In Fences, by August Wilson, deception is a key theme that is explored. This is most notably seen in the relationships between Troy and his son, Cory, and between Troy and Rose.
Troy often deceives Cory by not telling him the truth about his life and what he has done. For example, Troy hides the fact that he was once in prison from Cory. He does this because he doesn’t want Cory to think less of him. Troy also deceives Rose by not telling her about his relationship with Alberta. He does this because he doesn’t want her to think less of him or to be upset with him.
Ultimately, deception leads to problems in these relationships. For example, Troy’s secrets end up causing a rift between him and Cory. Additionally, Troy’s deception leads to Rose leaving him.
Thus, Fences is a play that explores the consequences of deception. It shows how deception can damage relationships and can ultimately lead to sadness and heartbreak.
In the play, Fences, which is set in 1957 through 1965 and is based on August Wilson’s life of experiences, Troy Maxson was a garbage collector. In the beginning of the play, he appears as a hardworking man who believes in himself (Gale, 3). As he fought for equality in an society that appeared to give him none of his concerns, Troy went through rebellion and frustrations. His actions and attitudes towards his family can be viewed as those of a violent and evil father by some people.
However, if we look closer into Troy’s life, it is shown that most of his anger and deceits were due to the lack of opportunities that were given to him based on the color of his skin. Fences displays the many layers of deception in order to survive as a black man in America.
One layer of deception can be seen when Troy tells Cory that he will take him to see baseball game. In reality, Troy takes Cory to a place where they can watch another baseball game for free. Troy does this because he knows that Cory loves baseball and wants him to have a good time. However, Troy also has an ulterior motive which is to keep Cory away from Gerald, who is Cory’s best friend. Troy is afraid that Gerald will influence Cory to do drugs and get into trouble. So, Troy uses deception as a way to protect Cory from harm.
Another layer of deception can be seen when Troy hides his extramarital affairs from his wife, Rose. Troy knows that it would hurt Rose if she found out about his affairs, so he keeps them a secret. This is another example of how Troy uses deception as a way to protect those he loves.
Troy’s life was full of deception in order to survive in a society that does not always offer fairness to people of color. Fences displays the many layers of deception in order for black men and women to get ahead despite the obstacles they face.
When Cory quits his job to concentrate on football, his father retaliates by going to the coach and prohibiting him from playing. Another significant lie is Troy’s connection with his mistress. He lies to Bono early in the play about the nature of this relationship and hides it from his wife as well, falsely claiming they are merely friends.
Finally, Troy also deceives his son by pretending to be angry at him when he has in fact been proud of Cory’s accomplishments. All of these deceptions have serious consequences. Cory is injured on the football field and his relationship with his father is damaged. Troy’s affair leads to his wife’s suicide and his relationship with Bono is destroyed. Troy’s deception of Cory also contributes to the son’s decision to leave home. In Fences, August Wilson explores the destructive power of deception and its effects on individuals and families.
Deception is a powerful tool that can be used for good or bad. In Fences, August Wilson examines the consequences of deception in family relationships. Cory quits his job in order to focus on playing football, but his father retaliates by going to the coach and forbidding Cory from playing.
However, when looked at in a broad perspective, he appears to be someone who accepts responsibility for his family, no matter how difficult things may appear. As a result, he comes across as a caring father who strives to keep his family together and ensure that they have all they require. August therefore uses Troy Maxson in the play to express a variety of themes relating to the challenges that most African dysentery sufferers in the United States faced while staying in regions that were mostly inhabited by whites.
First and foremost, Troy is a victim of deception which was brought about by the American Dream. This can be noted from the fact that he had illusions about life which were not realistic. In other words, he expected too much from life without putting in enough effort. Notably, this was as a result of being brought up in an era where racism was dominant.
For instance, he thought that just because he was good at playing baseball, he would automatically become rich and famous. However, once his talents were discovered by white people, they took advantage of him by giving him low paying jobs which did not match his talent. As a result, Troy felt deceived by the whites and ended up having a lot of bitterness towards them. This is clearly illustrated when he says “I ain’t no slave. I’m a free man.”
In Fences, Troy is not the only character who experiences deception. Lyons, Troy’s son from a previous relationship, experiences it as well. However, Lyons’ case is different in that he knows what he wants and is willing to do whatever it takes to get it including deceiving people. For instance, Lyons tells his father that he is a successful musician who is about to get married, but this is not true.
In reality, he is unemployed and has no intentions of getting married any time soon. He does this in order to get money from Troy. Another example of deception in Fences can be found in the character of Rose. Like Troy, Rose is a victim of racism. However, she does not let it get to her. In fact, she uses it to her advantage by pretending to be weak and helpless in order to get what she wants.
An example of this is when she tells Troy that she is unable to have children. This is not true because she has already had a child before the play begins. Ultimately, Fences is a play that explores the theme of deception and its effects on individuals and families. August Wilson uses Troy Maxson as a vehicle to show how deception can lead to bitterness, anger, and unmet expectations.