Love And Acceptance In Fences, By August Wilson

1182 Words5 Pages

August Wilson writes in the epilogue of Fences, "When the sins of our fathers visit us, we do not have to play host. We can banish them with forgiveness, As God in His Largeness and Laws" (Wilson X). Wilson’s comment reveals the significance of love and loyalty and how they cross generational boundaries. He implies that, while individuals can be divided by race and class, a universal tie binds us together. Wilson highlights how transformational and powerful love can lead to greater understanding and acceptance through the characters of his drama. Cory Maxson, son of Troy Maxon, is forced to confront his father's flawed parenting. However, he accepts that Troy loves him as he tries to teach his son not to repeat his mistakes. In August Wilson's …show more content…

In the final act, Cory initially refuses to attend Troy’s funeral, insisting on the importance of the chance to finally stand up to Troy and take back the power his father stripped him of (96). However, before sharing a moment with Raynell, Rose tells Cory that Troy wanted what was best for his son and expresses that Troy did everything to make Cory what he was. Rose states that Cory rebelling against his father by not attending his funeral does not make him more of a man because she believes that Troy meant more good than harm to Cory. As a result, not only does Cory attend the funeral, but he also bonds with his younger sister. In August Wilson’s drama, Fences, Cory's transformation shows the importance of acceptance and understanding. At the start of the play, Cory is filled with anger towards his father due to his strict parenting style and lack of support for Cory's dreams. However, after Troy's death, Cory accepts his father's legacy and embraces his identity. This transformation is a testament to the power of love and how it can lead to understanding and growth. Every parent has flaws, and children often think they will become like their parents. Cory proves to be wrong growing out of the cycle. Nevertheless, children do not inherit the faults of their parents. Instead, flaws serve as a point of reference or anchor in how to grow and learn from a parent's mistakes so that the sins of our fathers do not become the sins of our