Is Troy Maxson a Good Father in Fences Essay Example

📌Category: Literature, Plays
📌Words: 604
📌Pages: 3
📌Published: 17 June 2021

In August Wilson's play Fences Troy Maxson is a responsible father that made some decisions which would teach his son Cory the responsibilities that he needs in life and also what is the best for him. Troy has showed Cory responsibility a few different times. For example, when Troy tells Cory what responsibilities need to come first, not to lie about anything because there are consequences, and also when he showed Cory his place in the family.

Troy was teaching Cory about the responsibilities of what needs to come first if Cory wanted to play a sport like football. When Troy told Cory, “You go on down there to that A&P and see if you can get your job back. If you can't do both... then you quit the football team” (36-37). That quote is showing that Troy made a responsible decision that he knows will benefit his son later on. He is wanting to teach his son to always work hard and to know that sports come last while a job and getting money should always come first. If Cory can't do both then Cory will need to take responsibility and make the right decision to do the right thing which is to keep his job at the A&P. Troy is also showing Cory that there are sacrifices that will sometimes have to be made which Cory has to sacrifice playing football. Troy knew that later on in life this would help Cory which was the right decision for Troy to make.

Teaching Cory a lesson about lying to his father and also teaching him that there are consequences for the actions that you decide to make in life. “The boy lied to me. I told the nigger if he wanna play football... to keep up his chores and hold down the job at the A&P. That was the conditions” (57). This quote is significant because it is showing that Troy had told Cory exactly what needed to happen which Cory did not do what he was told to do and then lied about it. When Troy went behind Cory’s back and told his coach not to play him anymore he was showing Cory that when you lie or don't do as you are told then there will be a consequence that will follow. Troy is teaching Cory a lesson that there are consequences to actions that you make in life and you have to find a way to be able to deal with them. What Troy did may not of been the right action to take but it did teach Cory a lesson in the end which is what Cory needed.

Troy was teaching Cory that you can't disrespect anyone, no matter if you like them or not. “You ain't gonna say excuse me? You just gonna walk over top of me” (87). Since Cory is still living in his father's house there is still respect that is needed to be shown to Troy. Even though Cory doesn't like his father, he still has to have respect for him since his father is the one who puts food on the table and puts a roof over his head. As Troy always would say that he didn't have to like Cory but it was still his responsibility to raise Cory which is what he was trying to do. 

It is important because it is showing the roles and responsibilities of what a father should be teaching his son. Even if they were not always the best decision that was being made, they still showed that there was a responsibility and decisions that were made by Troy to show his son. You should care about this because it shows what kinds of decisions a father will have to make to teach his kid the responsibilities that will be helpful for them when they are on their own in life.

 

+
x
Remember! This is just a sample.

You can order a custom paper by our expert writers

Order now
By clicking “Receive Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails.