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In the play Fences, which was written by August Wilson, Bono, Gabe, and
Alberta are all very important people in Troy’s life. Bono is Troy’s best
friend, and through him the reader learns that Troy is a very strong character.
Through Gabe, people can see some of the guilt Troy has inside. Alberta helped
Troy escape from his problems, and have a few laughs every once in awhile. Each
one of these characters tells the reader something different about Troy.
Throughout the years, Bono has always been there for Troy. They have been
friends for about eighteen years. Bono never hesitated to tell Troy anything,
especially his opinion on Alberta. “I know what Rose means to you, Troy I’m just
trying to say I don’t want to see you mess up.” (p.63) Bono’s words show the
reader how much he cares about Troy. Bono was always straightforward with Troy.
He even said, “That’s right. I know you. I know you got some Uncle Ramus in your
blood. You got more stories than the devil got sinners.” (p.13) Much of Troy is
shown in Bono because he has been with him through the good times and the bad.
Another character who has helped reveal complexities about Troy is Gabe, Troy’s
brother. Gabe has a metal plate in his head; caused by his time in War World II.
The government in return gave Gabe monthly checks. The only way Troy was able to
pay for his house was through the governments’ money. “That’s the only way I got
a roof over my head…Cause of that metal plate.” (p.28) When Gabe moved in with
Miss Pearl, Troy started to feel guilty. He was feeling culpability because not
only was Gabe’s money paying for Troy’s house, but now he was paying money to
Miss Pearl that could have been Troy’s. When Gabe said, “Got me two rooms. In
the basement. Got my own door key too.” (p.25) Troy felt very guilty. He could
have used that money for his own family. Also, almost weekly Troy had to pay $50
to get Gabe out of jail. Neighbors complained that he was disturbing the peace.
Gabe added to Troy’s character tremendously. Alberta is another character that
helps reveal some of the complexities of Troy. Alberta is the woman with whom
Troy had an affair. She helped Troy escape from his everyday life problems. When
asked about Alberta, Troy had replied, “She gives me a different understanding
about myself. I can step out of this house and get away from the pressures and
problems…be a different man.” (p.69) When he is with Alberta he feels that he
does not have anything to worry about. This is shown when Troy says, “I ain’t
got to wonder how I’m gonna pay the bills or get the roof fixed. I can just be a
part of myself I ain’t never been.” (p.69) Alberta also helped Troy realize the
value of responsibility. When Alberta passed away, Troy was the only one who
originally had to take care of Raynell, until Rose said she would. Alberta was
very important in this play. Throughout this play, many of Troy’s complexities
are shown through other characters. Through Gabe, Bono, and Alberta, Troy shows
all of his complexities as a man.
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