The time period of racial segregation and injustice towards African Americans was a difficult time as they were not given many of the same opportunities as Caucasians, due to the color of their skin. In the case of August Wilson’s play, Fences, the protagonist, Troy Maxson develops a complex past, where he is denied the opportunity to play baseball and get a job. This made him result to thieving, and after serving jail time, came out a changed and eager man seeking a job. Troy’s past experiences with his father, dedication to his job, decision making, and eagerness of wanting Cory to get a job illustrate his intelligent and hardworking nature.
Troy’s experiences with his father left a strong mark of the value of hard work. At a very young age Troy realized that his father …show more content…
Since Troy was denied the opportunity to play in the Major Leagues because of his race, he seeks out what he believes to be the right thing for his son: a job. Through denying Cory a chance to play football in college, Troy has ambitions for his son to succeed, while simultaneously trying to avert him from having the same experience he went through in sports. Troy sees the advantages of an education and wants his son to do well in his academic studies, valuing that of which he never had. In his conversation with Cory, Troy tells him the value of an education, “You go on and get your book-learning so you can work yourself up in that A&P or learn how to fix cars or build houses . . . Besides hauling people’s garbage” (I. iii, 35). Troy tells Cory that he should take advantage of his education and use it to help him get a better job than his own. In this way Troy tries to pass on the teachings that was given to him by his father onto Cory, wanting him to be ready to tackle on life and be ready to start a family of his
Troy’s experiences with his father left a strong mark of the value of hard work. At a very young age Troy realized that his father …show more content…
Since Troy was denied the opportunity to play in the Major Leagues because of his race, he seeks out what he believes to be the right thing for his son: a job. Through denying Cory a chance to play football in college, Troy has ambitions for his son to succeed, while simultaneously trying to avert him from having the same experience he went through in sports. Troy sees the advantages of an education and wants his son to do well in his academic studies, valuing that of which he never had. In his conversation with Cory, Troy tells him the value of an education, “You go on and get your book-learning so you can work yourself up in that A&P or learn how to fix cars or build houses . . . Besides hauling people’s garbage” (I. iii, 35). Troy tells Cory that he should take advantage of his education and use it to help him get a better job than his own. In this way Troy tries to pass on the teachings that was given to him by his father onto Cory, wanting him to be ready to tackle on life and be ready to start a family of his