Troy?s relationship with his father was one, which produced much tension, and had a strong influence on Troy?s relationships with his loved ones as an adult. He had very little respect for his father because his father did not, in Troy?s mind, make his family a priority. At an early age, Troy?s father beat him ?like there was no tomorrow? because he caught Troy getting ?cozy? with a girl (549; I,4).
Fences presents many aspect of life that we experience day to day basis. Respect appears to be one of the key aspect of Fences. Troy wants respect from his family because he is the man of the house while acting insensitive and uncaring to his wife, Rose, his brother, Gabriel and his son, Cory. Troy had an abusive father, he never like him. Troy run away from his house to be on his own at a very young age because he never receive the love and respect he desires from his family, so he come around to repeat what his father had done because of the failure to see that the time had changed around him.
For years, he traveled for his work many times that he never had the opportunity to truly get to know his own sons. As a result he did not love them as a father should, his love for his son, Biff, was based on his achievements as an athlete. And when Biff was not able to go to University of Virginina, Willy was so devastated that he no longer loved Biff how he once did before. He was disgusted that Biff had become a bum, Biff had different jobs working at farms. Willy wants Biff to be the successful man that he never was and feels that Biff will not achieve success in the occupation he has taken.
Cory is persistent in pursuing his dream while Troy gives up on his, which makes him bitter. Both men are independent and stubborn, yet they make different choices in life. Troy and Cory have different views on life which causes them to disagree on practically everything. Cory wants his father to sign a paper that will allow a recruiter to look at him play football. Troy tells Cory that he needs to work instead of play, so he will not sign Cory’s paper.
In the play Fences Troy Maxon struggles and ultimately fails to separate himself from the model of parenting that he himself had to endure. Troy simply doesn’t know how to be the man that he wishes he could. Troy in many ways becomes his father. As a result he seems to be the same kind of father that he hated so much. Troy goes to say, “I wish I hadn’t know my daddy.
Biff made his dreams in life very clear, but instead of supporting them and encouraging his son, Willy chose to shame his son for not choosing a career that would earn him a lot of money. Willy becomes very angry whenever Biff comes home to visit because he is reminded that his son does not share the same vision for the future that he does. When Biff comes home Willy lectures Linda about their son and says, “Biff Loman is lost. In the greatest country in the world a young man with such-personal attractiveness, gets lost” (16). Willy shows that he is very disappointed in the way that Biff has chosen to live his life, and he feels that Biff is still lost, even though Biff has stated that he is doing what makes him happy.
So when Jim, a runaway slave meets up with him on the river, he naturally thinks he must help his former slave reach freedom. Although Hucks second voice constantly bothers him because he isn't doing what the average white man should, he still wants to help out a friend and even maybe find his own meaning of freedom throughout the journey. Huck hasn't ever had a real good father figure in his life or any family, and that is exactly what contributes to him not fitting in with the rest of society . Huck’s mom died when he was just a young lad and he doesn't have any brothers or sisters, only his abusive dad, Pap. Huck grew up practically raising himself with no education or supervision, this is the reason he prefers to live with Pap in the cabin rather than living with Widow Douglas.
Wilson references stories from Troy's past to convey the reason behind Troy's frustration and actions toward his children. To begin to understand Troy, we must observe the tumultuous relationship between Troy and his father. Troy's father was most likely born into slavery, or at least slavery-like conditions. This means that his father probably never had a true family of his own, as his brothers, sisters, and parents would not have lived together. Troy's father had little experience in having and maintaining a family like atmosphere in their home, and this reflects greatly upon Troy.
Don’t you strike out” (Wilson 2.2). This clearly exhibits the barrier and tension building between the father and son. Ultimately, the fences Troy and Cory build between one another leads to Cory leaving the house and joining the Marines (Metzger 2-3). The fence built between Cory and his father hinders them from having a loving father-son
He is angry at society for his stature in life, he feels as though many things especially race has prevented him from moving up in life. Especially with the baseball career he felt that he could have had, where he felt discrimination played a big part in his failures. He also is ashamed by many pieces in his life, which is highlighted with his home and his job. With his house he is embarrassed by the fact that the only reason he could afford it was through his brother, Gabriel, war compensation money. We first hear about the fence, when Troy wonders where Cory has gone off too, who was supposed to help him build the fence.