August Wilson Masculinity In Fences

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Masculinity can be described as having qualities or characteristics considered of or appropriate to a man. Furthermore, these “manly” qualities and/or characteristics can be revealed through human nature, which all humans distinctly and naturally have. In the play, Fences, written by August Wilson, Troy, Bono, and Lyons all present different versions of masculinity through said human nature-including ways of thinking, feeling, and acting.
First, Troy Maxwell, the main character throughout the play, shows his masculinity due to his past life troubles. Growing up, Troy led a very difficult and stressful life. He wasn’t close with his father; in fact, he was scared of him if anything. In Act 1 Scene 4, Troy tells the boys about his terrible …show more content…

Within time, one can begin to grow close to another and even feel that the other is one to admire. However, one can also begin to see the negative facets a person can acquire. At the beginning of the play, Act 1 Scene 1, Bono makes it obvious to Troy that he is aware of his actions with his secret lover. That Troy “Had been doing more than eyeing her [Alberta]”, because he “Done bought her a drink or two” at Taylor’s (Wilson). Not many can stand up to someone of whom they usually follow or look up to. It takes a lot to be so called, dauntless, and tell someone’s best friend they are considered a cheater. In addition, if it weren’t for Bono’s imprisonment the two men would have never even met in the first place. Similar to Troy, Bono used to be a rebellious man who got into continuous trouble. After serving his time for an unknown crime, he “Paid his debt to society, married, had children” and got a “Respectable job, though it may be less than ideal” (Harris-Lopez). Even though Bono also led a not so good life, he turned it around once he got out of prison and kept “The crooked with the straights” (Wilson). In result, it demonstrates the masculinity Bono

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