Character Analysis of Cory:
All of the characters in the play by August Wilson Fences experience a personal transformation over the course of the play. While the characters of Troy and Rose in "Fences" may seem to be the characters whose experiences of change are most profound, Cory’s changes provide a richer subject for analysis because his personal transformation reflects the transition between generations that is characteristic of many adolescents. The changes Cory experience have universal relevance; whereas, the changes of the other characters are more personal. Cory must negotiate the limitations of his father’s generation and the challenges of forging his own unique identity, and when he does so, he is able to overcome the limitations that have bound him, destroying the metaphorical fences that exist between himself and others.
As “Fences”, the play by August Wilson opens, Cory is optimistic and enthusiastic about his future. He views possibilities for himself that were not available to his father; in a certain sense, he has the opportunity to live the life his father wanted to live but could not because of the racism that waqs going in the society. Cory is a very headstrong character and individual in "Fences" and he desperately wants to be independent, and he makes the decision to quit his job in order to pursue his dream of playing football at the college level.
Throughout the play "Fences", Cory fails to understand how the distance between his father’s generation and his own impact their different views of the world. Whereas, some of the other characters in "Fences", Cory seems oblivious to the struggles and hardships that his father faced as an African American man attempting to find his rightful place in society during a time in American history that was characterized by racism and oppression. If Troy's and Cory's generations were to be compared, then it is visible to the human eye that Cory has so many more opportunities. However, he takes the simple minded view that the changes he wants to experience should automatically be accepted and supported by his family. Cory does not have a full understanding of why changes are taking place in society, this prohibits him from progressing in a better way and it prohibits him from developing postive relationships. Due to his lack of knowledge, every time his father and himself have a conversation it leads to confrontation. This is why they have a lack of communication.
