Act 1, Scene 3

Troy believes that hard work, duty, and loyalty come before all else, that you don't get things in life because people like you..... you get what you earn through hard work.

You live in my house...sleep you behind on my bedclothes...fill you belly up with my food...cause you my son. You my flesh and blood. Not ’cause I like you! Cause it’s my duty to take care of you. I owe a responsibility to you! Let’s get this straight right here...before it go along any further...I ain’t got to like you. Mr. Rand don’t give me my money come payday cause he likes me. He gives me cause he owe me. I done give you everything I had to give you. I gave you your life! Me and your mama worked that out between us. And liking your black ass wasn’t part of the bargain. Don’t you try and go through life worrying about if somebody like you or not. You best be making sure they doing right by you.

In my opinion, working to the best of you ability and takng care of responsibilities is one of our most important tasks in life. I do, however, believe that it's also important to be congenial, helpful, and respectful of others in the process. Friendship and mutual respect often opens doors..... and generally someone who genuinely dislikes a person isn't going to make sure those doors are open for the person they don't like. Troy speaks from his own experience, thus, we cannot say he is wrong. Unfortunately, he shouldn't push his own negative experiences onto his son.