Coop Publishing House students respond to August Wilson's play "Fences"
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Self Actualization
Benie N’sumbu "I took all my feelings, my wants and needs, my dreams...and I buried them inside you. I planted a seed and waited and prayed over it." --Rose Maxson to Troy Although there were many major themes at play throughout the movie, one that really stuck with me is this idea of unactualized humans, particularly Rose and her husband Troy, who took their unfulfillable dreams and let them fester for years. Troy, a black man with a disturbing and troubling past, had to give up his dreams of playing major league baseball because segregation laws forbade him. This discrimination wounded Troy so much that it grew into a desperate need to prevent his son from playing any kind of professional sport, even if a football scholarship could reward him with a free ride to college. Because he couldn’t fulfill his own potential, he stopped his son Cory from doing the same. This in turn forced Cory to enlist in the Marines to be able to provide for himself and that stumped his self-actualization growth. If the movie were to continue further, I think Cory would have eventually done a version of what his father did to him. People who aren’t able to self actualize need to do so in some way and sometimes it seems the only way left for them is to do so by plopping their dreams onto other people. Because she was not only a woman, but a black woman, Rose had no choice but to give up her own dreams and needs. She instead invested in Troy, hoping that he would help her grow and reach her own self potential, but he failed. The disappointment from their failure to self actualize must have been a substantial factor in the deterioration of their marriage. Troy wasn’t happy in actual daily life so he found happiness elsewhere and that constant searching for something to fill up the hole in his life eventually led to him ruin his family. For Rose, since she wasn’t even given an opportunity to fulfill her dreams because of her race and sex, she had to get that same satisfaction from someone else and that someone was Troy. However, by devoting so much to him she forgot to take care of herself. All of this unhappiness was bubbling under the surface, a volcano waiting to erupt. What I really liked about "Fences" was that it showed you what can happen when 1) you don’t follow your dreams and/or 2) society prevents you from doing so. Troy and Rose’s story was just one story, but this happened to millions of black people who were held back from self actualizing by society. How can one reach their full potential, accept themselves wholeheartedly for who they are, and be motivated to grow as a person when one can’t even have the opportunities to do so? ----------------------------------- Reflection on "Fences" By Kevin Vick 4/18 "Fences" was an extremely moving film--it involved death, fear and love. The movie followed the life of Troy Maxson (played by Denzel Washington). Troy is a father and husband and is an angry overbearing, and controlling man. He’s 100% sure that the judgment that he puts upon his family is right, yet we found out further down the line in the film that his judgement was wrong and it left his family in complete disarray. His son Cory, is being emotionally abused by Troy. He explains this in the scene where they get into a physical altercation. Here, he tells his father that he’s so afraid in so many ways. He’s afraid of turning on the radio or hearing him walk through their house. So many things about his father scared Cory to his core, and it was built up and released in that scene with the both of them. I’ve been in the same predicament but with my mother; my feelings were built up so things were said, loudly, which resulted in a verbal argument. It did not get physical but it went on for a while. The worst part of it all was that it was my mom. It wasn’t any other relative; it was my mom, who I’m extremely close with. The tension went on for 1-2 months and it felt like hell. It was so uncomfortable seeing her and not wanting to talk; it felt like she didn’t love me. And telling her that made it 100 times worse. Seeing her cry because of me was just the dagger. It killed me and her, almost how it killed Troy and Cory's relationship. ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
Beyond Our Fences
