Troy and Cory Maxson's Relationship in Fences

Table of Contents

• Conflicting Aspirations
• Generational Differences
• Troy's Shortcomings
• Conclusion
• Bibliography

August Wilson's Fences: The Tug-of-War Between Troy and Cory Maxson

August Wilson's play, Fences, digs deep into the messy father-son relationship between Troy and Cory Maxson. Set in Pittsburgh during the 1950s, this story unravels how a dad and his boy get tangled up in their dreams and differences. Troy used to swing a bat for a living, but he's all tangled up in his past while trying to raise his son, Cory, who's got his sights set on football. It's not a smooth ride. Tension bubbles up and boils over as both characters are changed forever. Let's take a closer look at what makes their relationship tick, how different dreams pull them apart, what generational gaps mean for them, and how Troy's own struggles mess things up.

Conflicting Aspirations

One big thorn in the side of Troy and Cory's relationship is their clashing goals. Troy never got to be the big baseball star he dreamed of being thanks to racial segregation back in his day. So, he's kind of projecting that onto Cory. He doesn't want Cory chasing what he thinks are pipe dreams of playing football professionally. Instead, he pushes for something more "practical," like getting an education or learning a trade. In one part of the play, Troy lays it out bluntly: "The white man ain't gonna let you get nowhere with that football noway...You go on and get your book-learning so you can work yourself up" (Wilson, 1985). His words make it clear—he sees football as just fluff.

But here's where it gets interesting—Cory isn't backing down from his dream without a fight. His commitment to football shows he's got grit and wants to find himself on his terms. Despite all the friction with his old man, Cory’s pursuit kind of forces them both to see each other differently by the end.

Generational Differences

The gap between generations plays its part too. See, Troy grew up when racial segregation was the norm—it shaped him pretty deeply. So when he tells Cory stuff like "The white man ain't gonna let you get nowhere with that football" (Wilson, 1985), it's 'cause he thinks history will repeat itself for Cory. But young Cory? He’s got hope; he’s not letting yesterday’s limitations put chains on tomorrow.

Troy’s parenting style doesn’t help either—he’s pretty strict and even uses physical discipline sometimes. It's old-school authority clashing hard with Cory's wish for some freedom. And yeah, this rebellion isn’t just about teenage angst; it’s about growing up and maybe even seeing past those generational walls.

Troy's Shortcomings

Troy’s not just stuck in the past because of society; he’s got personal issues too that mess things up with Cory. Even though he cares about his kid deep down, there are rough edges—like bitterness over missed dreams—that put distance between them.

A big blow-up comes when Cory finds out about Troy cheating on Rose with Alberta. That crushes any respect Cory might have had left for his dad—and let's face it—makes their already shaky bond rockier.

Troy also struggles with showing emotions or communicating openly—which could really have helped here! Instead of being vulnerable or supportive when needed most, he keeps it all bottled up tight under rigid beliefs about life.

Conclusion

The connection between Troy and Cory in Fences is riddled with conflict but doesn't mean there's no room for growth or understanding eventually found along their rocky journey together if they're willing! At first glance what seems like irreparable damage caused by mismatched desires & generational clashes turns out maybe leading towards forgiveness—or at least empathy—as time wears on...And remember folks: family ties everywhere can echo similar themes seen within Maxson household!

Bibliography

• Wilson, A. (1985). Fences. Plume.