In his compelling masterpiece, the fence, August Wilson describes the lifestyle of blacks amid a foreign land. He focuses on the social life of African-Americans who struggle to improve their status in a country controlled by racism. Troy and Cory are the main characters in Wilson’s story. As a father Troy’s aim is to see, his children succeed. According to him, only quality education can make a black person live a good life. Troy’s childhood dream was to become a professional baseball player. Unfortunately, the issue of racism always locked him out of the national team. Similarly, Cory’s ambition is to become a professional footballer but his father discourages him because he thinks black people can never join the national team. Wilson metaphorically uses sport to mould the personalities, actions and dreams of both Troy and Cory as expounded in the next discussion.
Although baseball was Troy’s favorite game, the sport has a metaphorical meaning in his life. Intuitively, Troy views baseball in terms of racism and social segregation (Brustein, p. 31). According to him, his skin color (black) shattered his childhood dreams of becoming a professional sportsman (Feingold, p. 2). Most black men who venture into sports always lacked the opportunity to excel. Consequently, he ventures into meager jobs to earn a living. Troy’s failure to prosper in sports changes his view of the world. Character wise he hates sports, which lead to conflicts between him and his son who likes football. Furthermore, he perceives sport only favors the whites and not the blacks. Therefore, he decides to take control of his children’s lives especially career wise. Troy believes only education can make an African-American to live a better life or meet his personal dreams (Nadel, p. 5). Therefore, he forces his children to take education seriously and not venture into any other career especially sports or music. According to his son Cory, “Papa was like a shadow that followed you everywhere” (August Act II scene V), which means Troy’s ambition is to make sure his children fulfill his failures. Troy thinks that if he had taken education seriously then his life would have been better. Troy’s belief is that there is no racism in education. On the other hand, Troy inability to succeed in sport also turns him into a racist. Surprisingly, he thinks there are specific jobs for blacks and whites.
In addition, Troy’s inability to agree with sports as a career controls his actions. Besides, deterring Cory from venturing into sports he also asks Lyons to drop his career as a jazz musician. Troy perceives music as an American culture and therefore, African-Americans cannot succeed in it. Although Lyons is unable to make a living from the music, he decides to follow his passion. Troy sees himself as a failure because of his inability to become a baseball star in America. As a father, he does not want his children to end up like him. Therefore, he is not only wicked but also selfish because he controls everybody in the family including his family (Rich, p. 3). He makes decisions on his own and forcefully passes them to his children. One of his philosophies includes “You gotta take the crookeds with the straights,” (August Act II scene V). Unfortunately, his actions lead to disagreements between him and his family members. There is no peace in his house, which frustrates him and his children. Everyone in the family leave a miserable life especially Troy, Lyons and Cory. Troy’s dream, which is to force his children meet his failures kills their future and happiness.
Similarly, football has a metaphorical meaning in Cory’s life. Cory sees football as an inspiration and success to his life. According to Cory, his dream to become a footballer means that the world is dynamic. There is no racism or social discrimination, which will deter him from becoming successful. More over, both African-Americans and whites can compete especially in sports. Besides venturing into football, he also works hard in school to produce good grades. Due to his talent in football, Troy is respectful and aims at becoming a professional footballer. He works hard in school to disapprove his father that football means failure.
Cory has a strong personality as a young man and therefore, attracts everyone attention both in school and at home. While at home, he feels compassion for his disabled uncle. Besides his talent in sports, he is also an enthusiastic young person. His wish is to aim higher especially in football. Due to his determination, he puts more practice in football especially while in high school to attract college recruiters.
Unfortunately, his father is against his dream of playing football professionally. Consequently, the two men are always disagreeing and Cory is against his father’s behavior of controlling his life (Staples, p. 2). Due to anger, he challenges his father to stop interfering with his life especially when he deters him from attending football matches. Occasionally, Troy suspends his job to play football especially when the season is at peak. However, his action infuriates his father and a conflict ensues between them. Cory gives his father names of professional sports men who are black but have succeeded. Therefore, by accepting his father’s demands he will kill his dream, future and passion of succeeding in football. Intellectually, Cory thinks that times have changed and racism is on the decline an aspect his father does not consider as true. Eventually, when thinks between him and his father got out of hand, Cory decided to abandon his parent’s home (Brustein and Wilson, p. 50). Unfortunately, his father passes on but Cory is still bitter with him. Nevertheless, his mother persuades him to forgive his father therefore, prompting him to attend his funeral.
In brief, racism is a historical problem that still frustrates people in the society. When Troy is unable to meet his dream as a baseball player, he becomes bitter with life. He blames racial discrimination for making him to live a miserable. Troy becomes a wicked, selfish and bitter man. According to him, he should have concentrated on his studies and not baseball. Thus, he deters his children from venturing in other professionals especially sports and music. Consequently, his decision leads to conflicts between him and his sons. Cory loves football, which is against his father’s wish. Besides determination, he also works hard in both football and class work to have a better future. Cory views sports as his happiness and future while Troy’s views sports as a channel to racism. After many years of conflicts, Cory deserts his father’s house to leave alone. Due to diverse dreams, Troy dies a miserable man leaving a bad legacy as a father.
Works cited
- August, Wilson. Fence: A play. New York: Plume, 1986
- Brustein, Robert. “The Use and Abuse of Multi-Culturalism.” The New Republic 205.12 (1991): 31-34. Print
- Brustein, Robert, and August, Wilson. “Subsidized Separatism,” American Theatre Magazine 1996: 50. TCG Publications
- Feingold, Michael. “The Fall of Troy.” The Village Voice. 1987
- Nadel, Alan. May All Your Fences Have Gates: Essays on the Drama of August Wilson. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1994
- Rich, Frank. “Family Ties in Wilson’s ‘Fences’.” New York Times. 1987: 3. Print
- Staples, Brent. “‘Fences’: No Barrier to Emotion.” New York Times. 1987: 2. Print