Fences Lesson Plan

What does Troy's conflict with the managers of the sanitation department tell us about his character?

Troy's frustration with the sanitation department stems from his frustration with the racial discrimination he faces. He says that the higher-ups only let white men drive the trucks and make the Black men pick up the garbage. It becomes clear through his discussion that he was short-tempered in addressing this problem; it also suggests that he has a strong sense for injustice, and sometimes speaks out against that injustice without thinking about the possible consequences. This likely makes him quite a sympathetic character to the contemporary reader.

What does...