Fences Tragic Hero

Words: 1534

Pages: 7

Open Document

The play Fences, by August Wilson, classifies as a tragedy in accordance with the permateteros for a tragedy outlined by Arthur Miller in his essay, “Tragedy and the Common Man.” Miller describes four essential criteria in order for a work of literature to be classified as a tragedy. First, the tragic character must be willing to give up his life in order to ensure his position in society. A tragic character, also, must have a tragic flaw, namely his inability to remain passive while injustices occur against them. Additionally, a tragic character possesses a fear of being pushed away from what he view as his path or destiny. Lastly, Miller explains that a tragedy must have a potential to end happily thus instilling hope in the audience. …show more content…
Miller writes, “The possibility of victory must be there in a tragedy.” (p. 151) Miller claims that a tragedy must have the potential to end happily and give the audience hope of an optimistic ending and then despite this hope end tragically. Troy has an affair with a women, Alberta, which ultimately destroys his relationship with Rose. When Alberta becomes pregnant Troy decides to reveal his affair to Rose. Rose is furious and asks Troy if he plans to continue to see Alberta. Being faced with this question, Troy has the potential to say he will stop seeing Alberta and apologize to Rose in attempts to save his marriage. Despite Troy’s option to stop seeing Alberta, Troy responds to Rose by explaining that Alberta makes him laugh and feel happy in a way that he cannot feel with Rose. Troy then says, “‘Rose, I can’t give that up.’” (p. 69) With this comment Troy eliminates his potential to continue living happily with Rose. Shortly later, Alberta dies in childbirth and Troy asks Rose to take in his and Alberta’s daughter which further damages his marriage to Rose. Ultimately, when Rose asked Troy about his continuing to see Alberta, the play had the potential to end happily, however, Troy’s response leads to the play ending in sadness thus rendering it a tragedy according to

Fences Monologue

My son, Cory Maxson, and I are building a fence for our house. I have been planning on that fence for a long time. It will protect my house and my family from robbers or any animal that wants into our yard. I trust in my fence. Cory says to me that he wants to quit a job at A&P supermarket and play football. I am really angry at him. I strongly object to him doing this. I also warn Cory about this idea. I know my son gets good grades at school and is a respectful son. The relationship between Cory…

Words 809 - Pages 4

Cruelty In August Wilson's Fences

them with forgiveness as God, in his largeness and laws.” August wilson quotes himself to start out Fences, and this quote he’s brought up embodies the play as a whole. The action in Fences is largely centered around Troy Maxson, a larger than life character who may very well be one of the best crafted and most controversial characters in modern literature. Troy is meant to be the tragic hero in Fences, but his interactions with other characters, specifically Cory, his son can make it difficult for…

Words 593 - Pages 3

Is Troy Maxson a “Tragic Hero?” Essay

A tragic hero is a character who used to do good deeds in the light of others but allows for his flaws or inner struggles to overcome him. As a result, this downfall leads to the character’s death. In the case of Troy Maxson, main character from the play “Fences” by August Wilson, it is clear that he constantly struggles to keep up with good deeds for his family, but unfortunately allowed his inner flaws to lead him to his lonely and tragic death. Therefore, Troy Maxson is indeed considered a tragic…

Words 1409 - Pages 6

Racism In A Lesson Before Dying

The fourth trait, that a tragic hero must have wasted potential and be pitiable, puts the reader at odds, on one hand Troy most definitely suffers from wasted potential, his baseball career being the most notable, and on the other hand Troy throughout the entirety of the book, with the exception of maybe his failed baseball career, is not pitiable. His actions are egotisitc and immature, his life may be tragic but he does not represent the height of heroism in any way. An underlying concept in the…

Words 2107 - Pages 9

Death Of A Salesman Analysis

America was in better economic condition than any other country in the world, but this didn’t mean all Americans were home free. Especially working-class Americans still clinging to the hope of the infamous American dream. Both Death of A Salesman, and Fences major themes revolve around the demise of the American patriarch of a single family, including fathers who commit adultery and illustrate their characters' attempts to make the elusive American dream a reality, specifically the fictional families…

Words 1004 - Pages 5

My Hero's Journey

a passion for almost all sports as he grew up not being exposed to any extra technology unlike other teens his age. Drew was a guy with a good mind and a soft heart. His parents perished in a horrid fire when he was only a toddler. Ever since that tragic event, he was left with nothing but memories. He grew up as an outcast of society and was always ignored, sometimes even bullied by his peers. They would brutally beat him until the point where he couldn’t walk properly or think straight, Drew learned…

Words 1299 - Pages 6

1337492023 2011 Drama Notes 1 Essay

HSC REVISION – DRAMA Australian Drama and Theatre Early History and Development 1788 – 1850s - European settlers brought western traditions of theatre to Australia in the 1780s - Dominant attitudes shaped by the church (drama was innately evil) - Early colonial drama consisted of mostly English style musical theatre, comedies and pantomimes - Took on local themes and has been described merely as ‘disordered fun’ (humour and entertainment purposes) 1850s - 1900 - Biggest impact on Australian…

Words 5830 - Pages 24