Rose and Troy’s relationship, which seems to start out close, quickly turns distant almost to the point of emotional cut-off. Rose puts all her time, effort and faith into her husband and son (Cory), but is stunted when Troy reveals that he has fathered a child (Raynell) by Alberta his secret lover. Throughout the book Rose exemplifies a character with the traits of understanding and compassion for Troy as well as for the other characters. When Troy was let out of prison he met Rose who became his wife. Troy’s attitude towards his son is out of protection but comes across as ridicule and judgment, which doesn’t allow for Lyons to understand or want to further connect with his father. Lyons mentioned in the book that Troy didn’t know him and he didn’t raise him. In addition I believe the disconnect between Lyons and Troy stems from the fact that Troy was in prison for the first 15 years of Lyons life. Troy’s distrust in society creates a barrier between his relationship with Lyons and pushes him away. Troy believes Lyons optimism to be blindness and that difference in beliefs further wedges a gap between the son and father relationship. Lyons is a struggling musician who feels that his music gives him a sense of belonging and purpose. Just as Troy is engulfed with memories from a generation were African Americans were treated poorly, Lyons is growing up in a generation where he views life as more of a place of opportunities for African Americans.

Their relationship is strained due to the difference in outlooks that the two characters have adopted. In regards to Troy and his relationship with Lyons it is shown from their first encounter how strained their relationship is. This is in accordance to Dickerson (2013), which states, “Narrative therapists understand, that problems are produced through clients positioning in wider cultural stories or discourses” (pp. Troy’s conflicts arise because he imposes his views and beliefs onto his family and demands that they view life through his lens. Through his experiences he has formed his beliefs that African Americans will always have to struggle to survive and the only thing that they can do is stay practical and support their families the best they can. Troy is the victim of living in a generation where there were limited opportunities for African Americans. Each conflict that arises in the story lends a hand to the structure of the Maxson family and the inner/external conflicts that each character plays out. Troy’s conflicts arise with his closest friend Bono, his son Lyons (from a previous relationship), his wife Rose and their son Cory. The center of the conflict seems to be the main character and head of household, Troy Maxson. Fences, by August Wilson, is a story enmeshed with conflict surrounding an African American family who lives in Pittsburg Pennsylvania in the year 1957.

The fences book