AUGUST, WILSON: Fences How does Troy's upbringing influence his relationship with his children?

Troy's upbringing significantly influences his relationship with his children in the play "Fences" by August Wilson. As a child, Troy had an abusive father who treated him poorly, and this shaped his view of the world and relationships. Troy's father was physically abusive, and Troy had to work hard to escape from him. As a result, Troy developed a hard exterior and a tendency to dominate others, especially his family.

This experience affected his relationship with his sons, Lyons and Cory. He is often harsh and dismissive towards Lyons, his oldest son, and criticizes him for not having a steady job. Troy sees Lyons as lazy and undisciplined, which causes friction between them.

Similarly, Troy's relationship with Cory is also strained. Troy doesn't want Cory to play football, and he sees it as a waste of time. This is because he believes that racism will always limit Cory's opportunities, and he wants him to focus on getting a practical job. Cory, on the other hand, is passionate about football and feels like his father doesn't understand him. This leads to a major conflict between them, and Troy's overbearing nature causes a rift in their relationship.

In summary, Troy's troubled upbringing has a significant impact on his relationship with his children. His tendency to dominate and control them leads to conflicts and misunderstandings. His experiences with his abusive father have made him overly protective and critical, and he struggles to understand and connect with his children as a result.