Troy Maxson Character Analysis

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What are the signs of a bad parent, many ask? Troy Maxson is a horrible parent because countless times he was holding his kids back, not there for them during the precious moments of their childhood, and not supportive of any of their dreams.
Throughout the book, Troy Maxson held his kids back from achieving their full potential. For example, in act two he made sure that his own son’s dreams of playing football wouldn’t come true, as said, “Papa done went up to the school, and told Coach Zelman I can’t play football no more. Wouldn’t even let me play the game. Told him to tell the recruiter not to come”(pg 57,Wilson). From Troy telling the recruiter he could not come for Cory’s one opportunity to go to college and get a good education was a cruel decision to make for his son. That is just one of many actions by Troy that held his kids back from achieving their full potential.
Not only did he hold his kids back, he was also not there to see his kids to grow. In this scene, Troy was telling his son how he needs a real job to start earning a living. Lyons is clearly in act to show his resentment for his father not being there as a child. “If you wanted to change me, you should have been …show more content…
Countless times Lyons would ask his dad to go to one of his concerts, and the many times he responded, saying, “I don’t like that Chinese music. All that noise”(page?,Troy). This quote shows Troy shows no interest in his kids’ dreams and he is not very supportive to his own children. He never showed any love/support towards his kids in nearly all of the book.
Throughout the book, Troy demonstrated he was a bad parent because he held his kids back, not there during their childhood, and he was not supportive of their dreams. Those characteristics that Troy portrayed throughout the play make a terrible father. Would you say Troy is a bad parent too, or do you think he is a good parent?

Wilson, August.Fences. Plume. New York, NY.
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