At the opening of act I, Scene 2, Rose is hanging up clothes in the early morning, humming and singing to herself. Her
song imploring Jesus to "be a fence all around me
everyday" reflects one of the play's important themes. How
do different characters relate to and define fences? Whom
do fences keep out, and whom do they enclose? Consider
also how fences relate to baseball. Explain why this is an
appropriate title for the play.