August Wilson's Fences Essay

The play “Fences” by August Wilson contains many different topics of discussion. From Troy’s upbringing to his relationship to his son Cory, a lot takes place. These issues are the driving factors that create plenty of drama within the play. The topic specifically being focused on is Troy’s impact on Rose’s relationship with Raynell. Rose shows true strength when she decides that it it is her duty to take care of Raynell for many of reasons that include because Troy’s mistress Raynell dies in childbirth she feels the need to come in, she does not feel the baby shouldn’t be punished for Troy’s sins and also because even though she decides to take in Raynell she does not feel the need to get back with Troy. In “Fences” Rose acts on the myth of being a strong black woman set forth by Trudier Harris and she is put into this role because of Troy’s baseball experience making him a bitter man. According to Trudier Harris, one of the most permanent and destructive stereotypes ever maintained about Black American women is the Myth of “the Strong Black Woman” (21). Black Woman …show more content…
This question is posed because sometimes, when referring to black woman, “these superhuman women have been denied the “luxuries” of failure, nervous breakdowns, leisured existences, or anything else that would suggest that they are complex, multidimensional characters. They must swallow their pain, gird their loins against trouble. . . .and persist in spite of adversity” (Harris 156). This relates directly to Rose. With Troy’s mistress Alberta dying during the birth of Raynell, it was not Rose’s duty to take care of Raynell. Rose could have moved on and lived a happy and worry free life without the thought of taking care of a child that was not even hers. Though, she choose not to do so and by doing that she fits the myth of being a strong black