troy and cory's relationship in fences essay

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Fences by August Wilsons: Critical Analysis

The central theme in Fences by August Wilsonsrevolves around the construction of boundaries, both physical and metaphorical, to delineate familial and personal spaces.

Titles and Themes in Fences by August Wilsons

Table of Contents

The central theme in Fences by August Wilsons revolves around the construction of boundaries, both physical and metaphorical, to delineate familial and personal spaces. As Robert Frost aptly noted, “Good fences make good neighbors,” a sentiment echoed by the character Bono when Troy, the protagonist, fails to grasp the rationale behind Rose’s request for a fence to be built. Bono’s pragmatic understanding of this adage stems from his outsider perspective, enabling him to perceive the significance of such boundaries more acutely than Troy and Cory, who are entrenched in their familial roles. Moreover, Bono’s astuteness extends to his awareness of Troy’s extramarital affair with Alberta, a revelation that underscores Rose’s subconscious apprehensions about her husband’s fidelity.

Characters in Fences by August Wilsons

Indeed, Troy faces considerable challenges in providing for his family, given the limited opportunities available to him in his position. As a result, he seeks solace and escape in various outlets, including love, alcohol, and music. His relationship with Alberta, which Bono is aware of, serves as one manifestation of this quest for refuge. When Rose insists on building a fence in front of their home, Troy and Cory are initially perplexed by her request. However, Bono astutely recognizes the symbolic significance behind Rose’s desire for a fence, articulating that “Some people build fences to keep people out and other people build fences to keep people in.” This insight suggests that Rose’s intention may be twofold: to preserve her relationship with Troy and to create a barrier that prevents external influences from disrupting their familial bonds. The title of the play, “Fences,” thus assumes a profound thematic significance, encapsulating the themes of boundaries, containment, and the complexities of interpersonal relationships explored throughout the narrative.

Racism in Fences by August Wilsons

Racism, particularly discriminatory racialism, serves as a pervasive and poignant element that shapes the experiences of the Maxson family in “Fences.” As an African American family, the Maxsons navigate a society where racial prejudice and inequality are deeply ingrained. Troy’s occupation as a garbage collector reflects the limited opportunities available to black individuals in a society where they are systematically marginalized and discriminated against. His thwarted dreams of becoming a professional baseball player further highlight the systemic barriers faced by African Americans, as despite possessing the talent and potential, racial segregation prohibited him from achieving his aspirations.

The metaphorical significance of Troy’s past aspirations underscores the broader theme of racial injustice and the insidious ways in which it restricts the opportunities and aspirations of black individuals. Despite his capabilities and ambitions, Troy’s race serves as a formidable barrier to his advancement, relegating him to a subordinate position in society. His application to become a truck driver exemplifies his awareness of the racial prejudices that permeate the societal landscape, as he confronts the pervasive belief that only white individuals are deemed fit for certain professions. Troy’s refusal to allow Cory to pursue soccer further illustrates the internalization of racism within his psyche, as he perpetuates the cycle of racial discrimination by imposing limitations on his son’s aspirations. Through Troy’s experiences and actions, August Wilson adeptly portrays the enduring impact of racism on individuals and families, shedding light on the pervasive and systemic nature of racial injustice in American society.

Fence in Fences by August Wilsons

Indeed, in “Fences” by August Wilson, each character experiences both gains and losses throughout the narrative. Troy Maxson, for instance, loses his wife Rose when he engages in an extramarital affair with Alberta. However, he also gains a renewed appreciation for Rose’s importance in his life, as evidenced by his return with their daughter Raynell after Alberta’s death. Similarly, Cory experiences frustration and resentment towards his father for preventing him from pursuing his dream of joining the football team. Nevertheless, he ultimately achieves academic success by graduating from high school and later finds fulfillment in his decision to enlist in the Marines.

