The Legacy of Troy

Throughout Fences, characters rely on and influence each other. The main character in the play is Troy Maxson. Seeming to directly affect the lives of each character in the story, Troy's legacy has had an extensive impact in this text. The man of the house, father of 3 children, and hard-working breadwinner, Troy's influence on others was undeniable. Troy's legacy was mainly developed through his personality and interaction with friends and family.

Troy himself was known as a stubborn and strong-willed character, actively fighting for what he thought was just. Shown in the beginning of the play, Troy wanted equality in his job "Told him, 'what's the matter, don't I count? You think only white fellows got sense enough to drive a truck. That ain't no paper job! Hell, anybody can drive a truck. How come You got all whites driving and the colored lifting?'"(2). Valuing honor and the principle of things, Troy made decisions based on emotion instead of logic. When questioned by Rose as to why he goes to Bella's instead of the A&P he responded "What sense that make when I got money to go and spend it somewhere else and ignore the person who done right by me? That ain't in the bible" (7). Taking money from his Brother's medical fund made Troy feel guilty and dependent "If my brother didn't have that metal plate in his head . . .  I wouldn't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. And I'm fifty-three years old"(28), even though it was the decision that had to be made. Troy's virtue was significant and touched people around him, his adamant personality left an imprint on the people in his life.

Although his unyielding nature had helped him throughout the story, there were also negative consequences. Troy grew up through hardship and adversity, and tried to apply a lot of the lessons he learned to his family. As a teenager, Troy was placed in a harsh situation with his father and leaving home "Sometimes I wish I hadn't known my daddy. He ain't cared nothing about no kids" (50). Albeit he wasn't the most loving father, Troy still cared for Cory and wanted what was best for him. Cory had a promising future in baseball and even got recruited, but Troy was not happy with the prospect of his son repeating a failed sports career. Troy has gone through the struggle of being a black man playing baseball, knowing that your chance can easily be snatched from you. "You a bigger fool than I thought . . . to let somebody take away your job so you can play some football. Where you gonna get your money to take out your girlfriend and whatnot? What kind of foolishness is that to let somebody take away your job?" (36), Troy's stubborn personality led Cory to leave(forcefully) football and get his job back. Cory was remarkably influenced by his father. Feeling as if he was dragging his dad around even at the time of the funeral. "Everywhere I looked, Troy Maxson was staring back at me . . . hiding under the bed . . . in the closet. I'm just saying I've got to find a way to get rid of that shadow mama" (97).

Troy leaves a hypocritical feeling of responsibility and practicality in his family, going off and living in his own head and doing what he wants. His friends and family progressively lose trust in Troy, due to his affair and adverse personality. Despite being concerned for his family, Troy doesn't understand the problems they are going through. Rose even goes on to say "What about me? When's my time to enjoy life?" (74), after asking about Troy not being home, this shows his one-minded nature and the unfavorable impact left on his wife. However, Rose knew that Troy had good intentions and did not mean wrong to his family "I don't know if he was right or wrong . . . But I do know he meant to do more good than he meant to do harm" (97). Troy left a touching legacy on his friends and family through his intention, but got caught up as a tragic-hero who left negative attributes after his death.


In spite of being a character of many ups and downs, Troy's everlasting impression on his friends and family is a valuable one. His toughness on Cory led him to be a corporal of the Marines and make something out of himself. His friendship with Bono was eternal, never changing and as good as ever. His devotion to his wife withered throughout the story, but she knew that at the end of the day he was a worthy husband. A legacy that was damaged but not tarnished, Troy left a positive impact on the people that mattered in his life

Happiness in Fences and Society

In Fences, characters are often put up with ordeals they struggle to get by. From Cory attempting to maintain a job and a spot on the football team, to Troy wanting to be a faithful husband but still get away from the problems. When these characters are placed in these situations, we often wonder why they can’t just do what makes them happy. How do Troy and Cory come up with solutions to make themselves happy in their difficult situations? It seems as if happiness is burdened or dependent on others throughout the book. Cory surely wants to give football a shot, he even has his own plan to maintain his job part-time. “Come on, Pop! I got to practice. I can’t work after school and play football too. The team needs me” (36). If Cory didn’t have to worry about his father’s opinion, he would be doing what he wants and playing football. In Troy’s scenario, he feels stuck in the same place, “It’s not easy for me to admit that I been standing in the same place for eighteen years” (70). Yet Troy seems quite content when he describes his experience at the other woman’s house, “I can sit up in her house and laugh. Do you understand what I’m saying. I can laugh out loud . . . and it feels good” (69). If the characters weren’t weighed down by expectations and other family members, I believe they’d be doing what they wanted; playing football, seeing other women, etc. True happiness in Fences is the freedom to do what you’d like, not to be worried by any external factors.

