Feminist Perspective on "Fences
In "Fences" by August Wilson, Rose Maxson proves that a woman in the 1950's can have the upper hand. Rose is the heart of the Maxson family and the peacemaker. Her husband, Troy, is a bully which only makes Rose stronger. Living in the 1950's was difficult time for an African-American woman, but she made it work. Thinking more towards the good and not so much the bad, Rose realizes that times are changing for the better. In Troy's opinion, the black man will always be inferior. Lyons, who is Troy's son from a previous marriage, seems to always come around whenever he wants something. Rose feels that Lyons only needs a little help and guidance, but Troy refuses to give it to him. So Rose decides to demand it for her stepson. Cory, Rose and Troy's son, on the other hand has made a way for himself and only wants acceptance from Troy. Rose encourages Cory to play football and keep good grades, but Troy tries to rain on his success. Rose manages to keep her sprits up, despite hardships and not enough money. She feels that family is the richest resource anywhere. "
She is angered, but when the mother dies shortly after giving birth, Rose takes the child in. "(DiYanni, 1311) Rose's words, wise as they are, would have been ineffectual without the catalyst of Raynell, Troy's illegitimate daughter now seven years old, whom Cory meets for the first time. Denver Post Newspaper, Power of 'Fences' Gripping, April 27, 2001. Rose sings out her Christianity: "Jesus build a fence around me every day" (DiYanni, 1274). " (Dillard) Troy was a worker and a provider. The song is a cultural legacy that bridges the generations; a legacy created by Troy's father and passed on through Troy to Cory and Raynell. In the end Rose makes the family whole in the wake of Troy's funeral. One can only hope for some measure of good, and Troy exceeds a realist's expectations. "What should a realist expect of Troy Maxson, who was abandoned by his mother at age eight, fled a brutal, lustful father at age fourteen, began to steal for a living, and served fifteen years on a murder charge?"(Coussoule). "Quite noticeable in each of August Wilson's plays is the cynical regard for Christianity in the lives of his African American women" (Coussoule). He is also a Christ like scapegoat, first in being wounded in World War II, then when arrested for chasing some boys who tormented him. He holds a steady but disagreeable job as a garbage collector, supports a wife and son, stays sober six days a week, and wins his own private civil-rights battle to become a driver.
Common topics in this essay:
Troy Maxson,
Dillard Troy,
Troy Rose,
Rose Maxson,
War II,
Raynell Troy's,
African American,
Lyons Troy's,
Rose--perhaps Rose--he,
Christianity Jesus,
funeral rose,
african american,
troy's son,
american women,
african american women,
troy's funeral,
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Acceptance Essays
