Fences Troy Maxion Character Analysis

In August Wilson’s play Fences, Troy Maxson has had many life experiences that lead him to act cruelly toward his children. Troy's relationship with his two sons Lyons and Cory. They have a complex relationship. Troy wasn't really in Lyons life. When he was growing up, Troy was doing time in jail. Troy then meet rose and they had Cory. But Cory and Troy also don't have the best relationship. Cory wants to play football but Troy refuses to let him play/ get recruited. Troy wants him to work at the A&P and get good grades at school. But it is more than that. In a kind of way Cory and Lyons want Troy’s approval and the sense that he is proud of him. Troy feels that it doesn't have to be that way, as long as he provides for Cory and

that he has food and a roof over his head. Rose, Troy's wife tries to make him see that. He doesn't believe that. This kind of reflects on how Troy’s dad had treated him when he was younger.Troy’s dad has had a great effect on who Troy is today. On the way he was brought up. His dad was a working person. So everything revolved around work. He could of walked up and left if he wanted but he didn’t. He stayed with his family. He has taken what he knows and is doing it in his own way. Also Troy has A brother named Gabriel. Gabe also seeks Troy’s approval. Gabe was a soldier in the war.

Troy’s relationship with his oldest son Lyons isn’t the best.

Troy’s relationship with his sons are very complicated. Him and his son Lyons do have a rocky relationship. Lyons comes around every once in a while. When he comes around he usually asks Troy for money. Troy usually refuses but ends up giving it to him anyways. Rose Troy’s wife has to always say something, and tells him to give it to him without any trouble. But it doesn’t always go that way. Troy wasn’t in Lyons life when he was younger. Lyons has a troubled relationship. He wants Troy in his life. But he feels that Troy doesn’t have some rights to say certain things because he didn’t rise him. His mom brought him up. For example in the play Fences page 18 it says “You can’t change me, Pop. I'm thirty four years old. If you wanted to change me, you should have there when i was growing up”.In away this is why Lyons is the way he is. Lyons wants Troy to go to one of his gigi's, so that Troy can see him play. But he nevers goes. He always makes an excuse on why he can’t go, which isn’t fair because he has never been to one of his events. I feel like Lyons has this resentment towards him. Lyons hopes that his dad would be more involved in his life, even if it is just a sign of emotion. In a kind of way he feels out of the picture. He wants acknowledgement, he wants to know he means something that he has a place and that his father actually does care. That he wants to be with him and reaches out to him.

Therefore Lyons feels like there is something missing and he wants more. He wants Troy to be involved and be around.
Troy’s relationship with Cory is rocky there is a lot that has been going on here and there. Cory really loves to play football. But Troy rathers him work then play football. Cory doesn’t think it’s fair. Cory wants Troy to understand and let him play football.Then there is a dueing of how Cory thinks that Troy doesn’t like him. Cory just wants him to be proud and to give a sense of love and hope.