Troy's Values In The Film Fences, By August Wilson

It's interesting to see how your point of view is different from mine. I thought the opposite from you, in that Troy's dream, was denied because I viewed Baseball as his main dream; while rose's was deferred because she wanted a happy family and relationship. While I still stand with my point of view, yours is very insightful and enlightening. I never thought of viewing this in the aspect that maybe Troy's dream was fulfilled, because people can have more than one dream and baseball might not have been his main dream. I can see that troy did do as he wanted, while not exactly right, he went to look for his happiness. He got the promotion he wanted in his job and found happiness with another woman. On the other hand, rose did not go out to

That setback early in his life carried on with him. Troy is often angry without any reasons. He often takes this anger out on his son Cory. He doesn’t take the role of a good father figure; he sees Cory as a responsibility. His childhood affected the way he is as a father.

After understanding the protagonist’s heroic side, it is necessary to understand that he also had a tragic downfall and that he has certain weaknesses. Troy made sure to provide for his family materialistically, but unfortunately did not expose too much of his love to his children. He was able to reluctantly give Lyons ten dollars a week but that was not enough to help him make a living. Lyons states "I just stay with my music because that's the only way I can find to live in the world" (1.1.153). His dream is to be a musician. But maybe he needed more than ten dollars a week to conquer his dream? Maybe he needed some father to son affection?

Troy pushes his wife and his son out of his life by attempting to make them see this life in a very narrow perspective. By doing this "he cannot compromise, nor can he ask for forgiveness," (Shannon 383).

When raising children, everything you “learn” on how to be a parent comes from your own parents or the ones that took care of you. Troy’s behaviors or attitudes towards his two sons are reflections of his own experience with his father when he was younger. He had a very rough childhood growing up, to the point where he wishes he never met his father. "Sometimes I wish I hadn't known my daddy. He ain't cared nothing about no kids. [...] But I'll say this for him...he felt a responsibility toward us." (I,iv, pg 50). His father had the same attitude that Troy has with his two sons. They viewed caring

Troy does not want to accept the changes in the world because that would cause him to accept the death of his own dreams.

Later in the story we learn that the misuse of Troy’s power not only lead him into losing a friend, but he lose his lover. Troy and Rose separated at the end of the story because Troy’s  misuse of power led him into taken advantage Rose. Rose stated “ What about me? When’s my time to enjoy life?”( 74). The phrase “What about me”, shows how Rose finally stands up to Troy by questioning him, the questions she ask also express her feelings about Troy treat her. Rose feel as though if Troy can go out and have fun or do what he want to do so can she. Once Troy realize he does not have as much power over

For Troy however, he grew up fighting for his American dream because everywhere he went, was met with hate and an unwelcoming presence in his community from the whites of his city. Troy demands that his family live practical, responsible lives

home because of his cruel father. W. P. Kenny details how Troy had to ―harden himself‖ from

One of Troy’s biggest character traits is that he is very hardworking. He does what he needs to do to insure his family stays afloat. “What’s the matter, you too good to carry people’s rubbish? Where you think that ten dollars you talking about come from? I’m suppose to haul people’s rubbish and give my money to you ‘cause you too lazy to work. You too lazy to work and wanna know why you ain’t got what I got.”(1197) Troy’s son who does not work asks him for ten dollars; ten dollars goes a long way and Troy does not make much so he works hard for his money that is really needed around the house also believes in working to in order to have anything. The work he does takes a toll on him, he does all that he can and it leaves him exhausted. “Woman...I do the best I can do. I come in here every Friday, I carry a sack of potatoes and bucket of lard. You all line up at the door with your hands out. I give you the lint from my pockets. I give you my sweat and blood. I ain’t got no tears, I done spent them.” (1208) Troy works to give his family everything he can and he is tired.

He made mistakes and so does everyone, because no one is perfect. Though he seemed angry, Troy cared for his wife and sons. His first son, Lyons, always came by and ask for $10. He begs and begs and in the end, he always find that money in his pocket. Troy knows that when he gets paid, Lyons will stop by and ask for money.

3. Troy has a job, a loving wife, and children with talent in music and athletics. Why is he still unhappy? What is the root of his unhappiness?

He abandons these responsibilities time and time again, and is never sorry for it. He goes as far as cheating on his wife, never apologizing for it. He does it to escape his world and the problems that come with it, and doesn’t understand why Rose is not empathetic and understanding. He says “Rose, you’re not listening to me. I’m trying the best I can to explain it to you. It’s not easy for me to admit that I been standing in the same place for eighteen years,” (Wilson 70). One can see here that he doesn’t understand why she is upset, and thinks she should be understanding and compassionate. He never truly realizes that he was the one in the

Responsibilities can cause people to be a responsible person, but sometimes it could be scary and people might experience more pressure on it. In the play, fences, by August Wilson, the main character Troy has also felt in the same way about the responsibilities. Which cause him to be unable to find or separate between love and responsibility. In this play, it gives the reader the vibe that he is a greedy, responsible, funny, sad, lonely, impotent, and caring person but also an affectless person. All he does is hurt people and their feelings. Is that who he is? Or what’s the reason behind this? What make him to do or be like who he is today?

In addition to these negative feelings, Troy also had another side; he was a responsible man. However, his responsibility as a family man will conduct him to