[CP] Quickwrite - Cycles of Abuse

Prompt -  Troy turns out to be a reflection of his own father in terms of the harsh treatment he gives his own son, Cory. Are Troy and Cory locked into a cycle of abuse? Why or why not? If so, then do you think Cory will be able to break this cycle in his own future?

       According the Wikipedia, the cycle does match with the relationship between Troy and Cory; therefore my answer will be yes, Troy and Cory are locked into the cycle. The tensions between Troy and Cory were the beginning of the cycle and Troy’s death was the end of that cycle. Personallym I think Cory will be able to break this cycle in his own future.

        In Act II, Scene 4, when Cory and Troy were having an argument, Cory expressed both his and Rose’s fear towards Troy. He also claims that Troy would abuse him and was terrified as a child, but decided to confront his fear; now he’s older, he knows he can overpower Troy. Both Troy and Cory had most likely entered in the second stage at the confrontment during that scene. Cory would usually wouldn’t go against Troy verbally, but in the end he did after Troy couldn’t handle Cory’s absence for baseball. In the third stage of abuse, the Reconcilation, was determined through Troy’s death. His death represents the end of the conflict between them, but doesn’t seem as a sold “reconcilation”. The last stage was in the last scene, Rose suggested to Cory to forget all the past events and conflicts that caused such tension between him and Troy. Letting it go willingly, the “honeymoon” phase was idicated through one of Troy’s songs as Cory sang with  Rayndell.

         Personally, I think Cory will be able to break this cycle in his own future because Cory represents the new generation. Unlike Troy, he was offered a better future at a young age and can go to college with no concern for discrimination. Troy, representing the older generation, faced the hatred by the “Devil” or in this time period, I pressume mainly the KKK. Facing both abuse from his father and the discrimination, Troy has viewed the world as “against the colored”. However, in Cory’s future, segregation was outlawed and his sports opportunity was offered at a young age compared to Troy’s, who began his career around his 40’s. With his strong desire to be different from Troy, Cory would most likely ensure himself to stay away from the cycles of abuse.

Quickwrite: The Rules of Love...?

    To guys, they would define "nice girls" as girls who gives them personal space and constantly contact them even in the middle of the night. Most guys aren't into relationships, and those who are in are usually in casual ones. They like to balance their free time with their girlfriends and for themselves. Same to girls, however, they define "nice guys" as a guys who have a gentlemen-manner. They would most likely say "I want a boyfriend who would comfort me and would always be there for me" and loves the attention to given to them by their boyfriends. What both guys and girls want are good behavior (nice personality), and trust. What "nice girls" and "nice boys" just don't do is something that can end the relationships like cheating with some other guy/girl or talk rudely about them behind their back.

    I would say the consequences for breaking their "rules" that they agreed upon, are either a break up or simply mistrust with each other. For break ups, it could be harder for girls than guys because most take relationships seriously (not all) while for few guys can take break ups hard if they were actually serious and was very committed to the relationship. As for mistrust, I think can easily switched to a break up, but I don't think relationships last long if the both the girl and guy doesn't trust with one another. To constantly worry about each other's actions behind their back and misunderstand them just because they are near the opposite gender is something no one wants to be in.

    Where do the rules come from? It's usually what the couple decide. Their rules are what sets them together, and any broken sets them apart. I would say among them are what I mainly pointed out: trust with one another. No trust, no (long lasting) relationship. All these things I been talking about are pretty much common knowledge.