Literature-In-English Paper 3 WASSCE (SC), 2023

Question 8                  AUGUST WILSON: Fences
Show why Bono is committed to his friendship with Troy

This was a well-attempted question. Candidates were only able to narrate the event that revolves around Bono and Troy but were unable to capture the role of Bono in the sustenance of their friendship.
This question requires:

  • The statement of the theme of racial discrimination and its negative effects on an African-American family in the 1950s.
  • A character identification of Troy Maxson and Jim Bono.
  • Bono is committed because of Troy’s honesty: Troy is determined to do what is right for everyone; he builds the fence, lends Lyons money, and takes care of Gabriel. Troy confesses to Rose his act of infidelity. Bono, just like Troy, wants to uphold what is right in life. Bono wants to avoid committing mistakes in life. He says Troy has ‘showed me how to not make mistakes’.
  • Bono is committed because of Troy’s capacity for hard work: when Bono visits Troy at home, he finds Troy sawing wood for the fence Rose desires and joins him. Bono appreciated Troy’s exploits when he was playing baseball and the handling of his finances and his family's needs.
  • Bono is committed because of Troy’s ‘strength’: Troy speaks against the Whites’ act of oppression against the Blacks. And that paves the way for him to be promoted to driver. Bono admires Troy for being a disciplined father. He says Troy has taught him ‘to take life as it carries along and keep putting one foot in front of the other’.
Candidates’ performance was average