A man’s most important role in life is to provide for his family and support their wellbeing. A selfish attitude can be the downfall of any desired relationship with family and friends. The poem Fences by August Wilson portrays the character of a man that does not have any major accomplishments in his life. He is an ordinary man with a rude persona towards his own loved ones. Troy Maxson’s character in the story exerts his bitterness into his actions and relationships. This causes in a whirlwind of family behavior exhibited in a cyclical pattern that results in his ultimate tragedy of an unfulfilled existence. His insensitivity does not lead to a successful outcome in his life. In the play, Troy faces many life struggles such as providing for …show more content…
his family, difficulty in relationships, and a pattern of family behavior. Troy does not apply enough effort to properly supply for the needs of his family.
He is comfortable in his low paying job, barely scraping by. Troy took his brother’s injury settlement check from the army to purchase the house that his family resides in. The metal plate in Gabriel’s head funded the roof over Troy’s family (Wilson 1849). Troy makes barely enough to pay the bills. He does not even have the money to fix the roof that may pose destruction to the house. The roof has not been tarred in over ten years and Troy does not have two hundred and sixty-four dollars in cash to repair it (Wilson 1851). In Troy’s previous marriage he conceived a baby during the time that he was homeless and was robbing people to survive. He murdered a man and was incarcerated in jail for fifteen years (Wilson 1861). His wife had to supply for herself and the baby while Troy was locked in a penitentiary for making terrible choices. “Troy's life has been shaped by racial discrimination, economic injustice, and an abusive upbringing” (O’ Reilly). The path that he follows, lined with faulty selections, sets him in a situation in which he only furnishes based on low standards. He allows his upbringing to interfere with the outcome of his …show more content…
existence. Troy does not have many friendships in his life. He has one close friend, Bono, which he has known for many years. They cross paths during the time Troy was in jail and Bono now works with him as a garbage man. They engage in a weekly routine of drinking and talking on Fridays, their payday (Wilson 1836). Other than Fridays, the two men do not particularly associate a copious amount. Troy insists on causing a ruckus at work about a discrimination issue that pertains to only white people being allowed to drive the trucks (Wilson 1837). Troy believes that everyone should have the opportunity to do so. He achieves his goal and obtains a promotion from work to be a truck driver. By doing so, his miniscule accomplishment destroys his only friendship. Troy is positioned to work a new route as a truck driver in a white neighborhood, which results in him not seeing Bono at work. Consequently, Bono establishes new friendships that occupy his Friday evenings. He plays dominos at the Skinner’s every Friday (Wilson 1874). Troy is blind to the consequences that follow the need for change. By achieving a promotion, he is putting his only friendship in jeopardy. Troy’s relationship with his son, Cory, consists of jealousy and altercations. Troy refuses to sign the papers that would let his son go to college on a football scholarship, a destructive act that leads to a final confrontation between the two and a reenactment of the father-son conflict that sent Troy off on his own (“Fences”). Troy is envious of his son actually making a decent living engaging in a sport that he has compassion towards because he did not excel and succeed in baseball. Troy has a hostile attitude with his son throughout the play. He calls Cory a fool for letting someone else take his job at the A&P so that he can play football (Wilson 1853). He insists that Cory learns a trade or works in the local supermarket rather than engaging in his football career. When Cory asks why his father never liked him, Troy retorts that there is no law that says he has to like him (Wilson 1853). Troy believes that his only responsibility to his son is to shelter and feed him. He does not presume that he is required to embrace a solid friendship and understanding with his son. Troy’s relationship with his wife is not only confusing, but extremely heartbreaking.
Rose devotes her entirety to Troy, whom does not show his appreciation for her in return. He procrastinates on the minor tasks for his wife, such as building her a fence for her garden. Additionally, he betrays her by desiring love from another woman. Bono expresses his awareness of the situation to Troy, and he responds that he is only being polite by buying her drinks (Wilson 1837). Troy denies having relations with Alberta, but as the story unfolds, he is proven to be unfaithful. “Yet even as he informs Rose of his unfaithfulness, he insists, "I ain't sorry for nothing I done. It felt right in my heart” (O’ Reilly). Troy’s adulterous behavior severs the remaining portion of his relationship with Rose. He conceives a child with Alberta while cheating and she dies giving birth to the baby. Rose agrees to care for the innocent child because she does not know the sins of her father (Wilson 1873). Rose attends to the baby girl as if she were her own, but no longer revolves her worries around Troy. She consumes herself with church to deal with the burdens that her husband has inserted into their
regimen. Patterns of cyclical behavior are prominent in the play between Troy and his family. Troy’s crude actions take a toll on the other members of the family and affect their overall relationship. He is relentless toward Cory about quitting football for a different profession. Troy overpowers Cory in a physical fight and kicks him out of the house (Wilson 1877). The continuous badgering eventually causes a severe fight between the two that cripples their relationship. A major theme in the cycle is Rose's willingness to accept Troy's illegitimate baby as her own, an act of generosity that looks toward the future, determined to make a blessing out of pain (O’ Reilly). Troy’s infidelity destroys his marriage with Rose, but she accepts to raise the innocent child. Troy is also hypocritical at times when he preaches to others to depend only upon themselves but he does not pursue his own advice. At one point in the play, Lyons begs him for money and he complains that he is broke because Gabe moved out of the house (Wilson 1844). He uses Gabe’s accident money without his consent to purchase a house for himself, and then he continues to use him for rent until he decides to move out for his own freedom. His life ends secluded in a solitude of loneliness because his of behavior and harsh approach to others. The consequences of Troy’s actions wear on his whole family, not just upon himself. A person’s attitude can affect all of the people they come in contact with on a daily basis. Leading a life with a negative outlook can cause destruction to one’s desired path. “Which element we think outweighs the other, whether meaninglessness or meaning, is a matter of temperament” (Heller). Every life has a purpose, whether it is obviously apparent or not. Locating one’s worth and striving for balance is the key to happiness in life’s journey.