In our society, we preach kindness, giving, and benevolence all as common practices. “Why shouldn’t someone be happy, there’s no reason not to?” is something often heard. Why is it that someone should be entitled to feel happy? People relate happiness with the material possessions, people in your life, and self-actualization. A lot of the aspects of fulfillment can’t be achieved by everyone. The feelings of joy and peace of mind should be earned, not expected. Society as a whole looks at things different compared to the individual, people are oftentimes placed in tough situations where happiness does not come easy. There is no right to being as content as someone, when there is no ‘happy’ standard of living.

Both values of contentment – the play and society – relate in the sense that happiness is not granted easily. Through Troy’s perspective, he can hold himself back and stick with his wife to keep her satisfied, or he can fulfill his desires and see another woman. In either case, Troy can’t truly become happy because of the circumstances. In reality, we can’t expect to be pleased, because life isn’t that fair. That idea is reoccurring throughout Fences, evidently shown through the medium of the Maxson family.

Troy Maxson

Troy Maxson - a hardworking man trying to do the best he can for himself and his family. Troy is expected to provide for his son and wife, to bring food on the table and keep a roof over their head. I believe this because Rose and Cory are always looking to Troy when in need, for instance, the time Cory wanted a TV and attempted to persuade Troy into buying one. Troy does fulfill his family duties, giving all he has to carry himself through the week just for his wife and son. He is a good man in the sense that he is wise and believes in his own values. When approached by Lyons, Troy knew what was going on; Lyons was just coming by for $10 and nothing else. Buying a TV on sale for $200 wasn’t even an option for Troy, he had household duties he had to commit to, like getting the roof tarred. Troy knows better than to waste his money or time, but is often strict with his son Cory. Money is tight around the house, and Cory’s been working at the A&P to help out. When Cory decided to play football and cut his hours at the A&P, Troy was furious. Troy wants what’s best for his child but doesn’t give him much choice, it’s either Cory gets his job back full-time or doesn’t play football at all. An evident flaw with Troy would be his lack of flexibility with his child due to his bias with pro-sports, but that’s not something that will change with his stubborn personality.

In today’s society, a man is expected to take care of his family and be there when needed. Troy Maxson is a strong example of that, offering everything he has and wanting the best for his family. “I get up Monday morning . . . find my lunch on the table. I go out. Make my way. Find my strength to carry me through to the next Friday. That’s all I got, Rose. That’s all I got to give. I can’t give nothing else.”(Wilson, 40) When faced with the situation Troy is in, there’s nothing else he can do and that’s shown. Troy does not show as much affection and compassion with his family as someone should, but he understands that the basic needs come first. 

The legacy of August Wilson

                A famous 20^th century writer/playwright who extensively covered the lifestyle and history of African-American culture and struggle, August Wilson has left a tremendous impact on society today. Creating 10 plays(one for each decade of the 20^th century), Wilson depicted the lives of blacks and raised consciousness through the theater. Genuinely caring about the message that the audience took from his work, Wilson hoped to offer a different way to look at black Americans. Basic aspects of life – love, honor, beauty, etc. – were all presented through his characters throughout the 20^th century. Wilson’s legacy isn't just defined on how many people watched his plays or the awards he received, but the everlasting impression he’s had on society as a whole. Wilson’s ambition and integrity has set the bar high playwrights everywhere. Even today, after his death, August Wilson’s work is shown in multiple cities across the United States. The renaming of the Virginia Theater to the August Wilson Theater is a commendable highlight that honors his life and legacy.

                Writing on morally sensitive topics such as race and struggle, Wilson made people think about important aspects of race, power, and language. In the article “Language, Power, and the Performance of Race and Class” the relation between these concepts was generalized on how society perceives them. If you are a black man you are expected to talk differently than a Latino in language, and if you are a certain race you are grouped by power/status. Wilson positively expressed black language in his plays, not using dialect to separate and differentiate a certain race, but to take pride in your language. August Wilson showed the everyday life of African-Americans and basic ideas of living, bringing to light the conception of equality between race, power, and language.