Being the Bread Winner

As a man, Troy of course is looked at as the bread winner of the family. Back in the 1950’s, African Americans were still fighting for civil rights, and lots of them struggled to find jobs. Troy works for the white man as a garbage collector and gets paid every Friday, and his family still struggles living day to day. I think that makes Troy feel almost less of a man with the fact that he cannot fully support his family. In the book he is talking to Rose and says “woman… I do the best I can do. I come in here every Friday. I carry a sack of potatoes and a bucket of lard. You all line up at the door with your hands out. I give you the lint from my pockets. I give you my sweat and blood. I ain’t got no tears. I done spent them.” (Wilson 40). That quote shows a weak side of Troy. He wants so desperately to be able to provide more for his family but can’t. He even took the money that was given to his brother after his injuries in the war.

Standards in our modern day society for men are much different than how it was in the 1950’s. In the 1950’s women weren’t known to work and help pay the bills; it was pretty much all up to the men. Modern standards for men would be to have a great education, and become a business man of some sort. Going above and beyond with purchases are also a modern society thing. Troy would not be able to live up to the expectations because he doesn’t make enough money.