Troy
Extended Character Analysis
Troy Maxson is the protagonist of Wilson’s play and the patriarch of the Maxson family. At the start of the play, he is fifty-three-years-old and works with his friend Jim Bono as a garbage collector. He is characterized as a “large man with thick, heavy hands.” His “largeness,” as Wilson writes in the stage directions, “together with his blackness… informs his sensibilities and the choices he has made in his life.” He prides himself on being able to provide for his family. Troy is loud, outspoken, and sometimes crude. Although he swears often, he is “capable of rising to profound heights of expression.”
At the age of fourteen, Troy left his family to get away from his abusive father. Broke and alone, he resorted to stealing and received a 15-year prison sentence after robbing and allegedly killing a man. During his time in prison, he became a talented baseball player. After prison, he joined the "Negro Leagues." He hoped to join the major leagues after leaving prison, but could not due to racial discrimination. Since then, Troy has become embittered by racial injustices and the direction his life has taken.
When his son Cory expresses a desire to become a professional football player, Troy quickly dismisses the idea and forbids him from playing. He is furious to discover that Cory has quit his job at the A&P to focus on football. He forces Cory to get his job back and learn a trade. Although Troy loves Cory, he expresses his love for him in a very strict and domineering way. Troy had an abusive father and that influences how he expresses his love for Cory.
Troy believes that he is protecting Cory by preventing him from playing football; he does not want his son to fall prey to the same racial inequities he experienced many years ago. While Cory tries to persuade Troy that the world is different now, Troy continues to relive the past. Even with the time that has passed, he still harbors resentment about being barred from playing professional baseball, causing him to lash out at his wife, children, and friends.
Troy has a strong desire to control every aspect of his life, and in his hubris, claims that he will even fight death itself if necessary. Troy often fails to express himself effectively, and his wife Rose believes that he builds metaphorical fences in order to emotionally distance himself from others. He has an affair with a woman named Alberta in an effort to escape his mundane life. His affair, and the birth of his mistress’s daughter, pushes his loved ones further away. In the years preceding Troy’s death, Cory, like Troy, becomes estranged from his father. Following the discovery of Troy’s affair with Alberta, Rose stops speaking with Troy. By the end of the play, Troy has died. Despite their troubled relationships with Troy, his family members attend his funeral and attempt to remember him in a positive light.
Expert Q&A
Why was Troy imprisoned in Fences?
Troy was imprisoned in Fences for accidentally killing a man during a robbery. He was trying to protect himself after being shot, which led to the man's death. This experience significantly shaped his life, introducing him to baseball and his friend Bono, but also reinforcing emotional barriers and impacting his ability to connect with others after his release.
How would you assess the relationship between Troy and Rose?
The relationship between Troy and Rose is marked by contrast and complexity. Rose is depicted as a long-suffering, selfless woman who endures Troy's selfishness and infidelity, embodying resilience and commitment. In contrast, Troy is portrayed as nostalgic and entitled, often failing to appreciate Rose's sacrifices. Wilson uses their dynamic to highlight the broader struggles of black women, emphasizing Rose's optimism and dedication despite Troy's shortcomings.
Explain the situation where Troy uses the baseball analogy "That's strike one."
Troy uses the baseball analogy "That's strike one" when he discovers Cory has been neglecting his job and chores to play football. Viewing this as disrespect, Troy insists Cory quit football and return to work. The baseball metaphor reflects Troy's own thwarted dreams and highlights his inflexible, harsh parenting, reminiscent of his father's abuse. This behavior strains Troy's relationship with Cory, echoing the alienation Troy experienced with his father.
Considering the events in Fences, is Troy Maxson a good man?
Troy Maxson is a complex character whose flaws overshadow his virtues, making it difficult to label him as a "good man." He is responsible and hardworking but is also selfish, unfaithful, and unable to connect emotionally with his family. His actions harm those he loves, and his bitterness and refusal to accept responsibility further alienate him. His redemption comes through the forgiveness of others, not through his own actions, highlighting his inability to overcome his weaknesses.
What traits make Troy Maxson an unlikeable protagonist in Fences?
Traits which make Troy Maxson in Fences an unlikeable protagonist include his adultery and disrespect for his wife, his constant disrespect for his son's ambitions, and his violent temperament.
How does Troy's behavior cause suffering for others in Fences?
Troy's behavior in "Fences" causes suffering for others due to his selfishness and inability to adapt. He prevents his son Cory from pursuing a football scholarship, creating a rift that ruins Cory's dreams. His affair with Alberta deeply hurts his wife Rose, leading to their estrangement. Additionally, Troy's ignorance results in his brother Gabriel being institutionalized, further showcasing his detrimental impact on his family.
Does Troy's character in Fences develop, or do perceptions of him merely change? Why?
Troy’s character does not develop over the course of the play Fences. Troy’s finds it difficult to maintain personal relationships because his perspectives became fixed earlier in his life. In trying to compensate for his disappointments, Troy valued being a provider for his family. He rationalizes the destructive, selfish components of his behavior as insignificant compared to material support. This lack of development costs him his relationships with his wife, son, and new baby.
What good deeds has Troy Maxson done that should allow him to enter heaven?
Troy Maxson deserves to enter heaven because he has shown deep care for his family and has suffered significantly due to racism. Despite his flaws, like committing adultery, he redeems himself by raising his daughter from the affair. His concern for his sons' futures, coupled with enduring systemic discrimination, underscores his complex character and moral struggle, suggesting he merits salvation.
Will Cory and Lyons repeat Troy's mistakes in Wilson's "Fences"? What could break this cycle?
In Fences by August Wilson, Lyons Maxson is mostly following in his father Troy's footsteps, making similar mistakes and encountering similar difficulties. Cory Maxson, however, is following a different path by joining the military, and he seems to be making a different life for himself than that of Troy or Lyons.
Why doesn't Troy Maxson deserve our sympathy?
Troy Maxson does not deserve sympathy due to his harmful choices impacting his family. He undermines his sons' dreams, like preventing Cory from playing football, and exploits his disabled brother's benefits. His affair with Alberta deeply hurts his wife, Rose. Despite opportunities to heal his own pain and improve relationships, Troy fails to change, continuing to inflict emotional harm. While his family forgives him at his funeral, his actions remain unsympathetic.
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