Joan Benson 4/18 "Fences" is a film of many metaphors--the most governing one is the fence itself. Troy Maxson had not only built a fence for his house, but also for his mind. It kept him in, while his family was left on the outside. Troy had a lot of different issues arising with multiple people; I think he was trying to isolate himself. He was very unhappy with how his life was turning out. He was constantly arguing with his son to the point where there was a physical altercation that led to him kicking his son out of the house. He started sleeping with another woman and kept convincing himself that he would never do such a thing to his wife, Rose. He fenced in his wife and sons. He fenced in his friend Bono. He fenced in his pregnant mistress. But the most significant fence is the one he built around him and his relationship with Death. He was lying to himself and drawing attention to the belief that Death was after him. He would bring up Death as if it were a person. Whenever things were getting too deep, Death would take over and fog his mind, becoming his greatest distraction. Troy was starting to trap himself within the fences he’d built in his mind, which was the only way he could keep away from the actual problems that he felt like he couldn’t solve. I think that we all build fences at one point or another. I know I have. I’ve been trying to avoid a lot of things lately. I think I pretend that I can’t see past my fences, as if they block everything out; but fences aren’t walls. Fences aren’t soundproof and they have slats that you can see through, and people on the other side can see in too. That’s why eventually Troy had to tell the truth to Rose. His mistress was pregnant. He couldn’t ignore what Bono had been saying throughout the play--that he had been straying; he couldn’t pretend that the baby wasn’t real. He desperately wanted a life beyond his home, so he had to face his problems once and for all. Eventually, Troy pushed everyone who loved him away, leaving him with no one but Death itself. Inside that fenced-in arena, Death won Troy’s mind long before his body left the earth. Thoughts about "Fences" Kyrah Cavanaugh 4/18 The movie “Fences” was good. At first I wasn’t really paying attention because Troy was talking about sports and sports aren’t really interesting to me, but then I actually started watching it a bit and I enjoyed it. I didn’t like Troy because he was so pessimistic and acted like everyone owed him something when they didn’t. I felt bad for Rose because no matter what she did, Troy still cheated and didn’t even feel bad about it. Rose didn’t end up kicking Troy out when the mother of his child died due to birth complications. Instead, she stepped up to take the mother’s place. I give her respect for making that decision. I also felt bad for Cory because he was so scared of Troy and then when he finally decided to speak he got kicked out because Troy fought him. It seemed that Troy was jealous of Cory because he had more opportunities, especially with sports. Troy couldn’t succeed due to racial discrimination, but things were different when Cory was older. I understood why he wouldn’t want to go to his father’s funeral, but Rose was right about how disrespecting your father won’t make you a man. Eventually Troy's best friend didn’t come around as much and they seemed so distant and he even went up against his own son. It seemed as if fatherhood changed Troy and the atmosphere around him. I felt as though Troy’s daughter was his karma because when he brought her home, Rose decided she didn’t want Troy, but understood that his daughter was innocent and deserved a mother figure. This was put forth very powerfully in the Rose’s comment, “From right now this child got a mother. But you a womanless man.” ----------------------------------- Parent-Child Relationships Advice by Mia James 4/18 Today’s advice column is based on a play I’m watching in class called “Fences.” The scene I chose to write advice about is how the father’s anger affected the way his son viewed him and felt about him. When a parent is emotionally distressed or sick, it affects any child that’s in the household. Personally, I feel as if a parent needs to make time for their child. They should not just to raise them, but give them the love and support that they not only need, but deserve. My advice to anyone who has a parent who is “not doing their job” is to have a deep conversation with your parent and if that doesn’t help you need to let go. Don’t try to force a relationship with someone who doesn’t want one. I’m not saying Troy Maxson (the father in Fences) didn’t want a relationship with his son, Cory, but in the era they lived in Troy didn’t have time for his kids; he needed to work. Eventually your parent will regret their behavior and try to make amends, but it is up to you whether you want that or not. My dad lives in New York while I live in Connecticut. He used to work double shifts and couldn’t be there for me like I wanted, but I always had my mom. I don’t dislike my dad because he had to work a lot and provide for his kids, but it did change the way I grew up; not having him around affected me. A parent not being there does affect the child in that home and it’s tough, but it’s life and that’s something a lot of kids have to go through. My song for this week is “Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer because at the end of the day life must go on and you have to keep yourself going. If you need an additional boost, you can also listen to W.A.Y.S. by Jhene Aiko <3. |
How Gender Contributes to ‘Fences’
