Metzger is a professional writer with a specialty in drama. In this essay she discusses Wilson's metaphoric use of baseball in portraying the life of his lead character, Troy Maxson.

The most prevalent Image in August Wilson's Fences is baseball. It is the sport that defines Troy Maxson's life and provides the measure of his success. Indeed, Wilson has constructed the play into nine scenes-or innings-to emphasize the connection. According to Christine Birdwell in Aethlon, the innings correspond to the seasons of Troy's life. In some innings. Troy is the hero who wins for his team, his family. These are the innings defined by Troy's success: his early success as a great hitter for the Negro Leagues, his protest at work that wins him a promotion to driver, and his noble, responsible efforts to provide for his family. But some innings are losses for Troy (and his...