Slavery in America lasted for over four hundred years and affected more than fifteen million men, women, and children. During those years African Americans were starved, shackled, raped, whipped, and had many other terrible acts done to them. Even though slavery was abolished in 1865, the effects continue and carry on through generations. For example, African Americans continued to eat chitlins (pig intestines), black-eyed peas, and okra because those were undesirable scraps given by slave owners. Similar to the generational trauma that slaves have passed down, Troy carried his trauma into his relationships with his children in August Wilson’s play Fences. This trauma includes having a skewed idea of the responsibilities of being a father, …show more content…
In addition, Cory should forgive Troy because he did respect, think highly, and love his children, he just didn’t know how to show it due to his past trauma as a child. Troy talks about the effects of his childhood on multiple occasions. From his mother leaving suddenly when he was eight, to his father in essence, trying to sexually assault his girlfriend, and his father not being emotionally present. In short, Troy has been through a lot and all these specific moments reiterate the idea of tough love and independence for Troy. These traumatizing moments affect the way Troy interacts with his kids, specifically Cory. For instance, when Troy is talking to Rose about Cory playing football, he immediately compares his baseball career to this situation with Cory. Troy tells Rose “I don’t want him to be like me”. I want him to move as far from my life as he can. I wish him that.” (Act I, Scene III) This statement shows that Troy wants Cory to have more than he had. In essence, he doesn't want to waste his life on a sport like he …show more content…
This conversation undoubtedly shows that Troy was thinking and talking about Cory to Raynell and maybe other people, but he probably is too scared to reach out due to some of his trust issues. Also, it seems like Troy is hoping that Cory will come back home eventually, as evidenced by the items being kept in “ Cory’s room” like the football. Finally, Cory should forgive Troy because he is trying to guide Cory and Lyons to the best of his abilities, even if some of his guidance doesn't have the best outcome. For instance, while Lyon is asking Troy for $10 as a loan, Troy tells Lyon, “I told you I know some people down there. I can get you on the road if you want to work.” (Act I, Scene I). Troy is telling Lyon this information because he wants him to have a more steady income and a “regular job”, so Lyon stops asking him for
Growing up, Cory does not understand Troy and he certainly does not want to become anything like him. In the end of the play Rose tells Cory he is just like Troy Maxson all over again. Cory is offended by this and refuses to accept it. Even though he despised Troy his whole childhood,
I believe that Troy can be a good parent but, also a bad parent because he is very strict when it comes to what Cory wants, .For Raynell he is very caring and wants her to have the best life possible but, for Lyons he doesn't care as much because he wasn't there when he was growing up. When it comes to Cory and his life Troy is very strict. Especially about sports. While Troy and Rose were talking, Troy said “The white man ain't gonna let him get nowhere with that football (Wilson 8),” Troy knows how it was when he was into sports.
Troy was jealous of his son but also protective because he didn’t want Cory to deal with the same treatment he had to deal with from being a black athlete during these times. Cory also knew Troy is jealous of him when he says “Just cause you didn’t have a chance! You just scared I’m gonna be better than you, that’s all” (Wilson
Considering how Cory had to question his father over love, it shows to the readers that Cory doesn’t feel validated. However, as both Troy and Cory have different ideals about parenting, in Troy ’s mind he believes he is doing a fantastic job at parenting Cory. Troy believes because “It’s [his] job. [His] responsibility [to] sleep [Cory] behind [his] bedclothes.
However, the readers are able to understand Troy’s decision because it is not only because of his tragic flaw, but also from his fatherly responsibilities. He wants Cory to have a stable job and have a good
Cory is very aware that his father is envious of his athletic accomplishments. Troy also has no respect for Lyons and he does not support his dream to be a musician.
