A legacy

Troy Maxson was a hardworking man who took responsibility of his actions. Troy developed a  legacy throughout the play. His biggest legacy will be left with his children, both good and bad. Troy truly cared about his kids, and wanted them to be the best they can be. But at times, he could be really tough on them, especially Cory. Cory was even having a hard time going to Troy's funeral. "The whole time I was growing up...living in his house...Papa was like a shadow that followed you everywhere......Im just saying I've got to find a way to get rid of that shadow, Mama"(Wilson 96-97). Clearly, this isn't that great of a legacy that Troy left with Cory. It is sad that Cory feels this way about his father. Rose argues that Troy "meant to do more good that he meant to do harm" and "your daddy wanted you to be everything he wasn't..." I fully agree with this and it is a big part of the legacy he left behind. Troy always meant well, although he messed up quite a bit, he always had good intentions in life. Troy wanted a lot for his children and he would do almost anything for them. He always looked out for their futures and wanted them to be better than he was. I think his children will realize this, and when they grow up and have children of their own they will care for them but at the same time will try to not make the same mistakes that Troy often made. A big part of Troy legacy is the children he left behind and love he had for them, even if it wasn't always clear to see.

Happiness: In fences, and in todays world

What is happiness? In Fences, happiness means different things to each character. They all define happiness in different ways. Troy, found his "happiness" with another women behind Rose's back. "I can step out of this house and get away from the pressure and problems....be a different man. I ain't got to worry how im gonna pay the bills of get the roof fixed. I can just be a part of myself that I ain't ever been" (Wilson 69). Troy often gets caught up in the pressure and the stress that comes from life, so his way of creating happiness was stepping away from that, and betraying someone who loves him, Rose, in order to feel that freedom. He says that he locked himself in a pattern trying to take care of her, and he forgot about himself. Rose defines happiness as having dreams and hopes. When she finds out about Troy's affair she rants about how she has always wanted things to make her happier, and someone to make her laugh so she could feel good. But she always stayed with Troy, because he is her husband and she owed him everything she had.

 

In today's society it is obvious that  many people think that everyone is entitled to their own happiness. I also believe it can be over glamorized and people find happiness through silly things such as how many retweets they get on Twitter, or likes on Instagram.  I do believe that happiness is a right, but people often have flawed representations of what happiness should truly look like and be. I don't think happiness can easily be found, and someone has to look into their own lives in order to achieve happiness and realize what is keeping them from getting it. In addition, people often hurt others in order to create their own happiness, just like Troy hurt Rose. I don't think it is okay to be selfish when creating your own happiness, I have experienced first hand the pain that one can cause another during their journey to reaching their definition of happiness.

 

What happiness means in fences is similar to what it is like in society. For example, Troy is selfish with reaching happiness and he hurts someone who really cares about him. This is very apparent in our society because some will do almost anything for their own happiness.  Rose also views happiness through her dreams and goals in life, and I think that it also a big part to what happiness is in our society as well.

 

Overall, happiness is important and everyone has the right to it, but people should be careful in the things they do to gain it.

 

A Real Man

I believe that Troy, the main character from the play Fences, is a good man, with good intentions. Although, sometimes he may not seem like he is the best person. As a man, I believe Troy tries the best he can to be a good man. He is very hardworking and takes responsibility. For example, when Cory wants a  two hundred dollar TV, Troy is worried about the costs of the roof. "While you thinking about a TV, I got to be thinking about the roof...and whatever else go wrong around here"(Wilson). This shows that he is smart and responsible with his money and realizing what are necessities and what he can go without in order to provide.  Troy tries the best he can in life. He works so hard at everything. I think a weakness Troy has as a man is that he is almost to much of a man. By this, I mean he thinks he has to be so serious and worried about life all the time that he forgets to let the people he loves, know that he loves them. For example, with Cory. Rose even notices this behavior and tells Troy that all Cory wants to hear is "good job, Son". But Troy just simply says that he doesn't have time for that. Troy gets caught up in so many things, and forgets what's really important.  Troy's society expects a man to take care of his family. "A man got to take care of his family..." (Wilson). Troy believes that it is his responsibility to provide for his family. Our current society sets a similar standard for men. That men must provide for their families, and Troy would live up to them. But I also think that men play a greater part in society than just the "providers". It takes more than that to be a real, good, man. And that is when Troy would fall short of what being a real man is all about. 

August Wilson and his legacy

August Wilson was, "an African American playwright whose works helped put Pittsburgh on the literary map" (Panchak). August had a 10-play cycle about African-American life in the 20th century. His plays highlighted the effects that racism has on African-American communities in the United States. August left a legacy that is still with us to this day. Being one of the first African- American playwrights, he has left a great influence. He gave African Americans a voice. "As long as people are reading, they will be reading about Pittsburg , and that's what August Wilson did for us, he said. "We owe him" (Panchak). He created famous work and achieved so much in his life time. He also set a high bar for other African-American playwrights.

August' legacy reveals a larger message about how race, power, and language intersect in the United States. In the article I read by Steve Bogira, Bernard Brown, a teacher,  found it extremely important that he enhanced his students understanding of their own African American roots. August' plays put these roots to life with his plays. Race, power, and language all intertwine when talking about August Wilson. He gave himself and other African-Americans power by standing up and highlighting the effects racism has on African Americans in his works, and the language he used. People to this day still can learn from August Wilson and his works. You can still find any of it today, and that just shows how much power he and other African-Americans gained from his works.