Abstract

In this study we have explored and analyzed the characters of Troy Maxson and Rose Maxson, two main characters in the play “Fences” by August Wilson in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “Troy Maxson” and his relationship with his family, especially with his wife Rose Maxson and his son Cory Maxson. The research also analyzes many aspects of Troy Maxson's life and tries to gauge the effects of his decisions on the lives of his family members. The research also describes various factors which are responsible for “fences” that Troy Maxson put around his son.

Character Analysis of Troy Maxson and Rose Maxson in fences story

Introduction

“Fences” is one of the most famous plays in literary history of America. Written by playwright August Wilson in 1983, play is set in 1950s and is 6th part of Wilson's Pittsburg Cycle which consists of 10 parts in total. Just like all the other Pittsburgh plays; play “Fences” explores evolving experience of African-American community in United States. Main theme of “Fences” examines inter-racial relationship between blacks and whites, among other themes. “Fences” won the Pulitzer Prize in Drama category and Tony Award in the category of Best Play, both in 1987. “Fences” is arguably Wilson's most celebrated and renowned work. Main characters of the play are Troy Maxson, Rose Maxson, and their son, Cory Maxson (Vecsey, 1987, Pp.45).

Literature Review

Troy Maxson

Character Analysis

Though character of Troy Maxson absolutely wouldn't win any award for amiability, he is commonly considered to be one of the greatest and supreme characters of American stage. Troy Maxson is often referred as an ideal example of contemporary and modern-day tragic hero, that's why Troy Maxson's character is often compared with Willy Loman from Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. Several critics have put Troy Maxson at the same place classical tragic heroes such as Macbeth and Oedipus. Wow, that's quite highfalutin and pretentious company. Now the question arises: how does character of Troy Maxson has managed to secure the same level and position in the eyes of critics as these guys? One thing is clear, in resemblance with these famous tragic heroes; Troy Maxson has a straightforward case of “hamartia”. Hamartia is a Greek word that is commonly translated as “tragic flaw” in English language. But more direct translation of Hamartia is “Missing of the mark”.

That's an ideal manner to describe everything character of Troy Maxson does. Though Troy Maxson had the ability to beat a baseball out of the ground like its nothing, in personal life, Troy Maxson constantly “missed the mark”. Just like most of the other tragic heroes, Troy Maxson does whatever he believes is right. Even though Troy Maxson is warned by other people around him about the tragic consequences of all the things he is doing, he stubbornly and persistently remains on the course of action he has already chosen to pursue (Wilson, 1986, Pp.15).

Missing the Mark with Cory

Troy Maxson's relationship with his own son Cory is fine example from his personal ...