Introduction
August Wilson, in his book “Fences,” uses Troy Maxson as the protagonist to discuss the dynamics of family and friendship. In his interactions with his wife, son, brother, and friend, the character's decisions tend to alter the dynamics of their relationship due to betrayal. He tends to build fences around his life to prevent people from getting too close to him, drawing from his childhood and past experiences. Troy is the breadwinner of the family and does the best to provide for its basic needs. Despite his good heart and intentions, he ends up betraying everyone that loved and cared for him. An analysis of his acts of betrayal reveals the consequences that he endures.
Troy Betrayals
Troy betrays his son Cory by failing to provide paternal emotional effervescence and verbal expression of love. Troy parents his son with an iron fist since he establishes authority and dominance over his family (Wattley 4). He takes parenting as a fiscal responsibility that sees him providing for the son's material needs without catering to his emotional needs. While parenting, Troy is emotionally distant, a strict disciplinarian, and a bully (Wattley 3). When Cory inquires about the dynamics of their relationship, Troy responds by saying, "I done give you everything I had to give you. I gave you life!... And liking your black ass wasn't part of the bargain" (Wilson 38). Their poor interaction causes Cory to be rebellious to Troy's demands by delaying to do his chores and eventually, when he loses respect for his father and leaves to join the military. Troy wants his son to worry about being treated right over likeability (Wattley 6). Having grown up in a racist and unwelcoming society, he feels obligated to train his son regarding how to behave in a ruthless society. He feels that by being authoritative and dominant, his son will grow a thick skin that will allow him to deal with whatever the world throws at him. However, Troy fails to form an emotional attachment with his son, as every parent should. His failure to connect with his son leads him to act atrociously, further sabotaging the fragile relationship that initially existed. Troy imparts good values onto his son, but his approach makes it difficult for his son to trust him. Even after leaving home, Cory explains that he is still haunted by his father, whose actions continue to affect his psychological well-being (Wilson 96). Their conflict that arises from Troy's betrayal seems to affect him into the future, and it is only after Troy's death that Cory can establish his path.
Troy stifles Cory by discouraging him from pursuing his dream of playing college football and even sabotaging his chances of going to college. Koprince assumes that this refusal is based on Troy's defiant and hostile nature, saying, "Unlike Robinson, Troy is no model citizen who would have increased tensions in the racially-environment of the 1930s and 40s" (351). The author suggests that Troy missed out on playing in the league since he did not fit the model player that the white recruiters wanted. However, Troy defends himself by citing the racism in the sports industry, which George Giles, a first baseman for St. Louis Stars, better explains when he says: "The racism we faced while I was in the Negro Leagues was one of the things that eventually pushed me out of baseball… I was treated like a second-class citizen in my own country by people who knew they hated me before I could even say "Hello"" (Koprince 350). The remarks and Troy's experiences make him protective of the career decisions of his son, which playwright Arthur Miller describes as being a tragic flaw in his postulation: "The flaw, or crack in character, is really nothing- and need be nothing- but his inherent unwillingness to remain passive in the face of what he conceives to be a challenge to his dignity, his image of his rightful status" (Walton 62). This description refers to Troy's retaliation to his marginalization, as he refuses to let his son suffer as he did (Wilson 39). He refuses to remain passive and goes ahead to sabotage Cory's chance of pursuing football and going to college. Troy believes that his son could learn a trade and gain financial security by working at A&P since playing will not accord him the compensation he needs after the league exploits his talent (Walton 63). This supposition is supported by Harold Clurman, who says:
"There are two versions of the American dream. The historical American dream is the promise of a land of freedom with opportunity and equality for all. This dream needs no challenge, only fulfilment. But since the Civil War, and particularly since 1900, the American dream has become distorted to the dream of business success…" (Wattley 2).
Troy's circumstances lead him to believe that the first part of the dream regarding opportunity and equality for all is false. He chooses to redirect his son towards pragmatism and survival in a discriminative society by pushing him towards salesmanship (Wattley 3). However, Troy fails to consider the changing times, which Koprince quotes as being "born too soon" (350), a factor that limited Troy's chances but may avail opportunities for his son (Wilson 40). His failure to support his son's dream is seen as a betrayal when he fails to seek his consent before shutting down his chance of getting a scholarship to play college football. The consequence is the bitterness and resentment that his son has for him, and he chooses to openly disrespect his authority while living in his house (Wilson 58). This situation creates a fence between father and son since Cory soon leaves Troy's house to join the army and is hesitant to attend his burial (Wilson 96).
