Fences Men and Masculinity Quotes

Here Troy tells the story of the day he left home. His father caught him making out with a neighbor girl instead of doing his work. He then tried to chase Troy off so he could have the thirteen-year-old girl for himself.

It seems pretty noble to us that Troy stood up to his father on this day. He must've known his dad was going to beat the crap out of him for it, yet still Troy saved the girl from his father's lecherous clutches. Notice, however, that to Troy, becoming a man was defined by violence. Specifically, it was defined by violence between father and son. This idea has tragic effects later on in the play.

Troy thinks that Cory is old enough to take care of himself now. He kicks his son out into the world to fend for himself. To Troy, this is how a boy becomes a man – by making his own way in the world.

In their final climactic battle, Cory picks up Troy's bat and threatens him with it. Troy stands up to his father but ultimately loses the fight. He then leaves home to make his own way in the world. Notice that this is the very same thing that happened to Troy. Also, notice that the weapon used here is a baseball bat. To us, this seems like a pretty obvious phallic (penis-like) symbol. It seems pretty appropriate in this manly battle for domination.