The Destruction Of Relationships In August Wilson's Fences

1501 Words7 Pages

Fences Final Michael Goussios EGCC Mrs. Dewberry ENG102 February 10, 2023 Abstract This essay focuses on the main character, Troy, in the play Fences. He persistently exemplifies the scheme that he is an inadequate father. Countless times all throughout this essay, Troy reveals himself closing the relationships that are closest to him. He shatters the relationships between his sons Cory and Lyon, his wife Rose, his best friend Bono, and nevertheless, his own brother, Gabe. Each relationship crushed contains its own unjustifiable reasons for why it concludes the way it does. Furthermore, Troy’s deep psychological tormented mind divulges all through the writing. Each relationship destroyed has its own …show more content…

Throughout Wilson’s (1986) play, the early destruction of relationships began when Troy crushed Cory’s football career. Once Cory gets home, he throws his helmet in the direction of Troy. Cory gets into an argument with Troy because he went up to the school and told the coach Cory will not be playing football anymore. Troy commits this action because Cory lied to him about keeping his job down at the A&P supermarket. Cory’s football path just began taking off as he had a scout willing to come to his house to talk about his future with football. Troy demonstrates a poor man because he crushes Cory’s dreams, and makes him choose to work for money over working for his happiness, jeopardizing the relationship. Not only did Troy crush the crucial relationship with Cory, but Troy also revealed a devastating secret that had the power of destroying the relationship with his wife, Rose. “I’m talking woman, let me talk. I’m trying to find a way to tell you . . . I’m gonna be a daddy. I’m gonna be somebody’s father” (Wilson, 1986, p. 66). Troy recently has an affair with a woman named Alberta whom he met at Taylor’s bar. He cheats because he felt as if he got stuck in a difficult place and saw the outlet to a sensation. This sensation led to Alberta becoming pregnant, ruining the relationship between Troy and Rose. Rose a very strong woman, tells Troy she will be …show more content…

Troy’s life failures cost him to lose his head. Troy’s after-work conversation with Bono and Rose targets the major league baseball players. Overall Troy feels he is better than some of the players in the league and thinks he should be in it (Wilson, 1986). The 1950s just started allowing African-Americans into the big leagues. Although Troy is fifty-three, he feels he is still fit to play in the league, but since he failed to make it, he believes his son should quit trying to make it to the big leagues for football. With the new rules and laws for African-Americans, Troy still has strong doubts about the industries allowing colored people on their teams. This is Troy’s second powerful reason for why he shut down Cory’s football profession. Troy’s actions and mindset towards sports evidently showcase him as a grave father figure. Furthermore, the play reveals resentment between Troy and Lyon. Lyon’s stops by his fathers house to see if he can borrow only ten dollars from his father on his payday, and he is willing to pay him back once his woman Bonnie gets paid (Wilson, 1986). Troy immediately shuts down Lyon’s offer as soon as he proposes it. He would rather go die in hell and play blackjack with the devil before giving his determined son ten dollars. Rose forces Troy to give his son the ten dollars he needs to get up on his feet. Troy’s atrocious