“Fences” is a play written by August Wilson about a family living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1957. Troy and Rose have been married for 18 years and have two grown children; Lyons and Corey. Troy is an uptight, prideful man who always claims that he does not fear death, the rest of his family is more laxed and more content with their lives than Troy is. As the play progresses the audience learns more about Troy’s checkered past with sharecropping, his lack of education and the time he spent in prison. The audience also learns more about Troy’s love for baseball and the dreams he lost due to racism and segregation. In the middle of the play the author outwardly confirms what the audience has been suspecting; Troy isn’t exactly satisfied with his life. He feels that he does not get to enjoy his life and that his family is nothing more than a responsibility. Getting caught up in this feelings, Troy cheats on Rose with a woman named Alberta and fathers a child with the mistress. By the end of the play Troy loses both of the women and in 1965, finally gets the meeting with death that he had been calling for throughout the play. Over the
Fences was published in 1983 but the setting was the 1950s in August Wilsons home town. Wilson’s main purpose of this play is to show how the separation of humans into racial groups can create social and finance instability and can have a huge effect on African Americans and whites. The 1950s was the middle of the civil rights era. The Maxsons Family is African American, In the 1950s there was not many jobs for African Americans; most people believed that this is what pushed Troy to steal things in order to provide for his family. Troy went to prison for murder and when he got out he was determined to do good deeds and to turn his life around; shortly after he got out of prison he got a job as a Garbage man. Troy is a tragic figure and a villain; he is a tragic figure because he made great effort to do good deeds for his family, but he allowed his imperfections to get in his way which led to a horrible death. Troy is a villain because of what he did to his wife Rose. (Shmoop; Editorial Team)
Conflicts and tensions between family members and friends are key elements in August Wilson's play, Fences. The main character, Troy Maxon, has struggled his whole life to be a responsible person and fulfill his duties in any role that he is meant to play. In turn, however, he has created conflict through his forbidding manner. The author illustrates how the effects of Troy's stern upbringing cause him to pass along a legacy of bitterness and anger which creates tension and conflict in his relationships with his family.
At first glimpse, Rose Maxson is your typical African American housewife at those times. She is often seen tending to the needs of her family, cooking and doing the laundry. Despite Troy’s abrasive nature, she sticks with him for the majority of the play. While she may seem like an average housewife, she is not submissive and is always calling Troy out whenever he is being inappropriate, or when he tells one of his stories and is
Troy was secretly having an extramarital affair with a woman named Alberta. Troy’s friends all knew the truth, but Troy continually denied any involvement with Alberta. Troy’s best friend, Bono, however, managed to convince Troy what he was wrong for continuing the affair. Troy then came clean to Rose, telling her he was going to be the father of a child Alberta was pregnant with. Rose became heartbroken. She told Troy, “I been standing with you! I been right here with you, Troy. I got a life too. I gave eighteen years of my life to stand in the same spot as you. Don’t you think I ever wanted other things? Don’t you think I had dreams and hopes?” (1606). Rose had given up her entire life to be with Troy. However, Troy never once apologized. Troy continually defended himself, and he went as far as to justify himself. Troy claimed Alberta was an escape for Troy. Troy stated, “It’s just… She gives me a different idea… a different understanding about myself. I can step out of this house and get away from the pressures and problems” (1605). Rose was hurt, however, and Troy never apologized nor stopped seeing Alberta. He continued to live in an illusion that he could keep both his family and his secret life separate. However, Alberta later died in childbirth. Her daughter, Raynell, was to be raised by Troy and Rose. Troy effectively destroyed his marriage because of his excessive pride. He refused to believe he was in the
We all lead lives filled with anxiety over certain issues, and with dread of the inevitable day of our death. In this play, Fences which was written by the well known playwright, August Wilson, we have the story of Troy Maxson and his family. Fences is about Troy Maxson, an aggressive man who has on going, imaginary battle with death. His life is based on supporting his family well and making sure they have the comforts that he did not have in his own childhood. Also, influenced by his own abusive childhood, he becomes an abusive father who rules his younger son, Cory?s life based on his own past experiences. When the issue comes up of Cory having a bright future ahead of him if he joins the football team, Troy refuses to allow him. The root of this decision lies in his own experience of not being allowed to join the baseball team due to the racial prejudices of his time. He does not realize that times have changed and because of his own past, he ruins his son?s life too. His wife, Rose, also plays a big part in the way the story develops. Troy has an affair with another woman called Alberta. When Rose finds out about the affair, she is devastated. In this situation we find out what her own hopes and dreams were. All she wanted was a happy home and family life because of her unstable past. The theme of this story is how a black family, in the late fifties to early sixties, faces the problems that many families are faced with, but in their own...