Brookelyn Hazelwood 4/18 I think gender plays a big role in the movie “Fences” because as women we are expected to be ‘caretakers’ even when we do not have to be. In my Advanced Placement Language + Composition course, we are working on a gender unit and this movie opened my eyes to see how gender roles are both interpreted and automatically assigned. I will explain. For years and years, women have been given the role of being ‘the perfect wife’ or ‘the perfect mother.’ Women cook, clean, and are expected to take care of everyone but themselves. In “Fences,” Troy Maxson asks Rose to help take care of the child that he cheated on her to create. We can tell that he expects her to say yes because she is his wife and a woman, or else he would not have even asked her. Also, in the movie, Rose does all of the cooking and cleaning. She doesn't just clean the house, she cleans up Troy’s personal messes that he makes on his own. She was a ‘ride or die’ when it came to him and continued to be loyal towards him even after her trust was weakened and ultimately broken. Is the role that women have had to play fair? No. Why should women stay within the fences that men have created to keep us from doing the things they are freely able to do? These fences do not just affect women, but boys who turn into men, also. Cory, Troy’s son, spent many years being scared of his dad or just accepting the unacceptable things that Troy had done. Cory even allowed Troy to take away his dream, football, and was scared to confront him about it. Towards the middle of the film, it took Cory all his strength to break through these emotional fences and that was what allowed his voice to be heard. Things are changing rapidly right now, but how are fences identified today? Men still have more authority in the culture, and as a result, women still have similar issues and obstacles as they did in the 1950s. Controlling and manipulative men are still available today, but what should women do to stop this? I suggest we put our feet down and make men realize that we are not toys. We are human beings. We are grownups, not children. And as such, we are truly and completely equal. In our relationships, we should not be trapped within the fences of disloyalty. We should not be expected to be submissive. And we should not be expected to revolve around men’s decisions and actions and pick up the pieces when men think it’s okay to take advantage of their power. ----------------------------------- Fences Reflection Leizhor Boateng 4/18 The part of the film that stuck out to me the most was the first argument between Cory and Troy when Cory quit his job to play football and his father didn’t approve. It stuck out to me because I feel like even today some fathers have a set future in their head for their kids, especially their sons. I could relate to this scene in a way because I know my father wanted me to be something along the lines of a doctor or lawyer. The only difference between my father and Troy was that when I told my father I didn’t want to do anything of those things he wasn’t upset. He didn’t force me to do anything. He told me to do what I think is right and to really think about the choices I want to make for my future before I make them. Overall, I thought the movie was great. I really didn’t like Troy's character at all. I feel like he wasn’t a loving father. He made it seem like just providing for the family was enough to show his love for them. It’s not all about the money and the food on the table. Interactions with your family are important also. The way he interacted with people was terrible. Even though Troy wasn’t the best father, Cory was kind of wrong in some situations too. I feel like no matter how bad your relationships get with your parents there is no reason for you to disrespect them or talk to them in any type of way you want. They are the people who brought you into this world so there should at least be a little respect when you speak to them. Cory’s tone toward Troy slowly became terrible. I understand why but that doesn’t make it right to be so disrespectful. If Cory would have just asked his dad politely to move out of his way he would have still had a roof over his head. Politely asking for him to move out of the way wasn’t going to kill him. Sometimes you need to put your pride aside. Being a ‘man” isn’t more important than being respectful to your parents. No matter what. ------------------------------------- |
Times have Changed
