Fences Character Analysis

Boss, officer, president, parent, and professor are all positions people encounter frequently within organized groups. These leadership positions provide needed structure and organization in our fast-paced world, consequently providing people with the resources needed for success. However, administrative roles do have a negative connotation, often looked at as being oppressive and apathetic to one’s needs. Despite these feelings, the increased competitive nature that modern society promotes, demands strong leaders who will encourage cooperation and unity. As a result, powerful and authoritative leadership is essential in fostering success within people and communities, and is needed regardless of any oppressive qualities a leader may hold.

By creating this instructional dynamic, leaders provide their followers with indispensable skills and tools they can use for achieving success. An authority’s role in influencing others for the better is evident in the dynamic between Troy and Cory portrayed in Fences. When arguing with Cory about his football opportunity, Troy constantly demands respect and emphasizes that “a man got to take care of his family”(Wilson 215). While Troy does not prove to be a caring and nurturing father (often doing things that are detrimental to Cory’s happiness), he plays a large role in developing Cory into a driven and tough individual, traits that aided him in attempting and joining the marines. Furthermore, Troy also plays a role in developing a strong connection between Cory and his mother through his teachings of responsibility towards family. Cory develops the need to protect his family from danger, evident from the fight that commences following Troy’s harassment of Rose(Wilson 231). Cory’s experience with his authoritative superior, Troy, develops invaluable characteristics that aid him in maturing and finding success, justifying the need for a role-model/leader in one’s

Communities generally encompass a wide array of distinct interests and personalities, which inevitably creates conflict within the group. A strong leader is thus necessary for providing shared beliefs that connect distinct points of views. After visiting from the military, Cory, who just met Raynell, begins to sing along with her, “Blue treed a possum out on a limb… ”(Wilson 245). Both characters feel an instant connection resulting from their similar upbringing under Troy, symbolized by the song Blue Dog. Given the low economic and societal status the group is faced with, family unity functions as the main motivator to keep them going. As the leader of the family, Troy is tasked with keeping the largely dysfunctional family together. Through his lessons, songs, sports, and beliefs, Troy achieves this feat and excels at creating a tightly knit community which aids each other in their future endeavors. Troy’s success is apparent in the final moments of the play, with all the family coming together to commemorate Troy’s death and experiencing a moment of joy with Gabriel(Wilson 246). Wilson juxtaposes the final moments of the play to all the other negative experiences to create a greater sense of triumph within the community. It is no coincidence that this apparent success results from Troy’s funeral. Troy’s funeral serves as a symbol of his success