Fences By August Wilson Character Analysis

As time passes, one generation ends and another one begins. Yet there are people stuck in the past that refuse to adapt to the changes. Not adapting to the new way has shown to sometimes cause problems to others especially those who the person is close to. The idea of conflict between generations is more prevalent in the play Fences by August Wilson. The play tell the tale of Troy Maxson an energetic garbage man attempting to build a fences and how he deals with conflict between his family and himself. One conflict being the stained relationship between Troy and his son Cory Maxson. Troy and his family live during an unstable time when tension between colored and white people was starting to peak. Troy suffered from a traumatic past and had

an unsuccessful baseball career. As a result, he makes wrong choices and become hypocritical toward the people he loves. The hardship that he had endured in the past primary cause him to become increasingly distant from this family.
Troy had a harsh childhood. During scene four it is revealed that Troy had left home at the early age of fourteen because of his abusive father. His life in the city was no better, landing him in jail for 15 years. Troy’s relationship with his father reflects how he treats Cory. Cory has shown to be a good kid with good grades and a strong determination for football. But instead of supporting his son’s goals. Troy wants Cory to live a more responsible life by telling him to work an honest job that is not affected by the influence of white people. During Troy’s time, there was more racial segregation between colored and white people than there was during Cory’s time. Troy refuses to accept the fact that people have changed greatly from his time and continues to stick to this old roots. Troy’s family and friends have all noticed his blatant refusal to see changes as they try to convince him to accept the change. Rose, Troy’s wife even once said “Time have changed from when you was young, Troy. People change. The world’s changing all around you and you can’t even see it” (Wilson). The thought of changes is incomprehensible to Troy. The relationship between the father and son was shown to be somewhat steady in the beginning. Throughout the play, it was becoming apparent that their relationship is falling apart. The main cause of the break is due to Troy’s refusal to accept his son’s dream for football. Troy cheating on his wife also played a role in the separation. Troy views Cory as person with potential. He does not want Cory to make the same mistake that he made when he left his father. Ironically, Troy’s actions only result in Cory leaving him. Troy also tells Cory that he is leaving Cory’s stuff outside the fence that he just completed. In the play, the fence represents a box that holds all that Troy holds dear. By telling Cory that his stuff will be outside the fence, Troy is implying that Cory is out of his box and he doesn’t care about him anymore.
Troy’s failure of a baseball career played a large role in the separation with Cory. Troy love baseball as much as Cory love for football. Troy is so engross to the sport that he uses it escape from reality. Even going as far as saying death is nothing but a fastball from the outside corner. In the past Troy played in a league for baseball and he was really good at what he does. But because of his color, he was prevented him from playing in the major league. By the time the league start letting into black people, Troy was fifty-five years old and was deemed old to play. The bitter experience left a bad impression on Troy, making him think that it is impossible for a colored person to be successful in this career path. When Cory ask him to sign a football waiver, Troy in his mind think that Cory will go nowhere if he play football. He refuse to give Cory a chance at what he love to do. Troy believe that Cory will do better if pursue a different career. Try does not what Cory to make the same mistake and choosing bad career. Cory took his father’s refusal the wrong way. He believe that Troy is just jealous of the fact that he has the potential to surpass and achieve what Troy could not back then. Both sides refused to see each other’s viewpoints and ultimately lead to Cory leaving.
Cory is not the only one who suffered from Troy’s hypocritical action.

His devoted wife Rose had to deal with Troy unstable emotion too. Rose Maxson is shown to be a kind and loving wife who deeply care for her husband and her children. In the play Rose is shown to be extremely devoted to Troy, even going far as to wait fifteen years for him to be let out of jail. She is depicted as the modeled wife during the time. The name Rose is a reference to August Wilson’s mother Daisy Wilson, both name are name of flowers as a representation of kindness, care and forgiveness. The characteristics that is portrayed by Rose throughout the play. (“SparkNote on Fences.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. n.d.). Despite all of Rose’s hard work, Troy did not share the same level of devotion. Troy is revealed later in the beginning to act two that Troy has been seeing another woman other than Rose name Alberta, and as a result Alberta is carrying Troy’s baby. To make matter worst Troy choose to stay with Alberta and keep the relationship going. Troy’s action left Rose heartbroken and also deepened the gap between him and Cory. Even though what Troy did was forgivable, Rose still some level of compassion toward him. This was shown during scene three of act two when Troy beg for Rose to take care of his newborn daughter, Raynell. To which Rose respond by saying “I'll take care of your baby for you...cause...she innocent...and you can't visit the sins of the father upon the child. A motherless

child had got a hard time....From right now this child got a mother. But you a womanless man. (Wilson). Rose’s decision to keep the baby should how caring she is. She a natural mother that cannot refuse a child in need. She knows that it better for the baby to be in her care than Troy’s.
Troy Maxson in nature is a man who is trying to do the best for his family, but failing to provide any love to them.

In the beginning, he was portrayed to be a character that the majority would find entertaining to listen to. But as the story progress, Troy’s true nature begin show revealing an unstable side of him. His experiences and hardship only cause him to do the opposite and distance himself from them. From a son who just wanted to have a career in football to a wife who was deeply devoted to him. But Cory and Rose are not the only people that Troy distant himself from. His best friend Bono who tried his best to keep Tory on the right path but failed. Even his brother Gabriel who he stole government money from to pay for the houses. Despite all the wrong doing that he has done, he still left some good impression on his family. This was shown during Troy’s funeral at the final act of the play where his family is brought back together. Each one revealing the all lesson they had learned from Troy and even going as far as to forgive him. Even Cory (now a marine corporal) who still harbor some dislike toward his late father reluctantly gave in and choose to attend the funeral. He realized even enough Troy did not treat him like he wanted to, he was still his

father.