The protagonist of the novel is Troy Maxson, a fifty-three year-old, African American who works for the sanitation department. Troy used to play baseball in the Negro Leagues. As soon as the Major Leagues started to accept blacks, Troy’s athletic ability began to degrade. Wilson symbolically gives the last name Maxson to Troy, because that was the name of the line that divided the north and the south during the civil war era. In addition, Troy’s name represent those who lived on the line between two contrasting viewpoints. Troy’s character is full of hopes and dreams and many disappointments. Troy’s role in the play is the centerpiece of all the other characters. Troy, son of an unsuccessful farmer, brings that line in between his family. The line between the north and the south represented Troy’s history; in addition, Troy provides the connection between slavery and how …show more content…
When Bono finds out about his affair with Alberta, he tries to convince Troy to stop before it is too late. Bono views the fences as a symbol of Rose’s mother like and wife like qualities. Bono states, “Some people build fences to keep people out and other people build fences to keep people in. Rose wants to hold on to you all. She loves you" (Wilson 79) . Bono tells Troy that he will destroy his relationship with Rose while he is in the middle of preventing Cory from a successful future; however, Wilson does not state a clear reason for the fences. In addition, the metaphor of the fences represents how slaves were kept within boundaries. Wilson keeps the meaning behind the fences a mystery for the readers to interpret it their way. Furthermore, Troy states, “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 pressure” (Wilson 62). Troy explains how he feels happy and joyful when he is with Alberta instead of staying home with his failing