August Wilson Baseball Rhetorical Analysis

The game of baseball has long been regarded as a metaphor for the American dream--an expression of hope, democratic values, and the drive for individual success. According to John Thorn, baseball has become "the great repository of national ideals, the symbol of all that [is] good in American life: fair play (sportsmanship); the rule of law (objective arbitration of disputes); equal opportunity (each side has its innings); the brotherhood of man (bleacher harmony); and more" (qtd. in Elias, "Fit" 3). Baseball's playing field itself has been viewed as archetypal--a walled garden, an American Eden marked by youth and timelessness. (There are no clocks in the game, and the runners move counter-clockwise around the bases,) As former Yale University …show more content…
in Elias, "Fit" 9). Troy's Negro League experience is used as a demonstration of how African Americans who desired to play in the major leagues were prevented from reaching that dream. Troy Maxson uses baseball metaphors to explain his way of thinking, living and death. Baseball causes conflict between Troy and his son Cory. August Wilson uses baseball as a metaphor to illustrate how Troy’s crushed dream of playing Major League baseball causes tension and conflict in the lives of the rest of his family.
Troy Maxson describes himself as one of if not the greatest Negro League player of all time. Troy’s friend Bono compliments Troy by saying that only Babe Ruth and Josh Gibson are the only two men who hit more homeruns than he did. Troy’s response to this is “What it ever get me? Ain't got a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of". (1840) Even though Troy was a great Negro League player, he didn’t get the fame or exposure that would’ve made him as great as he would’ve liked. Had he gotten the opportunity to play in the major leagues then he may not have been in his …show more content…
After discovering that Troy has gotten him kicked off the football team Corey confronts his father. Corey alleges that Troy is jealous that he would be better than him. Troy responds to this by saying, “You swung and you missed. That’s strike one. Don’t you strike out” (1863). Corey has made an allegation that Troy feels is similar to swinging at a pitch and failing to hit it. In baseball terms Troy tells Corey he has said something he shouldn’t have and he has received his first warning in doing so. After confessing to Rose about his affair Troy forcibly grabs her arm which causes Corey to come to the aid of his mother. Corer knocks Troy to the ground in defense of his mother. Troy says to Corey “That’s strike two… Don’t you strike out”. (1869). Cory has gotten his second warning and is in danger of suffering a severe consequence if he gets strike three. In baseball terms Corey now has a full count. This means that Corey has the maximum amount f strikes against him before he strikes out. The conflict between Corey come to a head when Corey tries to walk around Troy while he was sitting on the steps. Corey doesn’t say excuse me and Troy takes offense. Troy backs Corey into a tree and to defend himself Corey picks up a bat. The bat is an important metaphor on the fact that baseball has caused the tension between father and son. It is only fitting that the bat is the final