Troy ́s best friend Bono tells Troy that he thinks he should realize just how good and loving a woman Rose is to him. Annoyed by the fact that Bono feels the need to tell him this, Troy asks what drives Bono to say such a thing. Troy eventually admits to having an affair with Alberta, and Bono tells him that he needs to find a way to make things right. Fences is a play written by August Wilson. In the play, we are introduced to duty and betrayal. August Wilson uses life experiences to teach us about duty and betrayal.
An example of how duty and betrayal is a theme in Fences comes in Act 2 Scene 1. In the play, Rose says, “We’re not talking about baseball! We’re talking about you going off to lay in bed with another woman . . . and then bring it home to me. That’s what we’re talking about. We ain’t talking about no baseball.” This quote shows that even after fourteen years, Troy betrayed Rose by him sleeping with Alberta and getting her pregnant. As you can see, as a result, Rose is upset and feels betrayed.
Another example that shows duty and betrayal is in the play Troy says “it’s my job. my job. It’s my responsibility!… A man got to take care of his family. You live in my house . . . sleep you in my bedclothes . . . fill your belly up with my food . . . cause you my son. . . . Not ‘cause I like you!” This quote shows that Troy refuses to tell Cory he loves him rather, Troy tells Cory he only acts out of duty towards him as a son.
In act 1 scene 3 there is another quote that demonstrates the theme of duty.
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This theme is shown when the author writes, “You go on and get your book-learning so you can work yourself up in that A&P or learn how to fix cars or build houses or something, get you a trade. That way you have something can’t nobody take away from you. You go on and learn how to put your hands to some good use. Besides hauling people’s garbage.” This quote helps the reader understand how in that period he needed to step up and take control of his life if he wanted to have a successful future. He should not depend on anyone else for his future because at the end of the day, others may have different intentions for you than you may think.
My final example that shows the theme of betrayal in Fences is in Act 1 Scene 3. Lyons Maxson, Troy’s son says, “You and me is two different people, Pop. . . . I know I got to eat. But I got to live too. Now I don’t come criticizing you and how you live.” This quote means Troy wants him to do one thing but he’s doing the other thing because it makes him happy. Therefore this means that Lyons betrayed Troy because he isn’t doing what Troy wants him to.
In the play, we are introduced to duty and betrayal. August Wilson uses life experiences to teach us about duty and betrayal.
References
- Fences – An article discussing “Fences” as a tragic hero.
- Shmoop – An analysis of the themes in “Fences” by August Wilson, including duty and betrayal.
- GradeSaver – An analysis of the major themes in “Fences,” with a focus on duty and betrayal.
- Julii Wong – An essay discussing the theme of duty above love in “Fences.”
- Course Hero – A study guide featuring themes analysis for “Fences,” including duty and betrayal.
