Rose Maxson Character Traits

Rose Maxson is a 43 year old woman who was married to Troy Maxson. She is ten years younger than her husband. She is an African American who lives in 1957. She is physically healthy because “she doesn’t drink” (Wilson 5). Although she doesn’t drink, she still is a part of the Friday night ritual of Bono and Troy. Her approximate height is difficult to tell but Troy “puts his arm around her” (6) which infers that she is shorter than him. At most she could be a foot shorter than him. Rose seems to be religious due to her early chaotic life and wanting a place to settle. She is very social within the Church, with her family, and friends. She seems to spend most of her time within the Maxson household. Very rarely is she seen outside the house. When she breaks ties with Troy she begins doing things outside of the house like going to a bake sale.

She provides for her family constantly. She plays the role of a typical 1950’s woman well. Whenever she has visitors she always offers them food. For instance, when Gabriel visits, she asks, “You hungry, Gabe? I was just fixing to cook Troy his breakfast” (26). Providing for your husband and always being hospitable is trademark for housewives of the time period. However, she is not passive or submissive and is not afraid to stand up for herself, even to her husband. In this way she breaks the stereotypical mold of her time period and begins taking the role of an independent woman. When she’s leaving the house to go to a bake sale, Troy asks her when she’ll be back and she responds, “Ain’t no use studying me. It don’t matter what time I come back” (82). Essentially she is telling him that what she does is none of his concern and she can do whatever she wants. She still does not forgive him for having a child with another woman and she makes her position very