Recognizing 'Fences' - Troy Maxson's identity politics


Term Paper, 2006

10 Pages, Grade: 1,0


Abstract or Introduction

August Wilson’s 1985 play Fences focuses on black urban life in the late 1950s and deals with intergenerational conflicts, racial issues, distress, and the search for one’s identity and position in life. The play’s protagonist, Troy Maxson, has been turned into a loud-mouthed, hard-hearted, and occasionally “crude and almost vulgar” (Wilson 1987, 1) oppressor as a result of the hardships of Afro-American life in the first half of the 20th century and the experiences of his youth; Troy abandoned home at the age of fourteen, after being beaten up by his sadistic father for having watched him rape a thirteen-year-old girl.
This paper is intended to examine the identity politics in Fences and will focus on the conflict between Troy and his second son Cory. First, it will highlight the importance of recognition for the development of human beings according to Charles Taylor’s theory and then show the negative effects of misrecognition and nonrecognition. Secondly, it will show the different phases of Troy’s misrecognition in the play and analyze how this leads to a mutilation of Cory’s personality.

Details

Title
Recognizing 'Fences' - Troy Maxson's identity politics
College
University of Tubingen
Course
PS II Contemporary US Drama: August Wilson
Grade
1,0
Author
Year
2006
Pages
10
Catalog Number
V63798
ISBN (eBook)
9783638567534
ISBN (Book)
9783638753203
File size
469 KB
Language
English
Notes
This paper deals with identity politics in August Wilson's play 'Fences'. It establishes the importances of proper recogntion according to Charles Taylor and G.H. Mead and links it Troy Maxson's behavior in regard to his son Cory in 'Fences'
Keywords
Recognizing, Fences, Troy, Maxson, Contemporary, Drama, August, Wilson, pittsburgh, century cycle, USA, corey, george herbert mead
Quote paper
Johannes Steffens (Author), 2006, Recognizing 'Fences' - Troy Maxson's identity politics, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/63798

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