Rose emerges as a winner in her own right, despite Troy’s initial neglect of her, as she gains Raynell as a daughter through Troy’s affair. Gabriel, despite his mental disability, contributes to the family by helping to pay the mortgage, highlighting his resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Bono, Troy’s friend, serves as a catalyst for positive change in Troy’s life, as he helps to salvage their marriage by revealing Troy’s secret affair to Rose. In this manner, each major character in “Fences” experiences a blend of triumphs and setbacks, reflecting the complexity of human experiences and relationships portrayed in the play.

Works Cited: Fences by August Wilsons

• Wessling, Joseph H . “Wilson’s Fences.” The Explicator 57.2 (1999): 123-127.
• Baharvand, Peyman Amanolahi. “The Failure of the American Dream in August Wilson’s Fences.” International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies 5.4 (2017): 69-75.

Relevant Questions about Fences by August Wilsons

• How does the symbolism of the fence in “Fences” by August Wilson contribute to the thematic exploration of barriers, both physical and metaphorical, within the African American experience?
• In what ways does the protagonist, Troy Maxson, embody the struggles and aspirations of African American men in 1950s America, and how does his character arc reflect broader societal issues?
• How does August Wilson use the familial dynamics and relationships within the Maxson family to explore themes of responsibility, duty, and the impact of past traumas on present-day relationships in “Fences”?

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Relationship Between Cory and Troy in Movie Fences

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Works cited

• Wilson, A. (2016). Fences: A play. Plume.
• The Criterion Collection. (2017). Fences. https://www.criterion.com/films/28777-fences
• Ebert, R. (2016, December 21). Fences Movie Review & Film Summary (2016). Roger Ebert. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/fences-2016
• Halterman, J. (2016, December 23). Viola Davis and Denzel Washington give knockout performances in ‘Fences’. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/movies/viola-davis-denzel-washington-give-knockout-performances-fences-n697266
• Kushner, T. (2016, December 23). ‘Fences’: A Great Play Comes to the Screen. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/23/movies/fences-review-denzel-washington-viola-davis.html
• Lewis, R. (2017). The Radical Tragicomedy of August Wilson's "Fences." MELUS, 42(3), 15–32. https://doi.org/10.1093/melus/mlx011
• Raboteau, E. (2016, December 21). Fences: Film Review. Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/fences-film-review-956175/
• Scott, A. O. (2016, December 14). Review: Denzel Washington and Viola Davis Plunge Into August Wilson’s ‘Fences’. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/movies/fences-review-denzel-washington-viola-davis.html
• Taylor, C. (2016, December 22). ‘Fences’ is a powerful, emotional journey. The Boston Globe. https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2016/12/21/fences-powerful-emotional-journey/YRYUMb0XIJhOCv0dyYjyJM/story.html
• Williams, K. (2017). ‘Fences’: From Stage to Screen. The Journal of Popular Culture, 50(4), 793–796. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpcu.12560
• Zinman, G. (2016, December 22). August Wilson’s ‘Fences’ comes to vivid life onscreen. The Boston Globe. https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2016/12/21/august-wilson-fences-comes-vivid-life-onscreen/UH3oOqSVpYIkabKwPdAzRK/story.html

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Fences — Themes in August Wilson’s Fences: Navigating Dreams and Struggles

Themes in August Wilson’s Fences: Navigating Dreams and Struggles

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Words: 620 |

Published: Jan 31, 2024

Words: 620 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

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Dreams and aspirations, struggles and obstacles, interplay between dreams and struggles.

• Wilson, A. (1985). Fences. Penguin.
• Sandberg, L. (2006). Troy Maxson and the African American Experience in August Wilson’s[Title of Play]. University of Agder Master’s Thesis.
• Barnett, (2017). August Wilson and the Long Civil Rights Movement. Journal of African American Studies, 21(2), 253-268.

