Broken Bonds: Father-Son Relations in Fences

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Fences by August Wilson paints a picture of African-American life in the 1950’s. The play is dramatized by the father-son relationship between Troy and Cory, which is complex, perplexing, and ultimately emotionally destructive. Sport is theoretically supposed to be a means of father-son bonding and a way to bring fathers and sons closer together. However, in this play sport acts as a barrier between Troy and Cory and prevents them from ever having a close relationship. Troy is unwilling to allow Cory to live the life he imagines, and his restraint on Cory’s pursuit of playing collegiate football creates a relationship full of tension and hurt between the two. Despite Cory’s attempts to escape from the burden of his father’s motives, he ends

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