His father cannot see him as a new hope; because he is too busy trying to protect him from the past. However, he cannot protect him, and in fact, he lets the past influence his own decisions. Wilson seems to be saying that many black men cannot learn from their past, instead they keep perpetuating the same mistakes generation to generation.

Troy is a liar, which also gives a clue to Wilson's ideas on fatherhood. Throughout the play he says he loves Rose and does not run around on her, yet he has an affair with Alberta, sires a daughter with her, and Rose has to raise the daughter when Alberta dies. Thus, he shows that he is not trustworthy - instead, he is cunning and sly. His life is about self-gratification at any cost, and he does not consider the feelings of others in his decisions. Wilson's cynical view...
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