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Father-Son Dynamics in “Fences” by A. Wilson Essay

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The central idea I will discuss is the theme of father and son dynamics shown by Troy and Bono with their fathers. As Troy said explicitly in Act I, Scene IV, his father was a constant cause of conflict and was filled with tension and hate at times. Troy’s father acts as the role model for a cautionary story (Wilson 1415). Troy, on the other hand, is entirely perplexed and ultimately emulates his father’s behavior. Despite Troy’s accusations that his father was wicked and the devil, his father has continued to beat him brutally. Troy does not go out of his way to demonstrate to Cory how much he cared about Lyons throughout their relationship to compensate for his missed time. When Lyons tries to get Troy to watch him perform in Act I Scene IV, it serves as an excellent demonstration of their utterly opposed outlooks on life. However, in the paper, various scenes are precisely analyzed and various incidences are revealed, which portrays the existing differences and friendships among the protagonists.

Cory must face the burden of his father’s resentment, and his inability to comprehend what a father-son relationship must perform a crucial part in the scene’s climax. The relationships that a person develops throughout their life have a profound effect on their character. The drama is set at the Maxson family’s middle-class home, which is enclosed by an incomplete fence. This illustration represents the typical Black American household navigating a discriminatory and unequal society. Due to this, Troy’s entire existence is condensed into a specific spot in his domain, and Troy is its defender.

Troy and Bono inform Lyons about their southern upbringings and experiences with problematic dads in Act One, Scene Four. Despite their pessimism, Troy and Bono’s generation’s recollections may be compared to Lyons and Cory’s (Wilson 1418). When slavery was abolished, black people were compelled to work as sharecroppers, including Troy’s father. According to Troy, his father was so vicious that no woman would remain with him for an extended time, and therefore he was mainly raised alone. Troy’s father spotted the runaway animal as Troy was caring for his father’s prized mule (Wilson 1427). When Troy’s father discovered him with a girl he adored, he severely whipped Troy with leather reins until he submitted.

Troy was always defeated, regardless of how long he lived. Troy’s father sexually abused the minor child out of rage at him for failing to obey his demands, demonstrating that this man’s father was considerably more evil than previously assumed. Troy was formerly afraid of his father but has grown to appreciate him. According to Troy, the experience marked a turning point in his development as a man (Wilson 1428). Even though he was impoverished and homeless, he couldn’t bear the thought of living with someone who committed such atrocities. His isolation from his father shaped Troy’s view of manhood after the violence and betrayal of his father. One of Troy’s few redeeming characteristics was his keen sense of duty, which he valued highly. Troy became the primary earner for his eleven children when his father died.

On the other hand, Bono’s parents retained vivid recollections. Despite their differences, neither Bono nor Troy’s dad served as a father or provider for Bono and his family, but Troy’s father did. Bono’s father passed away when he was nine years old after a protracted battle with illness. Bono’s father struggled with a condition known as “The Walking Blues” that made it difficult for him to remain in one spot for extended periods or change partners often. Bono was unaware and unable to locate his father (Wilson 1435). His father declared, echoing the thoughts of many other African Americans of his age. After their release from slavery, many African-Americans migrated to the northern states, especially metropolitan areas, searching for better possibilities. This occurrence is referred regarded as the Great Migration. Bono has chosen not to have children to prevent a repeat of his father’s turbulent behavior. Contrary to Bono’s worries, the father’s attitude was not inherited from his mother; he adopted it to deal with his unique position. He has never breached his commitment to Lucille in 18 years.

They were nurtured differently, yet their journeys to adulthood were startlingly identical to those of their father. Troy could only spend time with his mother during Lyons’ early years since Troy spent most of that time imprisoned. Lyons, who grew up in a more prosperous household than Troy, believes he has earned the right to pursue his creative ambitions independently (Wilson 1442). Despite Troy’s absence from Lyons’ life, he gently steals money from the young man and returns it. Cory ultimately decides to leave home after an altercation with Troy, which parallels Troy’s conflict with Cory’s paternal grandpa. Troy and Cory assert that to be considered a man, one must leave the person who reared him after a brutal battle.” To put it mildly, moving into adulthood is challenging.

Wilson, August. “Fences” The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature. 2nd ed., edited by Michael Meyer and D. Quentin Miller, Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2020, pp. 1408-1453.

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IvyPanda . "Father-Son Dynamics in “Fences” by A. Wilson." November 24, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/father-son-dynamics-in-fences-by-a-wilson/.