In this time period a man was more
expected to be the “bread winner” meaning they would be the one to have an
income and bring food home. While a woman would cook and clean and take of the
kids. In the play Troy even states, “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….”
(Wilson 40). Which shows how he is basically taking care of them and doing what
he has to do so the family can eat and have a roof over their head. Troy is
overall trying to be a good man, but I wouldn't necessarily say he is a good
man all the time. Although Troy doesn't cheat on his wife he is constantly
walking around another women’s house as well as buying other women drinks
(Wilson 3-4). Troy also likes to lie about things if it weren't for Rose to keep
him honest then no one would catch his lies and believe some of the crazy
things he says like when he is telling Bono about buying furniture from the “devil”
and having to pay him ten dollars every month for fifteen years when in reality
he made a deal with a white person (Wilson 15). As all people do Troy has a
weakness and his weakness is giving to others more than he has to. For example
Troy’s son Cory wants a TV but Troy doesn't feel the need to waste his money on
that when he provides Cory with all the necessities like food, clothes and a
roof over his head so he told Cory to get a job if he really wants it (Wilson
31-32). Today’s society doesn't expect men to be this big man who makes all the
money while his wife stays home with the kids. Instead people strive to be independent
so they don’t need to realize on others to help them if they get into a sticky
situation. I feel Troy would have a hard time living up to this standard
because in a way he likes being the man of the house and in this day and age he
wouldn't have to be so he would struggle with that concept.
Your first quote really shows the meaning of the phrase " Bread winner" because in the quote he says he gives his all to come home feed the family and wake up and go to work. he is supporting the family as much as he can. i really like how he said that because now rose feels and knows what he is going through as a " bread winner"
ReplyDeleteI like the example, "As all people do Troy has a weakness and his weakness is giving to others more than he has to. For example Troy’s son Cory wants a TV but Troy doesn't feel the need to waste his money on that when he provides Cory with all the necessities like food, clothes and a roof over his head so he told Cory to get a job if he really wants it (Wilson 31-32)." because you pointed out this important piece of information. Along with the quote, "I thought you was working down there at the A&P. Ain't you suppose to be working down there after school" (Wilson 35). Both these quotes show that Troy isn't someone to look for luxury. He is a straight forward hard-worker and that shows because he would rather have his child working as well to bring in money and learn the value of it rather than purchasing expensive items
ReplyDeleteJohnna! Your post was amazing! :)
ReplyDeleteI total agree with this part. "For example Troy’s son Cory wants a TV but Troy doesn't feel the need to waste his money on that when he provides Cory with all the necessities like food, clothes and a roof over his head so he told Cory to get a job if he really wants it " I look at it from both sides. I feel like part of the reason why Troy wants cory to buy his own TV, is to make him tougher. In today's society it would be almost expected that troy goes out and buys the family a TV where in the time that this is taking place, its a larger investment and although it's almost an essentials in today's society, it wasn't one back then. At the same time, why doesn't he go out and spoil his family every once in awhile?
Johnna! Your post was amazing! :)
ReplyDeleteI total agree with this part. "For example Troy’s son Cory wants a TV but Troy doesn't feel the need to waste his money on that when he provides Cory with all the necessities like food, clothes and a roof over his head so he told Cory to get a job if he really wants it " I look at it from both sides. I feel like part of the reason why Troy wants cory to buy his own TV, is to make him tougher. In today's society it would be almost expected that troy goes out and buys the family a TV where in the time that this is taking place, its a larger investment and although it's almost an essentials in today's society, it wasn't one back then. At the same time, why doesn't he go out and spoil his family every once in awhile?
I really liked your last paragraph about how in today's society people like to be more independent and strive on not having to rely on other people so much. I also agreed about how Troy is very much the breadwinner in the household. The only thing you would need to work on is staying focused because you started off about how he was the breadwinner, but then went into about him "cheating" on his wife and how Rose always catches him lying. Although those are some flaws in him, maybe talk about flaws that he has with being the breadwinner.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Troy would have a hard time fitting into todays society. I think he believe men can be the only providers. Especially when he said, "You all line up at the door with your hands out. I give you the lint from my pockets….” Women can be providers too now and I think he would struggle with this
ReplyDelete