August Wilson brings out the struggle of Troy Maxson in his play, Fences. All those that matter to him end up feeling this struggle, for it remains constantly inside of him. As it overcomes Troy the respect and love that he was previously given dwindles to nothing. Troy’s actions and failure to fix them makes his true character known. Troy Maxson’s flawed nature is shown when he fails his family by giving way to his selfishness and the traits of his father.
In the play Fences by August Wilson, we are introduced to the Maxsons. An African American family struggling to live in Pittsburgh during the 1950’s pre civil rights movement. This play was the sixth out of ten plays in Wilson's Pittsburgh cycle. Fences was also a pulitzer prize winner. At the beginning of the play we are introduced to Troy. He is the patriarch of the family and his problems and mistakes are what lead the Maxson family to be torn apart. Troy treats his wife, Rose, and his sons, Cory and Lyons, poorly. Troy, can be seen as a villain. Troy proves himself to be more of a villain than a hero thought the play. He takes advantage of his wife Rose, treats his sons, Cory and Lyons, poorly, was once a criminal, and is unsympathetic
There are many causes that molded Troy Maxson into the dishonest, cantankerous, hypocritical person that he is in August Wilson’s play, “Fences” (1985). Troy had an exceptionally unpleasant childhood. He grew up with a very abusive father that beat him on a daily basis. His mother even abandoned him when he was eight years old. In this play, Troy lies habitually and tries to cover himself up by accusing others of lying. He is a very astringent person in general. His dream of becoming a major league baseball player was crushed as a result of his time spent in jail. By the time he was released from jail, he was too old to play baseball efficiently.
Wilson uses the character of Troy, his family, and his friends in Fences to pour out his life, his
The theme is gender roles in the 1950s in Fences by August Wilson. Gender roles are social and cultural standards that determine how males and female should think, speak, dress, and interact in the society. To know if a play is accurate or not we need to look up its historical context or background, research the author in order to know if he or she is speaking from experience, and analyze a character to show how well we understand what went on in the play. Understanding the historical context gives us better insight into the background. In this play fences are a metaphor that represents keeping people in figuratively for Rose by being motherly and sympathetic, and keeping people out for Troy
August Wilson’s play Fences brings an introspective view of the world and of Troy Maxson’s family and friends. The title Fences displays many revelations on what the meaning and significance of the impending building of the fence in the Maxson yard represents. Wilson shows how the family and friends of Troy survive in a day to day scenario through good times and bad. Wilson utilizes his main characters as the interpreters of Fences, both literally and figuratively. Racism, confinement, and protection show what Wilson was conveying when he chose the title Fences.
In Fences, August Wilson introduces an African American family whose life is based around a fence. In the dirt yard of the Maxson’s house, many relationships come to blossom and wither here. The main character, Troy Maxson, prevents anyone from intruding into his life by surrounding himself around a literal and metaphorical fence that affects his relationships with his wife, son, and mortality.
August Wilson uses the symbol of a 'fence' in his play, Fences, in numerous occasions. Three of the most important occasions fences are symbolized are by protection, Rose Maxson and Troy Maxson's relationship, and Troy against Mr. Death. Throughout the play, characters create 'fences' symbolically and physically to be protected or to protect. Examples such as Rose protecting herself from Troy and Troy protecting himself form Death. This play focuses on the symbol of a fence which helps readers receive a better understanding of these events. The characters' lives mentioned change around the fence building project which serves as both a literal and a figurative symbol, representing the relationships that bond and break in the backyard.
August Wilson created many themes throughout his famous play, Fences, but the most prominent one is the relationship between fathers and sons. The three father-son relationships introduced in this play seem to be complicated or difficult to understand. However, it is clear that the relationships built between Troy Maxson and his son Cory, Troy and his other son Lyons, and Troy and his own father are not love-driven. The parallelism of actions, events, and tension amongst each of the father-son relationships in the play illustrate how the sons try to break free from the constraints the father has set, yet in the end, these attempts seem to be pointless as the father leaves an everlasting effect on the sons, ultimately creating a cycle of actions