African-American Literature

¶ … Fences, by August Wilson. Specifically, it will contain an analysis of the following essay question: Develop the theme of "responsibility of family." Throughout the play, the importance of Troy's family plays an all-important place in his life. His responsibility to his family is paramount to him, even though he does not always show it, and they do not always know it. FENCES Death ain't nothing but a fastball on an outside corner" (Wilson 10). Troy Maxson is not a model father and husband by any means.

He alienates his wife who loves him by siring an illegitimate child with his mistress, who dies giving birth. Rose, Troy's wife, agrees to raise the child, but the love between the two is forever damaged, and Rose will no longer give Troy all her love. "Rose.. I'm standing here with my daughter in my arms. She ain't but a wee bittie little old thing. She don't know nothing about grownups' business. She innocent.. And she ain't got no mama" (Wilson 78).

Troy has damaged the family with his thoughtless and selfish act, and they will never be the same. Part of Troy's problem with his family is his massive pride and ego. While he is intensely proud of his family and his ability to take care of them, he continually rides his son Cory, alienating him just as he alienated Rose.

He sends Cory away, ostensibly to make him a man, but in his heart, he may fear Cory, and fear he will become more of a success than Troy has been - thus more of a "man." "You a man. Now, let's see you act like one. Turn your behind around and walk out this yard. And when you get out there in the alley.. you can forget about this house. See? Cause this is my house" (Wilson 86). Cory leaves, and the two do not meet again.

Troy dies, and it takes his death for Cory to really understand the complexities of his father. Troy always manages to find his way home, carrying with him his weekly sack of potatoes, lard, and $76-42 paycheck: "It's my responsibility!" he tells Cory. " A man got to take care of his family" (Wilson 38). This is the core of the play and how it relates to Troy's family.

While he is paradoxical in his affair, and his treatment of his son, he is adamant about his ability to take care of his family. He is completely opposite of the stereotypical black "absent father," that crops up in so many stories. He is always there, and his family can rely on him, even if he is not the perfect father figure. He was irresponsible in his affair, but because he takes responsibility for his newborn daughter, he still sees himself as a responsible adult and parent.

He will not take the responsibility to look inside himself, and discover what motivates him to destroy his relationships, however. It is this responsibility to his family that creates some of the pride he has in himself, and drives him to badger Cory for what he sees his only to benefit his son. There is also an underlying responsibility to prior family in this story that we all carry with us, as much as we might not like to admit it, and Troy is no exception.

He is carrying on the tradition of his father's life in his own, even though he would never admit it. By the end of the play, Troy's life resembles his father's closely. "Sometimes I use to wonder why he was living... He ain't knew how to do nothing but farm. No, he was trapped and I think he knew it" (Wilson 51). Troy is just as trapped as his father was, his responsibilities have trapped him, just as they drove away his wife and son.

Troy still has a dead-end job, and a family who no longer loves or respects him. He has become his father, and taken on the unwanted responsibility of keeping the family steeped in lower-class values and livelihoods. He remembers the life of his father when he was a child, and while he does not say it, he must be thinking inside that his life is really no different, he is still struggling for his own brand of freedom, too. "I thought I was in freedom. Shhh.

Colored folks living down there on the river banks in whatever kind of shelter they could find for themselves... Living in shacks made of sticks and paper" (Wilson 54). Rose, and the fence she compels Troy to build, both represent the boundaries of Troy's responsibility to the family. Rose hopes to keep Troy "in line" with the fence, and she is also a visual reminder every day of his infidelity, and how he has let the family down.

He loves Rose, but he is not above finding pleasure somewhere else, while Rose is true, and pays the price. "I been standing with you! I been right here with you, Troy. I got a life too. I.