August Wilson Fences Character Analysis

Living Life through Baseball

August Wilson Fences demonstrates how Troy Maxson’s life is bound to baseball and its terminology. He left home at an extremely young age and barely encountered an education. Troy learns his love for baseball during his time spent in the penitentiary, and later discovers that his only dream was to become one of the first black men to play for a Major League Baseball team. Troy’s dreams were deferred due to racial discrimination during the time; therefore, he is pushed to play in a low class league, The Negro League. From this experience, Troy Maxson became an overly bitter and naïve African American man; he spends any free time drinking. Furthermore, he struggles to provide for his family after suffering such a challenging life. To understand where Troy’s bitterness originates, consider all that he has encountered as a young man. He consistently demonstrates himself as

That’s the moment he decides, it is the perfect time to jump out on faith and try his luck. Troy tries to continue explaining, but Rose had enough of his metaphors. She aggressively explains to him that “we’re not talking about baseball! We’re talking about you going off to lay in bed with another woman” (1999). Troy continues, trying to justify his actions selfishly; yet he become angry at Rose and becomes abusive.

In conclusion, Troy joke that baseball would always come first in his life; ironically, this comes true after considering, he tears his family apart being selfish, naïve and bitter due to the racial discrimination act done upon him. He puts baseball before his family, especially his wife and son. Troy is inconsiderate of his wife and kids when he thinks he is trying to help them by avoiding certain outcomes. However, death did take a toll of Troy, but did not go out without a fight; Troy actually struck out