When confronted by a hurdle that is new to you, what are your first thoughts? Naturally, the first thing we do is try to search for precedents. It is in human nature to fear change and to be comforted by those experiences of the past that we know and love. In August Wilson's play Fences, the protagonist, Troy, oftentimes finds himself in situations where he can think of one thing and one thing only--the past. He is caught in this time warp that causes him to be lost in thoughts of his unfulfilled baseball career, his victorious battle with Death, and his long-gone dog, Blue. However, Troy's obsession with the past becomes more of a hindrance than a blessing. Because he refuses to admit that times are changing, Troy causes conflict with the people he loves most.
Though Troy is clearly too old to be playing ball, he continues to use baseball metaphors in his everyday life. He speaks to Rose, his wife, about death being "but a fastball" (2002) and that he "kiss[ed] it goodbye" (2003). However, the baseball metaphors are not the problem--it is the mindset these metaphors put him in. His past baseball career reminds him of how difficult things were for African Americans. For that very reason, he is unable to let his son, Cory, pursue a career in athletics. When Rose tries to convince Troy that "times have changed," (2002), he quickly switches to the defensive.
Slowly, Cory begins to feel that his father is worried that Cory may surpass him in skill. Cory's ultimate rebellion is caused by Troy's controlling nature. Though Troy may not have been a great father, he held the family together and provided for them for eighteen years. Though Cory can't see it, Troy is merely trying to protect him from the harsh realities that he will face once he leaves the comfort of a sheltered life. When Cory quits his job at the A & P, Troy is simply concerned that his son will not have any stability in his life. Similarly, the final brawl between Troy and Cory is caused by Troy's desire to look out for his son.
Cory ultimately cannot strike the bat at his father. After he swings twice, he is far too afraid to swing for the third time because either way, he strikes out. If he hits his father, his life is over. If he misses, he is just bad at batting. When Cory is told to pick up his belongings on the "other side of the fence" (2041), he is being disowned from his family. The fence represents safety and togetherness. Cory finally redeems himself once he re enters his father's life by attending his funeral (450).
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6 comments:
Mons
A good, well-thought-out blog. I enjoyed your insight and observations of Troy's continuation of living in the purgatory that is his past.
Although I must disagree about the idea that Troy is merely concerned for his son when he quits the A&P. Seems to me that if he were merely concerned, he wouldn't have driven Corey down the road to rebellion as he had.
Hey Manasi,
I liked your blog a lot, especially the introduction. I never realized just how stuck in the past Troy really is, whether it be baseball or his dog. He really cannot accept the present.
Nice job :)
-Pipes
Monzi,
I am really glad I took the time to read your blog. I feel like a new person. I like how you note how Troy is always living in the past and how it affects him negatively. You say it is "more of a hindrance than a blessing" to dwell in the past. That is quite clever Monci. Thanks again, Warren.
Manasi,
This post is the first one I've read on "Fences." I like how you explain Troy is living in his past and not in the present thus he is restrictive and authoritative thinking his beliefs are the only true ones. Sadly because of Troy's stinginess, Corey cannot pursue his dream.
Hutch
Mons,
This is an amazing post. I never realized how stuck in the past Troy is. He cannot let go of his failurs and drags them into his present like 10 bags of extra luggage. It's just uncomfortable and obstructing, not allowing him to grow and improve his relationships--especially with his son and wife.
Good job!
On this day I must bid my aristocratic counterparts farewell. I shall not go into detail of what has driven me to such action, but it was the topic of Gary’s speech. I have authored a brief, might you say, rebuttal, which can be read here.
Jane Austen (48)
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