Sunday, October 21, 2012
One of the prominent motifs in August Wilson’s acclaimed play, "Fences", is baseball. Firstly, Troy Maxson is connected to baseball because he was once a star in the Negro Leagues. However, despite his exceptional talent in hitting the ball outside of the park, which has made him well known, he was not accepted to the Major Leagues due to the fact that he is African American. Troy’s standing as a once promising baseball player provides him credence as an authority of the baseball stars in the 1950s. Indeed, it can even be said that Troy would have been a great player if not for the racial issues in the sport during the time.Troy comes to know Josh Gibson because they share the same circumstances in their baseball careers. Like Troy, Josh Gibson was a star player for the Negro Leagues and could have been of great value to the Major League? But because he was also African American, he was denied admission to the Major League. However, their main difference is that unlike Troy, Josh Gibson made a wonderful career for himself which was tragically cut short by his premature death at the age of thirty-five years. Gibson’s career as a player is symbolic in the play because it is a historical illustration of how racial issues affect individuals. The segregation of races in baseball prevented Troy from achieving his full potential. And like a cruel joke on his life, the Major League started accepting blacks when he was already past his prime. As Rose tells Troy, “They got lots of colored boys playing ball now. Baseball and football” (I.i.76). Similarly, Bono understands the tragic circumstances that hindered Troy. He tells him that “Times have changed, Troy, you just come along too early” (I.i.77).Because Troy’s tragedy lies in his failure to enter the Major League, he becomes fixated with baseball and uses it to describe the circumstances of other characters. For instance, he keeps tab of Cory’s defiance by pertaining to his insubordination as “strike one” and “strike two.” Moreover, he rationalizes his affair with Alberta by saying that he wants “to steal second” (II.i.118). And finally, he regards death as a “fastball on the outside corner” (I.i.82) and frequently refers to his story about his battle with death he fabricates.
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Yes, baseball is a huge part of Troy’s life. He refers to back to baseball with everything that happens around him. Baseball even effects his relationship with his son. Troy’s baseball experience effects how he treats Cory. He can’t look past what happened to him. He doesn’t understand that the times have changed and African Americans are accepted to play ball. Troy tells Cory, “The white man ain’t gonna let you get nowhere with that football noway.” (1.3.73). I thought Troy would be more understanding because he has the same passion, but it brought out the worst in him. He still holds Cory back and ruins his chances to follow his dreams. He stops Cory from playing and tells him he needs to get a real job.
ReplyDeleteTroy sure loved his baseball and as you said is very evident throughout the play. There was a joy and excitement that Troy had when talking about baseball, but also a lot of bitterness because he racial issues. He grew bitter not only towards the whites in baseball at the time but also the African Americans that were accepted into the major league. He also talked about how he was better and that certain players should be in the majors. It was kind of sad to see how much he use to love baseball and now also has bitterness along side that love. I felt that this bitterness lead to all of his problems with family and his lack of understanding that times had changed.
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