A legacy is what we leave behind
for others to remember us by. Albert Pine says “what we do for ourselves dies
with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” In Fences,
I believe that Troy’s legacy is in his children. Troy’s three children all
possess different qualities that Troy himself had as well. Cory is a strong and
independent man who grew up to serve his country as a Marine. Cory has become
successful in the Marines and has earned a high ranking, “Look at you, man.
Look at you. Don’t he look good, Rose. Got them Corporal stripes” (Wilson92).
Lyons recognizes how well Cory has done for himself, and comments on how Troy
knew that Cory had it in him. Cory is a part of Troy’s legacy because he has
Troy’s qualities of bravery, and toughness. Throughout the play you could see
how tough Troy was and his resilience will be remembered through Cory.
Lyons has more of a free spirit.
Lyons is a musician who embodies Troy’s passion. Lyons says he will never stop
playing because he says “it still helps me to get out of bed in the morning. As
long as it do that I’m gonna be right there playing and trying got make some
sense out of it” (Wilson 94). Troy had a passion for baseball and he always
regretted that he never got to go further with his career. His passion will be
remembered through Lyons who is still trying to pursue his dream and make music
with his friends.
Raynell,
Troy’s daughter, is young and innocent. This is shown when her mother asks her
why she is outside. “Girl get in here and get dressed. What you doing? Seeing if
my garden growed” (Wilson90). From the
small portion of the play that Raynell is in, you can tell that she is a sweet
and caring towards her mother and when she meets Cory. Troy was only caring and
loving towards Rose. Raynell will be the one to carry on Troy’s legacy of love
for Rose, because even when Cory goes back to the Marines, and Lyons to jail,
Raynell will be there with Rose.
Troy’s
legacy is in the form of traits that he has instilled in his children. He never
accomplished anything huge or contributed something huge to the world, but his
children will be there to each carry on a part of Troy. Even though Troy won’t
be there, his children will serve as a reminder of him.
Your post brought me to think of Troy's legacy in a very different way. I thought about what he did for his family on the outside and never thought about what he did for them and their traits. Now that you brought that up his legacy is very strong within his kids. Not only the legacies that you spoke of but the legacy he left due to what he hadn't done. He left a legacy within them of care and compassion towards others due to the fact that he rarely showed any care. This is clear when Cory and Raynell interact. Cory says, "You go on in the house and change them shoes like Mama told you so we can go to Papa's funeral" (Wilson 100). This quote shows how he changed his mind to go to the funeral because he actually cared about his dad even if he couldn't admit it. If he had been like his father he would have been able to just stay away from the funeral and feel nothing but because of his father's legacy of caring that was left behind because of the lack of care he changed his mind.
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