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Analysis Of The Play Fences By August Wilson

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While an individual can be strongly influenced by their background, their past does not singularly define one’s idea of familial identity. An individual’s view and perception of family, and that of what a family should embody, can speak greatly of their past as people often follow in their parent’s footsteps when it comes to ideas, beliefs, and practices. The sense of family a person experiences early in life can shape the way in which they structure their own family as an adult, but even despite past experiences, a rough beginning can be turned around into something positive in terms of relationships between family members. Author of the play, “Fences”, August Wilson, can personally relate to the experiences of his character’s as he has …show more content…

Troy failed to establish a healthy relationship with his father resulting in a struggle to develop a bond with his own son bringing about a highly dysfunctional relationship and adding to the overall familial unhappiness. These characters consistently fail to reach common ground concerning Cory 's future leading to both verbal, as well as physical altercations. Troy’s own selfishness holds his son back from achieving his dreams as he fears that his son will achieve more than he ever had, and in turn abuses his parental power, holding unrealistic goals for his son, and driving a wedge between them. Troy stated, “I told that boy about that football stuff. The white man ain’t gonna let him get nowhere with that football. I told him when he first come to me with it. Now you come telling me he done went and got more tied up in it. He ought to go and get recruited in how to fix cars or something where he can make a living” (Wilson 6). Cory is unable to escape his father 's control and is forced to live his life the way his father intends. Cory is justifiably angered and takes a stand against his father by not attending his funeral to take back his father 's power over him. This specific incident shows just how deeply rooted the conflict between them was and the extent of the dysfunction in their relationship that creates a level of unhappiness for

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