A Father's Curse

In August Wilson’s Fences, Troy, Lyons, and Cory lead their lives in a similar way because they have inherited their lifestyle from their fathers. Men and women tend to learn parenting skills from their parents; therefore, they will raise their children in the same manner in which they were raised.
Troy’s mid-life crisis has destroyed his family. He is tired of responsibility, and he turns to another woman for comfort. He disregards the stability of his family in order to search for happiness with another woman. His family cannot forgive his betrayal. He speaks poorly of his father because his father had affairs with other women and did not care about his children unless work or responsibility was involved. Whenever he talks to Bono about his father, he says, “Sometimes I wish I hadn’t known my daddy”. Troy does not realize it, but he ...