic hardship, and familial responsibilities. The narrative explores how societal barriers impact individual aspirations and relationships within a Black American community facing segregation and prejudice. The scene reflects the tension between personal ambition and societal limitations, highlighting issues of race, social mobility, and generational conflict. Key phrases such as 'the fence' symbolise barriers—both physical and emotional—that characters struggle to overcome. The play's portrayal of working-class life is marked by resilience amid systemic adversity, illustrating the ongoing fight for dignity and equality within a racially divided society.
1.
Identify and explain the significance of the phrase 'the fence' as used in the context of the play.
[2 marks]2.
Describe how racial discrimination is depicted in the play’s setting and character interactions.
[3 marks]3.
What social issues are confronted by Troy Maxson, and how do they influence his character development?
[4 marks]4.
Analyse how the characterisation of Troy reflects broader societal barriers faced by African Americans in the 1950s.
[8 marks]5.
Identify a metaphor used in the play and discuss its significance in illustrating social issues.
[3 marks]6.
How does the dialogue between Troy and his son reflect tensions related to social mobility?
[3 marks]7.
Select the correct statement: Which of the following best describes the central theme of the play?
Aa) Family loyalty
Bb) Social barriers and racial discrimination
Cc) Economic prosperity
Dd) Personal ambition
8.
Create a short monologue from Troy’s perspective expressing his feelings about the societal barriers he faces.
9.
Write a brief scene where a character discusses the theme of social division in 1950s Pittsburgh. Include key phrases and symbolism.
Unlock Full Worksheet & Answers
Get instant access to the complete worksheet, answer keys, and 1,899 others
Unlimited answer keys for all worksheets
Download clean, formatted PDFs
Customize and remix any worksheet
Cancel anytime • No commitment • Start today
Quick Actions
What is Remix?
Create a new worksheet based on this one. Change the grade level, topic, number of questions, or difficulty - then generate a fresh version.
- • Change grade level (Grade 6 → Grade 7)
- • Swap topics (Harry Potter → Macbeth)
- • Add more questions (10 → 15)
- • Adjust difficulty
Details
- Created
- 12/31/2025
- Updated
- 12/31/2025
- Type
- worksheet