Fatherhood In Fences

Hunter Simard April 29, 2015 Mrs. Lytle Deadbeat Dad Parenthood is something that many people take for granite. In the play “Fences” by August Wilson Troy is portrayed as an awful father. Troy is very selfish and only really cares about himself; he does only what benefits him, not others. He treats his son Cory like he is worthless and does not let him do anything he wants and always has to go against what Cory wants. Although, some may argue that Troy has supported his family and has given them a pretty good life, there are many more negatives; they outweigh these positive aspects of Troy being a father. Troy, also treats Rose terribly; this sets a bad example for the Cory and Lyons as they continue to grow …show more content…
Troy’s brother went to war and got in a very bad accident and had to get metal plates put in his head. Troy explains how if this had no happend to his brother he would not be where he was at that time. He got all of the money from his brother and he got the house that his brother owned, Earlier in the play, Troy gets angry at Lyons for not having a lot of money and asking to borrow some. This shows that Troy is a hypocrite because if his brother had not gotten in that accident he would not have a lot of money either. Troy says in the play, “If my brother didn't have that metal plate in his head….I wouldn’t have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. And I’m fifty-three years old.” (Wilson 28) Troy was not going to have a lot of money but since the accident, he has had a good life and he has taken advantage of his injured brother, This shows his sons that it’s okay not to work for things, because eventually they will come to you. Troy sets many bad examples for his two sons in many different …show more content…
Some people may say that he is just hard on his kids, while others may say that he is just a cruel father in general. He shows how he treats his childrens and for most people it is not the way that the average father would handle things. He does not let Cory do what he wants in life. All Cory wanted is to play football in college with his scholarship that he earned. But, Troy does not allow this, which is also taking away an education for Cory by not letting him go to school. Fathers are supposed to support their children and help them follow their dreams, but Troy does the exact opposite. Troy, also treats his wife, Rose, very poorly and this sets a bad example for his two sons. Although they are not young, they still look up to their father and want to follow in his footsteps. But, when Troy cheats on Rose, it shows the boys what type of husband he is, and they may think since their father did it, it is okay for them to do it. Finally, Troy acts like he works very hard, when in reality he lucked out and things were given to him. The only reason that Troy made it in the world is because of his brother’s accident. He took advantage of his own brother, which displays to his sons that everything will come to you eventually and you do not have to work for things. Overall, Troy is a bad influence to his children and wife. He doesn't act like a father to his sons and he cheats on his wife; he hurts the ones who