In August Wilson's play “Fences” we see the life of Troy Maxson and the hardships he endured with his family. He is a struggling African American man trying to raise a family while balancing his daily life. Even though he was a hard worker, Troy lived with many flaws. He was far from the perfect father or role model for his children. His wife Rose had to endure the pains of marriage and also had to care for the illegitimate son Rayell he had with another woman. Troy was still trying to be the best father and husband possible, but struggled to express himself in a loving way due to his lack of commitment to his family. We learned about Troy's harsh upbringing as he begins to explain how he was raised and what he would be like. The role of a father is never easy. Troy wanted his children to be different from him. He didn't want them to end up on the same path as him. In Frank Pittman's web article “Fathers and sons” he explains how important the father-son relationship is and how it shapes men. “Becoming Father the Nurturer rather than simply Father the Provider allows a man to walk and fully express his humanity and masculinity. Being a father is the most manly thing a man can do." Not having a father figure to look up to had too much of an impact on how Troy would raise her children. Troy didn't want to be the father his father was, but he ended up doing the same harm his father had done to him. With his Lyon he never had the chance to raise him because Troy was in prison. The only way to support Lyons and Lyon's mother was to steal and this cost him fifteen years. “They told me I killed him and they put me in the penitentiary and locked me up for fifteen years.” Cory, her second son, took the same path and decided to leave home to become his own man. "Tell mom I'll come back for my things." (Wilson 1282) Troy's pride and inability to follow the right path for his children would cause them to turn away from him. Not only did he hurt his children by not showing compassion, but this would eventually lead to him cheating on him or his wife. He didn't want Cory to play sports because he felt it wouldn't lead to better opportunities. He felt the same way about Lyons and his music. He felt they both needed to work hard in school and get good-paying jobs. With jobs already hard to come by, he wanted them both to give up their hobbies and do something real. “The fact that African Americans, often concentrated in poor urban areas, have difficulty finding work.” Even though he never expressed his emotions correctly, he wanted the best for Lyons and Cory. He gave them all he could give and instilled good values ​​in them both. It is only after Troy's death that they both realize that their father was someone who loved them. Their silence between them at the end indicates the pain and love they both felt for him even though he wasn't the best father. “Cory nods. Lyons touches his shoulder and they share a moment of silent grief.” (Wilson