Reflection on "Fences"

August Wilson's Fences is, understandably, an important part of the African-American theatre repertoire. It's a timeless play that speaks of racism, family relationships, and a sense of responsibility. Before I read the play, I assumed the racism mentioned on the back of the play would be white men harassing black men. I was surprised to learn that Troy Maxson is almost racist against his own people, if that's even possible. By this I mean that the only thing standing in Troy's way is himself. He doesn't seem to believe in himself, much less his son. He is satisfied accepting his situation as it stands and just running with it. Find a job, make an honest living, bring home money to his family. This is the creed which he lives by. And while there is certainly nothing wrong with that, it's a sad existence because clearly Troy doesn't want to live like that. He wants a better life but believes there is no way he can attain it. He clings with bitterness to his dream of being a baseball player that never came true. And while he blames it on "the white man," we find out from Rose that he was really too old to play baseball. It seems that Troy has a twisted view of the world, a view that limits him and, eventually, his son. Cory can't understand why Troy won't let him play football. In fact, it's this misunderstanding of his father that eventually motivates him to leave home. Troy thinks he's doing his ungrateful son a favor by not letting him play sports. In a way, he's trying to shield him from the disappointment he experienced. He's trying to teach him that dreaming of success in sports is a waste of time and he should just get a job instead. While Troy believes he's doing what's best for his son, what he's really doing is limiting Cory and making his decisions for him. The tension between father and son is an important theme in the play.