American Dream, Racism And Responsibility In Fences, By August Wilson

The American Dream, Racism and Responsibility
In the play Fences by August Wilson we learn about the character Troy Maxson. A husband and a father who works as a garbage man to make a living for his family. However Troy’s American Dream had consisted of becoming a baseball player in the League which Troy believes was shattered by Racism. Eventually the failure of his dream has caused him to suffer and made his families live a harsh life. Troy who was jailed for robbing a bank and killing a man was found guilty and sent to prison for fifteen years. There he learned to play the game of baseball and met Jim Bono, who would become a long time friend of his. Later when he was released from prison he was much older and had a record that would

When Rose says tells his that they are letting colored people into the game now and Jackie Robinson had to come first to pave the way. Troy replies by saying “I done seen a hundred niggers play baseball better than Jackie Robinson [...] come telling me I come along too early” (Wilson). I disagree with Troy because Jackie Robinson had patience and carried himself through hard times that I believe Troy could never bare to. Jackie who “was regarded as a role model: an exemplary human being, someone who didn't smoke or drink, who was not hostile and defiant, and who was likely to get along well with white players and baseball executives. Robinson himself wrote: "This player had to be one who could take abuse, name-calling, rejection by fans and sportswriters and by fellow players not only on opposing teams but on his own” (Koprince 351). Acknowledging the fact that in comparison to Troy, who has a criminal history, drinking problem and issues to where he can’t control his anger, it certainly seems as if he should not be able to stand as one of the first African American baseball players to step into the league. Although it makes sense that Troy was not a good fit to pave the way into the league for others, he was somewhat correct on the racism that conflicted with letting African American players into the league. "Josh was

When Cory asks his father why he never liked him? Troy responds back by saying “Like you? I go out of here every morning ... bust my butt ... putting up with them crackers every day ... cause I like you? You about the biggest fool I ever saw.(Pause.)It's my job. It's my responsibility! [...] You my flesh and blood. Not 'cause I like you! Cause it's my duty to take care of you. I owe a responsibility to you” (Wilson ). Though the story Troy controls Cory by not letting him play football and telling him to get a job because Troy feels like he owes his son the responsibility of not going somewhere where me fail, such as in sports like Troy himself. Responsibility also plays a huge part because before Troy went to prison he was married to another woman whom he had a son with named Lyon. It appears as if Troy had missed so many years of showing responsibility to his first child and now he is making it up with Cory by pushing him around. Responsibility can also be seen when Troy lends money to Lyon, although he tells him he has to work on his on to make his money he still gives it to him because he knows he owes him for all the years he had left him during his imprisonment. Also Troy, “Having been forced to leave one wife through imprisonment perhaps also influences indirectly Troy's decision to leave Rose--figuratively--in the current action of the play. It is a reflection of the mental defeat