Troy uses his past experiences as a slave to keep Cory from becoming a successful college football player and college student. Cory’s life is pretty much made up by his father’s decisions until he starts to show the audience that is no
When approached with the idea of his son Cory playing college football, Troy immediately refuses the proposition, claiming that he doesn't want Cory to suffer from the same sort of heartache. Cory sees college football as his way to advance his own life without the help of his parents, while, on the other hand, Troy sees it as a waste of time and orders him to get a job down at the A&P. Early on in the play, Troy refutes Cory’s plan of action.
Troy needs to show his child that nothing comes simple. In spite of the fact that his thought is for Cory to get a decent training, the way that Cory deceives Troy demonstrates his absence of admiration to his dad. His fantasy isn't seen as vital as a result of Troy's disappointment in his own fantasies and his absence of confidence in a games profession in a predominately white powerful society. Cory's outcomes for being deceptive with his dad were that he couldn't play football. A youngster without control could form into a tyke without limits who think they can do what they need.
Troy’s relationship with his son Cory is one that is rough from the beginning of the play. Troy and Cory’s relationship is a severed one, and the issue of football is their main conflict. Cory’s wishes to play college football first brought up by Rose in the early stages of the first act when Rose brings the issue up, Troy immediately disagrees with her. Troy refuses to let Cory play football because Cory has begun neglecting his work at home and his job. The ability of Troy to act as a father is questioned when he refuses to allow Cory to act on his dreams of playing college football. Parents are the ones who are supposed to support their children with their dreams. Why does Troy not support Cory like a father is supposed to? After discussing the issue with Rose further, Troy exclaims, “I don’t want him to be like me!” (1.1.39.). Troy’s issue with not wanting Cory to turn out like he did is a huge influence as to why he is constantly creating conflict with his son. He has
You hear very little detail of Troys past as a kid but it seems like he is taking out that emotional pain onto Cory. In the play there is a lot of talk about Troys past baseball skill, and from his point of view he believes that if he wasn’t black he would be one of the best baseball players. Because of the racism that he felt in his sport he holds his son back for the exact same reason while never fully understanding that times have changed. Troy is trying to keep his boy tough regardless if he is doing it the right way, the son asked him one day “How come you ain’t
Since he wasn’t able to hold up to the agreement, at the end of Act two, Troy calls the team coach and forbids Cory from playing football, ruining his chances of playing college football. Just like Troy, Cory now felt the pain of not achieving his dreams. Due to this pain, he begins to resent his father for ruining his ambitions. This created the main conflict between Troy and Cory and the eventual separation. Cory then leaves the house and joins the Marines and returned home after his father’s
Troy feels guilty for not being around for Lyons growing, instead, Troy was serving his fifteen years sentence. Lyons is thirty-four year old still getting financial support from Troy. However, he never urged Lyon to get another career. Instead, he gave up and let Lyon take advantage of him. But when it came to Cory, Troy was very assertive and short tempered. He refuses to sign the consent forms for Cory’s football draft and ruins his chances at a football career. There was a fearsome relationship between Troy and Cory. All Cory ever wanted was his father’s affection. He even asks Troy if he likes him. All Cory ever gotten from Troy was fear, he never knew if his father genuinely liked him or not. “You my flesh and blood. Not cause I like you! Cause it’s my duty to take care of you. I ain’t got to like you.”(Wilson 40).
One of the differences that complicate their relationship is that they have grown up in completely different time periods. A great deal has happened between the times when Troy was growing to the time period that Cory is growing up in. This issue itself causes many other concerns. For instance, Cory is a very talented athlete. He would like to play football in college and would probably receive a scholarship
It is obvious to the audience that Troy and Cory simply do not get along. The two are constantly bickering, mostly about Cory's dream to play football at the college level. Since playing baseball did not get Troy anywhere, he feels that football will not benefit Cory and that Cory should "get recruited in how to fix cars or something where he can make a living" (8). Troy constantly denounces Cory's dream and pressures his son to quit the highschool football team so that he can work at the local grocery store. The verbal abuse of Cory by Troy is enough to make Cory question whether or not his own father even likes him, but it is not until after Troy's affair with Alberta is out in the open that Troy and Cory's unhealthy relationship reaches a whole new level.