Gender Stereotypes In Fences By August Wilson

“Fences,” by August Wilson is set during an era of extreme racism. In the play there are many underlying messages about certain family dynamics and the idea of true success in careers for African Americans. Growing up Troy Maxson loved baseball and definitely had the skill set to play it professionally. Due to his race he was not accepted to play professionally despite his great talent. This denial leads him to grow bitter and strains relationships in his life later on. He doesn’t do it intentionally though, he thinks he knows best and is just trying to prevent his family from an impoverished life. Even in his adulthood he still struggles with limitations placed upon him by society in his current job as a garbage man. Baseball is used to describe

Although his actions and words portray him as a bad character, he ultimately has good intentions. He truly wants his family to be financially supported and have great opportunities. His strong opinions on his son, Cory’s, career choices are motivated based on his negative experiences. Troy has a good perspective on having a strong work ethic but definitely does not portray it well. “Troy: It ain't gonna get him nowhere. Bono’ll tell you that. Bono: If he be like you in the sports… he's gonna be all right. Ain't but two men ever played baseball as good as you. That's Babe Ruth and Josh Gibson. Thems the only two men ever hit more home runs than you” (O’brien 1126). His disapproval of Cory playing football for his future is very intense. Instead of accepting that times are changing and becoming more progressive. He shuts his son down on his passions and tells the football coach he can’t play football. Troy also uses his experience with his other son Lyons' career as a musician against Cory. He thinks Cory needs a steady job in order to succeed, which is something Lyons couldn’t

He negatively affects Lyons, Cory, his wife Rose, and his brother Gabriel. Growing up Lyons did not grow up with Troy in the house. Anytime Lyons is around Troy constantly brings him down for his career and lack of money. As mentioned earlier, even Cory is shamed by his father for wanting to pursue football and college. Troy understands first hand how it is to be rejected by sports and doesn’t believe it will benefit his son. He also doesn't want him to struggle like Lyons. “Troy: What is ever get me? Ain't got a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. Rose: Times have changed since you were playing baseball, Troy. That was before the war. Times have changed a lot since then..” (O’brien 1126). Additionally, Troy shows no empathy towards his brother Gabriel. After returning home from the war, Gabriel is left mentally harmed. Instead caring for him with the money Gabriel is receiving after the war. Troy sends him to an institution and keeps the money to support his own immediate family. Lastly, the last character he truly affected was his wife Rose. It seemed as if they had a good marriage by some warm things Troy had to say about her. Nothing was perfect but everything changed when he revealed he had a mistress who was pregnant with his baby. It later escalated to a fight in which Cory intervened and ultimately got kicked out. This affair not only