In Fences, Bono explains this symbolism directly. He notes that some people build fences to keep threats out, while Rose builds hers to hold her loved ones in.

Troy was a star baseball player in the Negro Leagues but missed his chance when the majors integrated. This trauma causes him to view sports as a dead-end for Black youth.

Known as the American Century Cycle, this collection features one play for every decade of the 20th century. Nine of the ten plays are set in Pittsburgh's Hill District.

Troy boasts about surviving pneumonia by wrestling Death for three days. He famously dismisses the grim reaper as being nothing but a fastball on the outside corner.