“Some people build fences to keep people out . .
. and other people build fences to keep
people in” (Wilson 1768). Troy Maxson builds fences to do both. In this play,
Troy tries so hard to trap his family, namely his son Corey. His focus is to
maintain control and create his version of an ideal life in those around him.
However by doing this, he is merely isolating himself from everyone else.
Troy Maxson is stuck in the past. He is constantly
discussing his success in the good ole days but refuses to see that he is no
longer able to achieve such things. This leads him to project his goals onto
Corey, which, by forcing him into this role, pushes him even further from his
father. It is this mentality in Troy that also prevents him from connecting
with Rose. He is not able to see her hurt and desire for freedom because he is
too busy remembering how she once was-- what they once were. Troy attempts to
force his family to conform to his beliefs and slowly fence them in. Bound by
his routines, he allows no changes to be made. He worked, therefore his boys must
work, and every Friday, he drinks with Bono. Troy restricts himself to
tradition. All of this is his way of pushing forward—of, as he says, “cut[ting]
it [the world] down to where I could handle it” (Wilson 1765).
The fence Troy builds not only keeps out his family
and friends but his race as well. Every Friday as Bono and Troy sit on the
porch conversing about life, Troy has something negative to say about the black
community. He even insults Jackie Robinson, a hero, by saying, “Jackie Robinson
was a nobody” (Wilson 1746). Troy talks himself up in such a way that he aligns
himself with the whites. He also puts down his race by referring to everyone as
“nigger”. This derogatory term would force the characters to be beneath him,
again keeping him isolated. This is only further emphasized in Troy’s
promotion. Lifting is beneath him, and he asks to be a driver, which he is not
even qualified to do. However, he feels that if the white man can do it, he can
too. After said promotion however, he feels lonely and even loses touch with
Bono. Thus, another fence has been built.
The only way in which the characters can achieve freedom
is in Troy’s death. Corey finally realizes that his father is a part of him,
but he has the ability to break the cycle. As Gabe sings to heaven, the gates
are opened, and Troy and his family are finally free from their confinement.
