Lowery 1 Kristyn Lowery Ms. Susan Bosarge ENG 1123 5 July 2015 Troy Maxson the Anti-hero Being a father is one of the life’s struggles that never seems to end for the character, Troy Maxson, his struggles are no different. In the play, Fences, written by August Wilson, Troy demonstrates a hard working husband and father striving to get through the difficult times he is faced with due to his race and age. The result of all the stress led Troy to become a harsh and distant father. Troy Maxson is a prime example of an unhappy, small-minded tragic hero. Troy is a father who lacks the ability to show affection and respect towards his children and wife, is a loud and obnoxious man, but also is a hard-working, dedicated father. The play begins with two friends, Troy and Bono, coming home from work and enjoying their Friday night ritual of drinking and telling stories. Bono begins with stating that he has been noticing his friend eyeing a neighbor, Alberta. Bono is starting to believe that Troy is not being faithful to wife and also being abusive in his marriage. As a woman ages and becomes comfortable with their husband, she is likely to suffer from emotional and physiological abuse (Doak 3). Having an affair with a woman outside of your marriage is a clear sign of abuse. Troy also lacks displaying physical affection towards his two sons, Cory and Lyons. ”How come you don’t like me” is the question Cory Maxson, Troy Maxson’s son, asks his father (Wilson 1853).
