As I have grown up, I have heard many stories of my mom’s family. Stories of her sister, her mom, her dad. . . I know I haven’t heard it all. I’ve heard of her brother trying to stab her, of her dad emotionally manipulating her as she grew up, and of her mom not doing anything to stop it. Because of this, she doesn’t talk to them much. She definitely has not forgiven them for the abuse, and has been in therapy to heal from the trauma. I don’t think she should forgive them, and she agrees with me. And of course, she wants to end the cycle of abuse, so she does what any sensible human does and doesn’t abuse me or my sister.
Something similar—at least in terms of abuse from parents—happens to Cory Maxon in the play Fences by August Wilson. Over
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The first major indication of this abuse is just after Cory tells his dad he isn’t going to be working weekdays at the A&P anymore. Cory asks why Troy never liked him, and Troy’s response is, “Liked you? Who the hell say I got to like you? What law is there day I got to like you? Wanna stand up in my face and ask a damn fool-ass question like that. Talking about liking somebody.” (Act 1 Scene 3) Although this isn’t the most serious form of abuse, a parent telling their child they don’t like them is considered among psychological fields verbal abuse. Imagine, the only person who should always love them unconditionally says they don’t like them. The entirety of this conversation is Troy putting down and insulting Cory. Later, Cory tries to stand up to his father and explain his side of the story. He claims, “You ain’t never done nothing but hold me back. Afraid I was gonna be better than you. All you ever did was try and make me scared of you. I used to tremble every time you called my name.” (Act 2 Scene 4) Children should never be scared of their parents. And again, sure, Troy provides food and shelter for Cory, but that’s the bare minimum. Clearly, Cory has been traumatized by Troy’s actions. He is scared of his own