Feminist Perspective on "Fences
In "Fences" by August Wilson, Rose Maxson proves that a woman in the 1950's can have the upper hand. Rose is the heart of the Maxson family and the peacemaker. Her husband, Troy, is a bully which only makes Rose stronger. Living in the 1950's was difficult time for an African-American woman, but she made it work. Thinking more towards the good and not so much the bad, Rose realizes that times are changing for the better. In Troy's opinion, the black man will always be inferior. Lyons, who is Troy's son from a previous marriage, seems to always come around whenever he wants something. Rose feels that Lyons only needs a little help and guidance, but Troy refuses to give it to him. So Rose decides to demand it for her stepson. Cory, Rose and Troy's son, on the other hand has made a way for himself and only wants acceptance from Troy. Rose encourages Cory to play football and keep good grades, but Troy tries to rain on his success. Rose manages to keep her sprits up, despite hardships and not enough money. She feels that family is the richest resource anywhere. "
Coussoule, Jason. Rock Mountain News, Fences Scores, May 2001. DiYanni, Robert. Literature Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. McGraw-Hill Boston, It is Rose's capacity for gratitude and forgiveness that her son Cory must internalize on the morning of Troy's funeral. After a seven-year absence, the young man has returned in his marine uniform, proudly wearing his corporal's stripes. There is an aura of maturity about him but also a lingering bitterness; he refuses to attend his father's funeral. Rose articulates the deep truth that Cory does not want to face. "You just like him. You got him in you good."(DiYanni, 1311) Rose's words, wise as they are, would have been ineffectual without the catalyst of Raynell, Troy's illegitimate daughter now seven years old, whom Cory meets for the first time. Together they sing a song about Troy's boyhood dog, Old Blue. The song is a cultural legacy that bridges the generations; a legacy created by Troy's father and passed on through Troy to Cory and Raynell. Lillie, Jim, Westword, Swing Away, May 3, 2001. "Quite notice
Some common words found in the essay are:
Troy Maxson, Dillard Troy, Troy Rose, Rose Maxson, War II, Raynell Troy's, African American, Lyons Troy's, Rose--perhaps Rose--he, Christianity Jesus, funeral rose, african american, troy's son, american women, african american women, troy's funeral,
Approximate Word count = 726
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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