Troy's Legacy

I believe that Troy's legacy would be his kids. Troy did a lot of things to shape his kids even though it may not have been the best way to raise children he still did what he thought was best for them. Especially in Cory’s case, Troy gave him a roof over his head and food but without showing that he liked his kid. Cory asks “How come you ain’t never liked me” and Troy responded with “liked you? Who the hell say I got to like you” what law is there say I got to like you” Wanna stand up in my face and ask a damn fool-ass question like that. Talking about liking somebody. Come here, boy, when I talk to you.”(Wilson 37) this quote shows that even when confronted about not being a loving father he is more concerned with himself and although he does a lot for Cory the way he shaped his boy is still the way he is remembered. Cory ended up joining the Marines and making a better life for himself which I believe is because of how troy treated him while he was alive. Cory grew up to be a better man than his father and that’s ultimately what Troy wanted. Troy also gave to Lyons even though Lyons didn’t grow up with Troy, he still treated him as his own son and gave him money. Troy wanted Lyons to succeed too. He wanted him to get a better job and be a provider which is why he gave him a hard time when Lyons would ask for money. When Lyons asked Troy for money Troy said “I done learn my mistake and learned to do what’s right by it. You still trying to get something for nothing. Life don’t owe you nothing. You owe it to yourself. Ask Bono. He’ll tell you I’m right.”(Wilson 18) so Troy Tried to Tell Lyons about the importance of earning what you get. Even with Raynell he tried to do right by her. He didn’t want her to grow up daddy-less and when her mom died he took responsibility and asked Rose to help. His kids are his legacy because that’s what he put himself into. He put himself into caring for his kids even though he didn’t seem too happy about it. His legacy lives on in his kids. We see it in Cory because he goes into the Marines, we see it in Lyons because he is doing time and he is trying to make a better life for himself and is taking responsibility for his life choices, and even though Raynell is still young we see his impact on her with the song Troy used to sing about the dog.

Who Is Troy?

Troy is a lot of things, he is a father, friend, husband, and former athlete. All of these things have helped shape him into a strong willed man. Troy is expected to be strong, patient, loving, and give his son what he needs. Society expects him to be a hard worker and provide for his family while at the same time care about everything he does. Troy does a lot of work and not much appreciation from his family. Troy is strong because he knows what he needs to do so that he can live and provide for his family but he isn’t very good at showing that he cares for his sons. Cory asked Troy why he doesn’t like him, showing that even though troy thinks he might be showing love by providing it’s harder on his son. He thinks that because he does all of these things for his family he doesn’t need to tell Cory that he likes him or that he’s proud of him. Our society’s standards for men are a lot smaller then what they used to be. We doesn’t expect as much from them, so troy would definitely live up to most standards for a father, except for the loving part. In a way Troy shows his love through showing Cory what is important and what he needs to know. He is very protective over his money and won’t spend it on a TV. but instead would fix his roof. Troy doesn’t want Cory to play football because he knows how Black athletes are treated and doesn’t want Cory to go through that.