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Troy Maxson transforms into a lonely, unloved, fearful man from his original position as the center of attention in his family and social world. Though he constantly tries to escape his life, Troy Maxson tries to engage life and challenge Death because he believes in himself and his convictions, however illusionary they may be. Troy begins by confronting his employees about their discriminatory practices, he boasts to his best friend Bono and family member that he is not afraid of death and he keeps a secret that he thinks he can get away with about his affair with Alberta. When Troy demands respect from his son, Cory, he gets it and when he teases his other son Lyons, Troy feels bigger and better. Shown through the three Fridays interspersed in Fences, Troy rapidly descends into a lonely, friendless and loveless life when his fears, his anger and his secrets get the better of him, causing his loved ones to lose their respect for him and to change their life so that they do not depend on his presence anymore. Troy forfeits his role of loving and devoted husband, generous and responsible parent and loyal, honest and inspiring friend. Troy goes from juggling two relationships with women to having none. Troy calls the risky action of having an affair with Alberta, "stealing second." If that is how Troy plays ball at the beginning of the play, then one could say he ends the play as a benchwarmer.

Are Troy's problems self-created or out of his control?

In some ways, Troy had no control over his disappointments. Troy's self-doubts are rooted in his disappointing life and the hardships he endured while providing for himself and his family. Troy's demise is a combination of his own actions coming back to haunt him, a racist society and bad luck. Troy was born into a large, poor family with only an abusive, but hardworking father as a caretaker. He did not have any resources when he had to leave his father's house and he ended up in jail because he committed petty

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