Troy Maxon Sparknotes

The life of Troy
During the early 1950s and the late 1960s, many African Americans experienced a time that was fueled with racial conflicts causing challenges and fulfillments that are absent in an individual's life. The play ¨Fences¨ written by August Wilson, focused particularly on an African American family who struggle to overcome difficulties during the Civil Rights Movements. Troy Maxson is a hard working, fifty three year old, and former baseball player. Maxson is the father of two boys and one younger girl, he also has a very supportive wife, and a disabled brother. In this play, Troy is very discontent with his situation, dealing with racial discrimination and the destruction of his initial dream. Maxson begins to fail his family

due to the lack of bond, all the way up to his death. The Maxson family was broken because of Troy's actions.
In the fifties, life for African Americans were tough, the Maxsons lived in the Northern cities where many African Americans were not hired because of their skin tone.

Troy was very angered at his boss because he had the white men driving and the colored men lifting, ¨They gonna fire me cause I asked a question? That's all I did. I went to Mr. Rand and asked him ¨why? Why you got the white men's driving and the colored lifting?¨ (Wilson 930) Troy believes it is unequal, anyone can do the job not just men of color. Maxson did not stay quiet, he went and took it to the Union hoping they would do something about the situation. Later on, we see Troy was given the job of a driver, which is extremely rare to see at this time considering the fact that many African Americans were not considered equal.¨He called me in and told me they was making me a driver.¨ (Wilson 948). Bobo being one of Troy's best friends does not do the same process as Maxon and ends up with the same position. If no effort is put in, and you do not fight for what you want, you'll never end up with results. However, after all this hard work, being an African American with a higher position than the rest of your co-workers, Troy was still not satisfied with the route that was put in front of

him.
Troy was very outspoken, his use of bold words, and lack of accomplishments caused many problems in his home. Throughout the play, we witness how harsh Troy was with his son Cory. Troy does not believe that Cory is going to get anywhere with playing football ¨He ought to go and get recruited in how to fix cars or something where he can make a living¨ (Fences 933.) Troy does not want Cory to have the disappointments like the ones he had when he wanted to be a professional baseball star. Maxson, turns to alcohol to solve his situation, the play depicts certain behaviors Troy performs when he recalls the times he played baseball ¨Come telling me I come along too early. If you could play...then they ought to have let you play. [Troy takes a long drink from the bottle]¨ (Wilson 934). During this challenging time of Troy's life we see how he betrays everyone in his family, from his disabled brother to the person he loved the most, his wife. ¨