Conflict Between Troy and His Family
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Conflict is the recurring central theme in August Wilson’s play “Fences.” The play is enmeshed with conflict and tension surrounding an African American family living in the United States. The play protagonist Troy Maxson plays an important role in demonstrating conflicts that a black father goes through as he struggles to fulfill all his fatherly duties. The author illustrates several types of conflicts and tension in the play, for instance, the conflict between Troy and himself, Troy and his family, Troy and death, and Troy and the society. However, he mostly uses the conflict of Troy and his family to drive other conflicts and further develop the play, as evident by the conflict between Troy and his first son Lyons, Troy and his father, and finally, Troy his wife, Rose and their son Corry.
Troy’s conflict with his family originated from his past experiences in a society massively steep in racism. He lived in a generation where African Americans had limited opportunities even though they showcased high potentials. His past experiences made him believe that his kind will always have to struggle to survive. He imposes these beliefs onto his family and demands that they view life from his outlook. He has morphed into a pessimist who fails to see anything good coming out of his present circumstances. His failure to achieve his dreams made him believe that his two sons won’t either. He firmly believes that racial abomination will always be a determining factor of African American success; these results to him conflicting with his two sons, who both have operations just like him.
Troy’s relationship with his father was way complicated. It affected him so much that he negatively acts upon his two sons. His relationship with his two sons is a perfect reflection of how his father related to him. He says, “sometimes I wish I had not known my daddy, he ain’t cares nothing about kids” (Wilson, 1985). Troy and his mother had to leave because they couldn’t live with his father. They described him as a man possessed with evil. Troy despising his father shows that he is a hypocrite as he is treating his sons the same way his father treated him, and this results in today me leaving him just like he left his father.
Troy conflicts with his son Corry. He shatters his son’s dreams to pursue football as he forbids it; this makes their relationship very edgy. Corey tries to run from his father’s intentions, but he fails as his father’s presence in his life seems permanent. Troy believes that the issue of racism and discrimination is still prevalent; the reason he denies Corry an opportunity to pursue his goals. Moreover, Rose and Bono are convinced that Troy’s bitterness is due to him losing his chance to pursue his career years ago because of racial discrimination then. Even though Troy’s actions towards his son were genuine, Corry thought that it is an act of jealousy. Their misunderstanding is mainly because instead of supporting his dreams, Troy believes keeping his son grounded to reality with a stable job is the best way to protect him.
Troy also lectures Corry on the importance of family and determination over insignificant luxuries such as watching games. He thinks that Corry is insensitive; as a result, Corry develops a sense of hatred towards his father. He doesn’t fear his father’s authority anymore and attempts to fight with him. Also, the fact that racism didn’t allow him to pursue his dream makes Troy act blindly on his son. He fears that whatever happened to him might as well happen to his son. He fails to accept the possibility that racism was scrapped off and worries that his son might experience the same cruelty he went through. However, his intentions are genuine, but Corry thinks his father envies him and accuses him by saying, “Just because you didn’t have a chance, you just scared I’m going to be better than you” (Wilson pg58).
The conflict and tension between Troy and Lyons are mainly since Troy was absent in Lyons’s childhood. Lyon was brought up by a single mother while Troy was serving in prison. Their relationship is also strained by the different outlook that they have developed on life. Unlike Troy, Lyon is growing up in a generation where African Americans had opportunities to pursue their dreams; he wants to pursue his dream as a musician. Even though he is struggling through his music career, Lyons is motivated by the fact that music gives him a sense of belonging and purpose. Troy, however, does not believe in his son’s dream; this further drifts them apart. Lyons returns all the money his father gave him as an act of freedom and independence. He wants his father out of his life; however, he ends up like his father; instead of achieving his dreams of becoming a successful musician, he ends up in jail.
The conflict between Troy and his wife Rose is sparked by Troy cheating on her. She was loyal to try for 18 years, and he has repaid her by cheating on her. Troy, however, argues that he went to Alberta to get away from the pain of his stagnant career and life goals. His egocentric actions affect Rose’s life as she believes she had been a good wife and accuses Troy of being selfish. Troy gets furious and grabs her arm. Their relationship started out close but quickly turned distant almost to the point of emotional cut-off.
The conflict between Troy and his close friend Bono. Although it is not insignificant, like the other conflicts, it is still worth mentioning. The two were best friends when they were in jail and during Troy baseball day. Bono admired his sense of responsibility but quickly changed his feelings after he learns toys and faithful act. Bono’s thoughts about morals and fidelity drift the friendship apart.
In conclusion, Wilson uses Troy’s conflicts with his family to drive other elements into the play and further develop his plot. The play protagonist was an imperfect man. He had many flaws, which were mainly due to his experiences in life. These experiences have made him change his outlook on life. Throughout the play, he fights with his sons as he tries to force them to view life from his perspective. Even though his intentions were genuine, his family disagrees with him, which father lead to conflict and tension between them. The racial discrimination and his father’s action from the formative years made him becoming an overprotective and unfaithful man who ends up ruining his family.
Reference:
Wilson, A., & Scott, S. (2014). Fences (p. 282). Spark Publishing/SparkNotes LLC, a division of Barnes & Noble.
Shannon, S. G. (2003). August Wilson’s Fences: A reference guide. Greenwood Publishing Group.
Blumenthal, A. S. (2000). More Stories Than the Devil Got Sinners”: Troy’s Stories in August Wilson’s” Fences. American drama, 9(2), 74.
Blumenthal, A. S. (2000). More Stories Than the Devil Got Sinners”: Troy’s Stories in August Wilson’s” Fences. American drama, 9(2), 74.