When defined, a fence is a barrier intended to prevent escape or intrusion or to mark a boundary, especially such a barrier made of posts and wire or boards. But, a fence can also be an emotional barrier between people. They are the result the result of conflict and tensions between the people involved, and can have negative results if not addressed. In August Wilson’s play “Fences”, Troy Maxson often conflicts with the people in his life. Because of segregation, Troy creates fences in his relationships.
Because segregation prevented Troy from becoming successful in sports, Troy fears that his son, Cory, will have the same difficulties. As a young colored man growing up in the first half of the 20th century, Troy knows the …show more content…
He was an excellent baseball player, but blacks could only play in the Negro Leagues at the time. As an adult, Troy watches Cory head toward the same hopes and dreams that could never become true because of the continued existence of segregation. During Cory and Troy’s first direct conversation about Cory’s football scholarship. Troy distrusts the White recruiter and refuses to let the recruiter “talk to him” about signing nothing” because he does not think Cory will ever be allowed to play (Wilson 35). Cory tries to convince Troy that it would not be like having “colored on the team and [not using] them”, but Troy keeps a firm hold on Cory’s reality and does not allow Cory to convince him otherwise (Wilson 34). Despite his hold on Cory’s reality, Troy refuses to accept that segregation was not the only factor that kept him out of the major leagues. Because the major leagues did not allow black players to join until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, Troy did not have the opportunity …show more content…
Cory knows that Troy would not be pleased if he stopped working, so he does not tell Troy. This puts a strain in their relationship because Troy could no longer trust Cory to tell him the truth. For example, Troy finds out that Cory lied to him about his job at the A&P. Cory claimed that Mr. Stowiki was going to “hold [his] job for [him]” until “after the football season” and that he still planned to work weekends, but Troy knew that Cory had quit his job and disobeyed him (Wilson 35). Troy’s and Cory’s relationship deteriorates so much that Cory no longer has qualms about physically attacking his father, and the tensions between them reach a breaking point. For example, Cory defends Rose after Troy confesses to cheating on her with Alberta. Cory “comes up behind Troy and grabs him” before “throw[ing] a glancing blow “that” catches him on the chest and knocks him down” (Wilson 72). Rose has to hold Cory back from inflicting any further
Because segregation prevented Troy from becoming successful in sports, Troy fears that his son, Cory, will have the same difficulties. As a young colored man growing up in the first half of the 20th century, Troy knows the …show more content…
He was an excellent baseball player, but blacks could only play in the Negro Leagues at the time. As an adult, Troy watches Cory head toward the same hopes and dreams that could never become true because of the continued existence of segregation. During Cory and Troy’s first direct conversation about Cory’s football scholarship. Troy distrusts the White recruiter and refuses to let the recruiter “talk to him” about signing nothing” because he does not think Cory will ever be allowed to play (Wilson 35). Cory tries to convince Troy that it would not be like having “colored on the team and [not using] them”, but Troy keeps a firm hold on Cory’s reality and does not allow Cory to convince him otherwise (Wilson 34). Despite his hold on Cory’s reality, Troy refuses to accept that segregation was not the only factor that kept him out of the major leagues. Because the major leagues did not allow black players to join until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, Troy did not have the opportunity …show more content…
Cory knows that Troy would not be pleased if he stopped working, so he does not tell Troy. This puts a strain in their relationship because Troy could no longer trust Cory to tell him the truth. For example, Troy finds out that Cory lied to him about his job at the A&P. Cory claimed that Mr. Stowiki was going to “hold [his] job for [him]” until “after the football season” and that he still planned to work weekends, but Troy knew that Cory had quit his job and disobeyed him (Wilson 35). Troy’s and Cory’s relationship deteriorates so much that Cory no longer has qualms about physically attacking his father, and the tensions between them reach a breaking point. For example, Cory defends Rose after Troy confesses to cheating on her with Alberta. Cory “comes up behind Troy and grabs him” before “throw[ing] a glancing blow “that” catches him on the chest and knocks him down” (Wilson 72). Rose has to hold Cory back from inflicting any further