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Downfall In Arthur Miller's Fences

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In the play Fences by Arthur Miller, Troy Maxson lives his life telling his wife Rose and his sons Cory and Lyons how they ought to live their lives according to his perception and ideals. Troy believes that both his sons ought to give up their foolish dreams, Cory as a football athlete and Lyons as a musician, and work hard in order to have their own jobs, so no one can take their hard work away from them. Troy makes it clear to both his sons that as long as they continue to live in his house they have to abide by his rules “ I don’t care what anybody else say. I’m the boss…you understand? I’m boss around here. I do the only saying what counts (Wilson 1855). Troy expects everyone around him to do what he wishes and what pleases him, despite …show more content…
Despite what Troy is convinced, Troy was not deprived of his opportunities because he was black, troy caused his own downfall by stealing and paying for his crime. Troy was locked up for a crime he committed and by the time he became a free man, he was too old to play baseball and make a successful future for him self. As a result, Troy refuses to admit his flaw and lives an illusion through building a fence around his house. Troy believes that the fence will guard his family against all the unwanted intruders and keep his sons from being exposed to the pain and cruelty of life. According to Gale Virtual Reference Library the significance of Troy’s fence “Troy builds a fence around Cory to keep him from his goals and desires. Troy’s efforts at controlling his son create an imaginary fence that keeps the boy separate from his family for seven years” (186). Troy is too fixated on preventing his sons from experiencing the same fate he did that not only does he succeed in building a physical fence, but his fence does not work to keep out the intruders, it actually keeps his son Cory out of his …show more content…
Biff addresses his father and hurts him by saying: “You fake! You phony little fake”(Miller 1507). Willy feels humiliated and ashamed of himself that he is lead to believe that the only way to redeem himself is through killing himself, so that his son can inherit the insurance money and benefit from it. Willy is convinced that Biff hates him and so, Willy cannot bring himself to live and face the shame and guilt he created. Even though Willy wants the best interest for his son, he does not realize that if he were to commit suicide his sons will not receive any money. Even though Linda, Willy’s wife, does not have any knowledge of her husband’s unfaithfulness, she loves him unconditionally. Throughout his struggles and suffering Linda continues to love her husband despite the fact that he mistreats her. Even though Willy tries to commit suicide, Linda cannot bring herself to make Willy feel ashamed about her knowledge in his foolish attempts to commit suicide. Linda’s love towards Willy is illustrated through her standing by Willy’s side every time Willy and Biff get into a fight. Despite who is at fault, Linda always sides and defends Willy even though he mistreats her and yells at her not to get involved in their arguments or fights. During the ending of the play as Linda stands over Willy’s grave, she does not understand why Willy committed suicide. They

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