Fences August Wilson Character Analysis

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In the play, “Fences”, by August Wilson, Troy is the protagonist. By many Troy can be seen as a tragic hero for his bravery to stand up for his black rights. As bad as the things Troy might do, still readers enjoy him as a character. This is because the author's technique to display sympathy for Troy avoids readers seeing him as a abusive father and an unfaithful husband. August Wilson makes us sympathize with Troy by talking about his past life when he was a child, How he personified death and talked about how he kept fighting it, and when everything was against him Troy kept fighting for his rights

To begin, Troy talks about his childhood and the rough times he has had. Troy talks about many dark childhood memories. Like his father
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Troy mentions he fought with death and won and is also waiting for him to return for a rematch. “At the end of the third night we done weakened each other to where we can hardly move. Death stood up, threw his robe...had him a white robe with a hood on it. He throwed on that robe and went off looking for his sickle. Say, “i'll be back.” Just like that” (12). This showed that for 3 days Troy kept fighting death and did not give up. This gains our sympathy because we could relate to when we kept fighting for something even when the odds were against us.

Moreover when everything was against him Troy kept fighting for his rights. Troy rebelled against something big in order to get something big. When he did everyone thought he was going to get fired at work but instead got a promotion as a driver which is a white man’s job. “They keep switching me around. Got me out in Greentree now...hauling white folks’ garbage”(83). This goes on the show that Troy kept on fighting and didn't stop. By his actions we gain respect for him.

Ultimately, the readers remain sympathetic for Troy despite his actions; unfaithful husband and abusive father. The author August Wilson makes the readers show sympathy to Troy even though he is a bad person. He achieves this by talking about Troy’s childhood, How he personifies death and fought him which symbolised something, and lastly Troy kept fighting for his rights against

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