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Troy Maxson is a complex and flawed character in August Wilson’s play Fences. He is a former baseball player who never had the opportunity to play professionally due to the color barrier in sports during his time. He is bitter about his past and struggles with an inability to communicate effectively with his family. He is also a devoted husband and father who tries to provide for his family, but his actions often lead to conflict and pain for those around him.
The protagonist of “Fences,” Troy is a complex character with a mixture of admirable qualities and significant flaws. A former Negro League baseball star, he’s now a garbage collector. He’s a charismatic storyteller but also domineering and sometimes cruel. Troy’s struggles with race, his sense of failure, his infidelity, and his harshness towards his sons define the family’s dynamics. His building of the literal fence throughout the play symbolizes various themes, including separation, protection, and the barriers between people.
