Struggle, Family, and Racism in August Wilson’s Fences Play Essay

Introduction

Works of literature significantly impact society, being thematically and ideologically related to the period in which they were created. Art is a tool of self-discovery and a means of forming a worldview. The connection between literature and history is indisputable, as historical eras are always reflected in the pages of one work or another. Historical events and cultural changes, including shifts in political regimes and socio-economic conditions, marked the 20th century.

One such cultural and historical change was the struggle of Black people for civil rights in the United States. In the past, the slave state experienced the sharpest wave of opposition from African Americans in the 1950s and 1960s. Racial discrimination, workplace and educational institution segregation, active citizenship, protests, and boycotts were characteristic phenomena of the period. The large-scale struggle for black equal rights was reflected in numerous works of art, particularly in literature.

Troy Maxson as a Symbol of African American Struggle

August Wilson’s play “Fences” shows the socio-cultural features of changes in America in the 20th century. The play reveals the theme of African Americans’ civil struggle through the prism of the complex history of one family. Father-son relations, family values, betrayal, dreams, and hopes are highlighted.

One of the main characters, Troy, was denied the right to participate in Major League Baseball because he was black. At this point, the first conflict and, accordingly, one of the main themes is revealed in the play. Troy appears harsh and strict, always convinced of his own rightness.

However, in personal relationships, he can be considered a loser. He has children from three different women, cheats, cannot build a normal relationship with his children, and in the end, loses them all. Although his family tries to convey the possible negative consequences of his decisions and actions, he is too stubborn and broken by his failed past. Therefore, the play reveals the theme of Black people’s struggle through Troy’s personality.

Father–Son Conflict and the Legacy of Emotional Trauma

As mentioned earlier, the play “Fences” is an excellent example of the complex relationship between father and son. According to the plot, Troy does not receive the love and attention he deserves from his father. It influenced his personality development and became the basis of his relationship with his sons.

Childhood traumas and emotions imprinted in the memory are of great importance in forming relationships in the future. Troy and his sons, Cory and Lyons, were no exception. The father’s influence is so firmly rooted in the sons’ lives that it is difficult for them to break this connection, no matter how hard they try. Additionally, the relationship between father and son, as the leading theme of the play, is a symbol of much more significant events. In this way, the author wanted to show the complexities of the social situation of Black people in America.

Historical Discrimination and Its Impact on Family Dynamics

The relationship between family and contemporary cultural and social challenges should be considered chronologically, according to the development of events in the plot and real life. Troy’s father lived during the abolition of slavery, so his relationship with his son was influenced by that period. For them, this stage was not characterized by a remarkable display of affection and love in the family.

As can be seen from the further development of the plot, this significantly impacted the formation of Troy’s relationship with his sons. He blames discrimination for all his failures, especially his sports career, which was doomed because of it. To a certain extent, he is correct; however, his authoritarian personality also played a vast role in life’s troubles.

Cory and Lyons as Representations of Social Change

Ultimately, Cory represents the global changes in the USA at the end of the 50s. Troy does not believe in those, just like his son’s future. Their relationship worsens when Cory receives a proposal his father was unlucky to take. His other son, Lyons, who grew up without a father present, tries to cut ties by returning the money and going his own way.

However, he cannot escape Troy’s influence, which is deeply embedded in his mind. Lyons’ dreams do not come true; ironically, he ends up in prison like his father. Thus, the father-son relationship throughout the play manifests societal changes in attitudes toward African Americans in the 20th century.

Broken Dreams, Racial Progress, and Persistent Inequality

The relationship between family and social situations in the play is worth considering, particularly between Troy and Cory. Troy’s dream is crumbling under the pressure of the country’s socio-political situation. It destroys his hopes and expectations, leaving a negative imprint on his future. Since he fell short of his goal, Troy feels it necessary to deprive his son of a similar opportunity.

The father should be happy for his son and encourage him to realize his dream. However, the reader can observe the opposite attitude and actions of the main character. The reason for this is significant past trauma caused by racist attitudes throughout life. The worst part is that it affects many people, just like Troy. He fears that his son will become a victim of the same situation, therefore making the only, in his opinion, correct decision.

The goal of Troy’s decisions was indeed for the benefit of his son, but the means of achieving it forever destroyed the chance for a normal relationship. Cory did everything he could to avoid following his father’s path and realize his vision of a happy life. Ironically, he did not achieve anything significant in sports like his father. Describing the illusory nature of dreams, the author conveys the situation of Black people at that time.

One thousand nine hundred fifty-five schools became officially desegregated, and later, the suppression of voters’ rights became illegal (Morris21). Despite this, racial discrimination still existed. Even now, when the rights of all people are equal regardless of race, racial discrimination occurs at various levels of social relations. It resonates with the fact that Cory supposedly got the opportunity to build a sports career, but in reality, it did not materialize.

Conclusion

History always leaves an imprint on works of art, particularly literature. It affects people, their worldview, and their awareness of reality. The play “Fences” by August Wilson accurately depicts the struggle of African Americans for the possibility of a brighter future through the example of a father whose aspirations were destroyed by racism. The cyclical influence of the father on the son is a symbol of the inherited burden of the black population to be victims of racism every day and in all possible manifestations.

The potential and capabilities of the next generations are built under the influence of the previous ones. Thus, it is difficult for the characters to escape from the circle of the same fate that awaits them. The play clearly shows how controversial Black Americans’ path to freedom and equality was. Unfortunately, even when they officially became full-fledged citizens on par with other races, racist prejudices do not leave their lives even now.

Work Cited

Morris, Wade H. “Contrary to the Mind and Will of God: White Flight and the Desegregation of Southern Episcopal Schools.” American Educational History Journal, vol. 46, no. 1, 2019, pp. 21-36.