Erica Cardona 4/18 We used to drink the same tears Just two petals on the same flower But now it's different Times have changed You grew towards the sun When I found comfort in the moon We used to be inseparable But now it's different Times have changed We no longer move adjacent to each others’ needs But into parallel worlds You embellishing in the wants While I sacrifice for the needs But now it's different Times have changed Just as you are You crave to be seen and accepted As I find peace in an evaporation, vanishing without a trace But now this is different You became a vine to the fences And I had no choice but to wilt No escape because death was knocking on the door ------------------------------------------ “Fences” By Erica Cardona 4/18 With a house divided We are a nation Imprisoned By the fences governing our intellect We are still in chains Shackles rooted in our souls Those who try to awoken Are shaken, drowned, and broken Until their chains Have further infiltrated Climbing up the sections blocked by fences Ever imprisoning their minds ------------------------------------------- Walls and Fences Ana Lujan and Ioanis Torres 4/18 There has been a big controversy regarding Donald Trump's attempts to build a wall to keep Hispanics from crossing the border into the United States. Many people believe that this is the answer to America’s “immigration problem,” and others believe there is no immigration problem (at least not as bad as some people make it out to be), just a bunch of ignorant people who can’t accept anyone who is different from them. Many people complain that Hispanics come here to distribute drugs or to join gangs and cause havoc. Now, I’m not going to lie and say that all Hispanics are good because we’re not; some of us have had a hard life and that, unfortunately, has led us to make bad decisions, but those individuals' mistakes shouldn’t label our whole race. These prejudiced thoughts are what Trump uses to fuel people’s racism towards Hispanics, which in turn helps make sure his one goal of kicking every single undocumented Hispanic out of America will come true. They try to keep me out with walls but my desire will jump over I will find a way I will find a way I will succeed Many people complain about the fact that Hispanics come here to steal their jobs, but aren’t willing to take those very jobs they are “fighting” for. They’re not willing to do any “dirty work,” but they don’t want those who are willing to take it either. Not only that, most Americans won’t work for anything less than the minimum wage and they complain if they have to work overtime or their hours get cut. But you want to know something? Hispanic immigrants don’t always get that luxury. They work the hours they can and accept whatever people are willing to pay them. And people take advantage of this. They make them work twice as much and twice as hard and then have the audacity to pay them less than minimum wage. In fact, there is a pay gap for Hispanics in general and they get paid less for doing the same work as a non-Hispanic person). But what can we do? They are lucky enough they have jobs; they just have to learn to survive with the salary we’re given. They can’t be too picky because not everyone is going to be “generous” enough to hire them, undocumented or not. I need to feed my family. Help me! I need to stay warm in the cold winters. Help me! I need to put my children in college. Help me! I work hard. Help me! Why won’t you help me? One of the most distressing things about this whole issue is that Americans can revel in Hispanic culture, but can’t seem to accept the people. Americans can drink our liquor, dress in our clothes, eat our food, and listen to our music, yet they can’t welcome our righteous, hard-working people into this country. We have such a big influence on the things people like, yet they can’t take us in. It seems that most Americans are fighting for us to go, but don’t you think it would be better to put all of that energy and effort into fighting something more important like drug trafficking, sex trafficking, police brutality, and gun violence. The list can go on and on, but Americans are more focused on kicking people out of their homes than they are in keeping people safe. --------------------------------------------- Fences: A Response Ileanie Mercado 4/18 The movie "Fences" was a good movie in my point of view because it was like a rollercoaster of emotions. The end was a shock to me because (spoiler alert) I didn’t know Troy was going to pass away. I could tell he had a lot on his shoulders by the way he took everything in and spoke, which made me wonder if he couldn’t take all the stress and anger and decision. I wondered if the little girl was going to grow up knowing that both of her parents passed away, even through Rose was taking care of her and claiming her as her own. Someone who was having a really hard time in the play was Cory because he was trying to pursue his dreams and live his life but couldn’t because Troy wouldn’t let him. Troy threatened him so many times, to the point where Cory would flinch when Troy spoke his name. But the character who really touched me was Rose because she gave her all to Troy. She grew a life with him, gave 10 years and more to Troy and found out he had cheated and was having a child with another woman. That broke me because in today’s marriages this happens a lot. It was like I was watching someone's real life even though it was actually a movie. There were some things I could relate to and disagree with, but overall the movie was good and I would rate it 9 out of 10 because it’s that type of movie you just have to watch in your spare time. |
