In the book Fences by August Wilson, Troy is a man who doesn’t believe that African Americans can have have the same opportunities as whites because of his past. He abelieves the way he thinks of life is the way life has to go. When Troy was young he dreamed of going professional in baseball but because of his racial appearance he was not able to go pro. Racism plays an important role in Troy’s life. Having the experience of not being accepted because of the color of his skin made him look at life differently causing him to make certain decisions which caused great conflicts with his family.
One of the impulsive decisions that Troy does has to do with his younger son Cory. Cory had many scouts looking at him and based on the college scholarship that was offered to him it looked like Cory had a bright future in playing football but Troy completely prohibits him from playing and says that Cory will not get “involved in no sports. Not after what they did to me in the sports” (Wilson 1159). Since Troy faced discrimination in his life, he assumed that his son Cory would face the same issues because of the color of his skin. Troy argued that because of his skin color, he was prevented from playing in the Major Leagues. Cory says later in the story that ‘Papa done went up to the school and told Coach Zellman I can’t play football no more. …Told him to tell the recruiter not to come….Just cause you didn’t have a chance! You just scared I’m gonna be better than you, that’s all.’ (Wilson 1171) Troy does not see that by not letting Cory play football he is doing exactly what society did to him, which is prohibiting him from achieving his dreams. Cory says, “You ain’t never gave me nothing! You ain’t never done nothing but hold me back.” (Wilson 1178) If Cory had got the chance to play football in college, he could have been able to get a college education while playing a sport he loved. It seems that Troy is still affected from the rejection he got when he was trying to play professional that it completely blinds him from seeing that Cory actually has better chance because like what Rose (Troy’s Wife) says “They got lots of colored boys playing ball now. Baseball and football” (Wilson 1159 ). Although he cares about Cory and he thinks by not allowing him to football is only for his own good so that he wouldn’t have to go through the same harsh experiences as he did, I believe that his stubborn decision wasn’t wise because it ended up causing multiple conflicts between Cory and himself.
Troy went through a lot in his past. Troy went to jail for 15 years. Situations like this is a path he does not want any of his sons to go down on. As a father he felt it was his job to protect his family from all of his past mistakes. Troy had an elder son from a previous relationship named Lyons. While Troy was in prison, Lyons did not have a dad growing up because of an impulsive decision Troy made when he was young. Lyons passion is to become musician. Lyons and Cory had the same mindset which was that they can do something with their lives in a society full of opportunities. Troy however does not see that being a musician is a serious thing. Troy says “You living the fast life, wanna be a musician, running around in them clubs and things.” (Wilson 1161). Troy sees Lyon’s dream as foolish because he is not getting any income from being a musician. Every time Troy gets paid, Lyon shows up and asks for a handout. Troy says “Only time I see this nigger is when he want something. That’s the only time I see him.” (Wilson 1161 )Troy does not feel comfortable giving out ten dollars because he feels like he is being taken advantage of. Troy sees Lyons as someone who is trying to take his hard-owned money which causes a conflict between their relationship.
Troy makes another impulsive decision by committing an affair with Alberta. Troy said he felt trapped in a marriage where he can not show his true self. He says “It’s not easy for me to admit that I’ve been standing in the same place for eighteen years!” (Wilson 1174) The reasoning behind his actions was that he felt like with all the responsibilities of being a father and provider for his family, he needed something to escape. Troy’s selfish act shows that he he was tired of being limited from baseball, his work and of his marriage. Rose was heart broken hearing that the man she gave her life to committed an affair with another woman. It seemed to have bothered her deeply when he said he needed an out from his priorities once in a while. Rose said “Don’t you think I ever wanted other things? Don’t you think I had dreams and hopes? What about my life? What about me. Don’t you think it ever crossed my mind to want to know other men? That I wanted to lay up somewhere and forget about my responsibilities? That I wanted someone to make me laugh so I could feel good? You not the only one who’s got wants and needs. But I held on to you, Troy. I took all my feelings, my wants and needs, my dreams…and I buried them inside you!” (Wilson 1174) She had committed her entire life to Troy and to her marriage and he ends up betraying her by not just having an affair but also having a baby with another woman. Because of his actions, Troy and Rose’s marriage is brutally jeopardized. Troy’s decisions in life has made himself distant away from his family.
Troy had went through a lot in his life. Troy had a very singular perspective on the world. He had a strict attitude because of how society viewed African Americans back in the 1950s. Troy cared a lot about his family even if he didn’t quite show it. Racism had been a struggle for him throughout his life and caused a lot of Troy’s bitterness towards life. When he went to jail he made sure that once he was out he would never go back. All of his rash decisions were influenced by his past. Whether it was denying Cory to play football, neglecting Lyons or breaking vows and promises in his marriage with Rose. Tension was caused in the family by the decisions he made that he thought was right.
