Elusive Perfection in Wilsons Fences Essay - 968 Words

The play, Fences, presents a slice of life in a black tenement and is set in the late 1950s, through 1965. The main character, Troy Maxson, is a garbage collector. Throughout the play he rebels and frustrates as he struggles for fairness in a society which seems to offer none. His actions and behavior towards his family can be interpreted by a reader as those of a violent and bad father. However, soon one notices that beneath a mask of cruelty and toughness there is an individual who takes responsibility for his family no matter how difficult circumstances may seem. Hence, he is a good father who tries to keep his family together and provide necessities for them. As one reads the play, he or she starts†¦show more content†¦Troy understands that he had hurt his son by not signing the permission papers. However, being an excellent baseball player himself, he learned that chances for a black man are not always equal in this country. He boldly believes that the white men will not let his son Cory get anywhere with that football stuff and doesn?t want him to be hurt just like he was. It is exemplified in Troy?s words, ?I decided seventeen year ago that boy wasn?t getting involved in no sports. Not after what they did to me in the sports.? It is hard for Troy to live in the present having one foot in the past and one in the future. Hence, the relationship between him, his wife and son becomes complicated. He doesn?t realize that times have changed and black men have more rights than before. Gradually, the relationship between Troy, Rose and Cory starts to deteriorate. Troy starts to cheat on his wife. His sexual infidelity and a subsequent child by another woman destroy his marriage with Rose. Nonetheless, he doesn?t abandon his family, everyday he goes to work and at the end of the week he gives his pay to Rose. Moreover, he doesn?t deny his daughter from another woman, and begs Rose to help him take care of her. He says, I?d appreciate it if you?d help me take care of her.? The relationship between him and