Troy betrays his wife by engaging in an extra-marital affair with Alberta. He impregnates her and, after her death, brings their daughter to Rose. Throughout the play, the author depicts Rose as a perfect and loving wife who cares for her family and allows Troy to dominate the household. Despite being married for eighteen years, Troy feels unsatisfied in his description of having been "on first base for eighteen years" (Wilson 70). This phrase depicts that he felt dissatisfied with his current state and was looking for a temporary reward. He describes his affair as a base runner trying "to steal a second," a metaphorical reference for the strong urge to engage in an affair with Alberta. Walton posits “His philandering with Alberta was his way of trying ‘to steal a second’” (64). When she learns about his adultery, Rose experiences distrust and anger, and her outburst reveals that Troy has acted selfishly in their marriage. She says, "You always talking about what you give . . . and what you don't have to give. But you take too. You take . . . and don't even know nobody's giving!" (Wilson 79). From their dialogue, Rose reveals the sacrifices she has made for the family and their marriage, which Troy disregards when he chooses to be unfaithful.
Furthermore, Troy is remorseless and unapologetic about his affair. Still, he asks Rose to mother his illegitimate child, to which she responds, "From right now… this child has got a mother. But you a womanless man" (Wilson 79). This incident shows the couple's mental divorce since Rose chooses to emotionally detach herself from their marriage and destroys the intimacy aspect of their relationship. Even though they do not formalize their separation, Troy destroys her trust in men as she fails to forge other meaningful relationships with men. This infidelity also betrays Cory, who is troubled and outrageous about her mother's reaction when he says to Troy, "I don't know how she can [Rose] can stand you… after what you did to her" (Wilson 87). Thus, his disloyalty causes an irreparable situation within his marriage and family due to his betrayal.
Troy betrays his brother, Gabriel, by taking his money and admitting him into a mental facility. Gabriel was a World War II veteran who, after a brain injury, returns home. He receives a regular three thousand dollars for his injuries, which Troy uses to buy their house (Walton 62). Since Gabriel is mentally disturbed, Rose considered Troy’s action to be selfless as she thinks that he is helping Gabriel manage his money. When Gabriel moves out of his house, Troy stops receiving the disability cheques, so he decides to have his brother admitted to a mental institution as revenge (Wilson 74). Gabriel cannot understand why the reason behind his brother’s actions. However, in having Gabriel locked up, Troy denies him the chance to connect with the outside world. Troy fails to fulfill his brotherly duty of looking after his brother. When people get wind of what Troy has done, he loses their respect, ruining his social life.
Lastly, Troy betrays his best friend Bono by refusing to heed his warning about his affair with Alberta and causing immense hurt to Rose. Bono and Troy had been friends from prison, and after their release, they worked together as garbage collectors. Bono admits to admiring Troy’s choice of wife since during his baseball days, he was frequently flooded with women who wanted to be with him. Bono’s concern is expressed when he reminds Troy of how much Rose loves him when he says, “Some people build fences to keep people out… and other people build fences to keep people in. Rose wants to gold on to you all. She loves you” (Wilson 61). This statement implies that Troy’s actions are bound to alienate him from people since he tries to distance himself emotionally. When Bono finds out about his infidelity, he loses trust in Troy, and their friendship grows apart. His feeling of disappointment is a reflection of Troy’s betrayal and he despises his friend for hurting Rose. Bono is forced to side with Rose, who is hurt by her husband’s infidelity. Thus, this betrayal destroys their friendship and causes them to drift apart. This transition to acquaintances is evident when Bono says, “Since you got your promotion I can’t keep up with you. Used to see you everyday. Now I don’t even know what route you working” (Wilson 82). Bono continues to respect Troy, although it is evident that their situation is irreparable. Even at his death, it is evident that the two were unable to mend their friendship after the disloyal act.
Conclusion
Troy takes his family responsibilities seriously and takes pride in his ability to provide for his family. However, he fails to fulfill the emotional needs of his wife and son in his actions, which causes them to grow apart. His infidelity leads to a separation. His restrictions form a barrier between him and his son, and his stubbornness and vengeful nature destroy his relationship with his friend, brother, and the community. This betrayal leads him to suffer the consequence of emotional alienation as everyone distrusts him.
