Troy a Father, Husband, and Provider

Troy is the main character of the play Fences, he is a husband, friend, provider, and also a father to two children. He works as a hardworking garbage man in a time where African Americans had little opportunities. I believe that Troy is a very good man, he always is looking out for other people over himself. He provides for his family, maybe not emotionally, but he always puts the food on the table for them. He doesn't just give his family anything they want also he wants to shape and mold his children into hard working men. "Where you think that ten dollars you talking about come from? I'm just supposed to haul people's rubbish and give you my money cause you too lazy to work. You too lazy to work and wanna know why you ain't got what I got" (Wilson 17). He taught Lyon a great lesson there, he taught him that he needs to work hard and provide for himself not take advantage of others. Also his other son Corey wants to go out and play football but Troy doesn’t think that it is a good idea because he went through all of the hardships when he played baseball. "I don't care where he coming from. The white man ain't gonna let you get nowhere with that football no way. You go on and get your book-learning so you can work yourself up in the A&P or learn how to fix cars or build houses or something, get you a trade. That way you have something can't nobody take away from you. You go on and learn how to put your hands to some good use. Besides hauling people's garbage" (Wilson 35). He wants his son to obtain a trade in life that will actually get him some where he doesn’t want Corey to end up like he did where sports is concerned. Even though I think he is wrong where Corey is concerned I do believe that he believes he is looking out for Corey. Troy’s society expects men to strictly provide (and that is doing the most for African Americans during that time) money wise not really emotionally. Troy does meet the expectations set in place by the society of that time. Troy provides for his family but not always in the way that they need him too. Now day’s people expect fathers to be there emotionally and also to help provide (Money wise) but he doesn’t do that. Troy even told his son that he doesn’t love him and it doesn’t matter he shouldn’t focus on whether somebody likes you or not. I believe that Troy does not meet the standards our society currently holds, but Troy is still a good man.