Ava Sharpshair
Latia Farria
CCP Lit
5/4/23
The Complexity of Troy Maxson
Troy Maxson is the main character, and also classified as the most complex in the play Fences by August Wilson. Troy is the father of Lyons and Cory Maxson and husband of Rose Maxson. He is portrayed in this play as a hardworking, closed-off father who only wants the best for his family, but only the way he wants it. He spends his life wishing he made it to major league baseball but consistently states he's held back by both racism and his family. This impacts how he treats his family both negatively and positively as he regrets his life decisions and brings it to his homelife. This play is riveting with family drama, cheating, and lost dreams all portrayed through Troy’s actions to his
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As the play progresses Troy amplifies his biggest strength, dedication to family values through good times and bad. Although he is a difficult father, he is still loyal and takes care of his responsibilities. This is shown through his relationship with Cory, specifically when Cory is offered a scholarship to play football in college. “A man got to take care of his family. You live in my house…sleep you behind on my bedclothes… fill you belly up with my food… cause you my son.” (Wilson 38) Although Cory is mad that Troy does not approve of his future sports career, Troy emphasizes that he wants Cory to have a steady income and a stable life. He supports this by talking about his life wanting to be a baseball player but didn’t because he’s responsible for Cory and their family and he wants them to have a steady income and a place to live and eat. Although he comes off aggressive, he still shows Cory that he cares and comes from a place of responsibility and wants the best for him. Even though it is not what Cory wanted to hear, it is what Troy has to say because it is what he needs to