August Wilson wrote the play “Fences” in 1957, which revolved around the life and relations of an African-American man, Troy Maxson. The play inspired renowned actor Denzel Washington to direct the movie “Fences” which illustrates the struggles of a father and husband who tries to raise his family his way. Washington plays the role of Troy Maxson who had his dreams of being a famous baseball player squashed. Troy, who works as a sanitation worker in Pittsburg, is the father to Cory and husband to Rose Maxson.
Father-Son Relationship
The father-son relationship theme comes out strongly in “Fences” as Troy raises his son after experiencing a strained relationship with his father. Troy narrates of how despite his father being responsible, he attempted to run away from home as his father was harsh on him as a kid. There is a conflict of interest however on how Troy describes his father but treats his son. The effects of the father-son relationship spill over to Rose who sympathizes with his son and does not support his husband's way of doing things. Rose expresses her feelings when she says, “You can't visit the sins of the father upon the child.” (Wilson, Fences, Act 2) Troy's harshness and bitterness affect his relationship with his two sons, Cory, and Lyons where Lyons was from a previous relationship.
Troy and Cory
Troy extinguishes Cory’s dream of joining college when he denies him the opportunity to play football. Troy who had failed in trying to be a pro baseball player felt that his son stood no chance thus refused to sign a permission slip that would allow Cory to join the NFL. Troy went a step further and punished Cory by demanding that he helps him in building a fence around their house. The physical fence, in this case, is symbolic of a psychological fence that the father and son were making together. Instead of the father and son bonding through and after this exercise, they drift further apart. Cory’s hate for his father comes out when he says, “Liked you? Who the hell say I got to like you?” (Wilson, Fences, Act 2) The confrontations between Troy and Cory had escalated to abuses and fights.
Troy and Lyons
Troy’s relationship with his other son, Lyons was strained because Troy always perceived him as lazy. Troy rightly so advised Lyons that a man should be responsible enough to cater for his needs and that of his family. Lyons who was the older son visited his father on payday to borrow his farther $10 (August, Par 5). Troy explains to Lyons that he needs to get a job and earn money through hard work. Troy despises his son's career as a musician and says that is the reason why Lyons is not living a successful life as Troy. Troy justifies his intentions when he states, “I done learned 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” (Wilson, Fences, Act 1). Troy eventually gives Lyons the money after the son explained how his father was absent when he was being raised. The father-son relationship plays out well in the scene where a father provides help but with conditions.
The lowest of the father-son relationship comes up when Troy in a drunken stupor challenges Cory into a fight (Denzel, Fences). The confrontation is symbolic of Troy finally losing the battle in raising his son, and he eventually loses his command and authority over his family at large. Despite the father trying so hard to raise his sons well, Troy had nothing positive to show out of strict fatherly skills. Troy narrates of how harsh his father was, but he had grown to become a successful individual, but his relations with his family contributed to his downfall. The culture of resentment had been passed on from Troy to his sons, and at the end of it all, Lyon and Cory attribute their failures to their father. Lyon did not view Tory as a proper father figure and narrated that he found solace in music hence losing focus of more realistic goals.
Conclusion
A vicious cycle of father-son resentment is evident in "Fences." August Wilson's original work demonstrates the impact of a father's actions and decisions on a son. The piece goes a step further to illustrate how the effects spread across generations. Troy narrated how he perceived his father to be a dictator but appreciated his efforts in making him a responsible man. Cory’s failure to attend Troy's burial symbolizes the strained father-son relationship that shocks everyone. Lyons is convicted of fraud and is serving a three-year sentence when he attends his father's burial (Denzel, Fences). Troy had molded his sons to who they were today in one way or another. Troy had neglected his sons' dreams to pursue his own selfish goals. The results had worked for Troy as he grew to be a responsible and independent man as he worked as a corporal. On the other hand, Troy fails in raising Lyons who does not have a stable career and ends up in jail. The father-son relationship between Troy, his father, and his sons is like a double-edged sword. Lyons lacked a significant father figure, and the results are catastrophic as he ends up in jail. Strict fathers raise both Cory and Troy, but the fruits are seen in one way or another as they both grow to be responsible and independent. The father-son relationship in “Fences” illustrates its short and long-term implications across generations.
Works Cited
August Wilson. “Fences Summary.” Math, Soft Schools, 12 Dec. 2018, www.softschools.com/literature/summary/fences/.
Denzel Washington, Director. Fences. Paramount Pictures, 2017.
Wilson, August. Fences: August Wilson. Samuel French, 2010.
