Hospital Stays: Gabriel Maxson's Story

Gabriel Maxson is a character in August Wilson's play Fences, which was adapted into a film in 2016. Gabriel is the brother of Troy Maxson, and he suffers from a mental impairment due to a serious shrapnel wound to the head that he sustained while serving in World War II. As a result of his injury, Gabriel was institutionalized in a psychiatric hospital and received a $3,000 government payout, which Troy used to purchase a home for his family. Gabriel was later released from the hospital and lived with the Maxsons for many years before moving out to live with Ms. Pearl. In the play, there is discussion among the characters about whether Gabriel should be hospitalized again due to his mental health deterioration and lack of eating.

Gabriel Maxson's mental health

Gabriel Maxson, a character in August Wilson's play Fences, suffers from mental health issues and delusions as a result of a serious shrapnel wound to the head sustained during World War II. He believes himself to be the Archangel Gabriel and has frequent interactions with St. Peter, with whom he claims to have eaten biscuits. Gabriel also believes that he has a role in opening the gates of heaven with his trumpet on Judgment Day.

Gabriel's mental impairment has led to him being institutionalised in a psychiatric hospital, where he received treatment for his condition. He was initially institutionalised after his brother Troy rerouted half of his pension to the hospital, forcing Gabriel to be committed. Troy justifies this decision by arguing that he is taking care of Gabriel and managing his finances, as Gabriel is unable to do so himself due to his disability. However, it is suggested that Troy's motivation may also be financial, as he benefits from half of Gabriel's pension.

Gabriel's mental health is a source of concern for his family, particularly his brother Troy and Troy's wife, Rose. Rose suggests that Gabriel should be in the hospital where he can be looked after, especially since he has not been eating lately. However, Troy disagrees, believing that Gabriel's disability and delusions are punishment enough and that institutionalising him would be cruel.

Gabriel's delusions have a dark side, as he speaks of chasing hellhounds and the devil. He also seems to be aware of Troy's infidelity, which he mentions during an argument between Troy and Rose. Despite his mental health struggles, Gabriel is described as having a level of immediate affection with Troy, and he expresses concern that Troy may be mad at him for moving out.

Overall, Gabriel Maxson's mental health is a significant aspect of his character in the play "Fences," and it adds depth to the exploration of disability and family dynamics within the story.

His institutionalization

Gabriel Maxson, Troy Maxson's brother, suffered a serious head injury during World War II, which left him with a mental impairment. This injury resulted in Gabriel receiving a $3,000 government payout, which Troy used to purchase a home for his family. Gabriel lived with the Maxsons for many years, but his mental health continued to deteriorate. He believed himself to be the angel Gabriel and frequently mentioned preparing for Judgment Day. He also experienced delusions about chasing hellhounds and claimed to have spent time in heaven, eating biscuits with St. Peter.

Due to his erratic behaviour, Gabriel was arrested for disturbing the peace, and Troy bailed him out. Despite his love for his brother, Troy eventually had Gabriel institutionalised, rerouting half of Gabriel's pension to a psychiatric hospital. This decision was partly influenced by Troy's desire to continue receiving Gabriel's disability check, which he relied on to support his family. However, Troy justified his actions by arguing that he was taking care of Gabriel, who was unable to manage his own finances or live independently.

Gabriel's institutionalisation is a significant event in the play "Fences" by August Wilson, as it highlights the complexities of caring for a disabled family member. It also raises questions about the ethics of Troy's actions, as he appears to be motivated by financial gain rather than Gabriel's well-being.

During his institutionalisation, Gabriel was briefly released from the hospital in 1963 to attend his brother Troy's funeral. At the funeral, Gabriel prayed to Saint Peter, whom he believed he had spent time with in heaven, to let his brother into heaven. This scene further emphasises the impact of Gabriel's mental impairment and the complex dynamics within the Maxson family.

Overall, Gabriel's institutionalisation is a pivotal moment in the play, shedding light on the challenges faced by families with disabled members and the ethical dilemmas that arise when financial stability intersects with caregiving responsibilities.

His war injury

Gabriel Maxson, the brother of Troy Maxson, served in the US Army during World War II in the Pacific theater of war. During his service, Gabriel sustained a serious shrapnel wound to the head, which left him with a mental impairment. This injury led to him receiving a $3,000 government payout, which his brother Troy used to purchase a home for his family.

Gabriel's head injury caused him to develop a psychotic belief that he is the Archangel Gabriel and that he is in regular communication with Saint Peter. He also believes that he has already died and been spiritually reborn into sainthood. Gabriel's mental health issues resulted in him being institutionalised in a psychiatric hospital, where he remained until his release in 1963 to attend his brother's funeral.

Gabriel's war injury and subsequent mental health issues had a significant impact on his life and that of his family. He lived with the Maxson family for many years, but his presence was often a source of tension. Troy, as Gabriel's caregiver, had to deal with his brother's delusions and strange behaviour, such as believing he was chasing "hellhounds" and seeing his name in Saint Peter's book of judgment.

Troy also had to manage Gabriel's disability money, which was a source of shame and suspicion. While Troy argued that he needed to take control of the money because Gabriel couldn't look after it himself, others, like Rose, believed that Troy was simply taking advantage of his brother's condition. This dynamic changed when Gabriel moved out to live with a lady named Ms. Pearl, causing tension between the brothers as Troy lost access to Gabriel's disability checks.

Overall, Gabriel's war injury had lasting consequences, not only on his mental health but also on his relationships with his family and his place in society. His injury and institutionalisation highlight the challenges faced by disabled veterans and the complex dynamics that arise within families caring for disabled relatives.

His delusions

Gabriel Maxson, a character in August Wilson's play Fences, suffers from delusions as a result of a serious shrapnel wound to the head sustained during World War II. This injury left him with long-term mental impairment, and he was institutionalized in a psychiatric hospital. Gabriel's delusions revolve around religious themes and a belief that he is the angel Gabriel, sent to deliver warnings about Judgment Day. He claims to have interacted with religious figures such as Saint Peter and to have chased away hellhounds or sinning demons.

Gabriel's delusions are a significant aspect of his character and have a profound impact on his life and those around him. He is described as a "family burden," and his mental health issues create a complex dynamic within the Maxson family. Gabriel's brother, Troy, serves as his caregiver and controls the disability money Gabriel receives for his injury. This creates a sense of dependency and tension between the brothers, with Troy feeling ashamed and burdened by Gabriel's condition.

Gabriel's delusions also lead to his arrest for disturbing the peace, as they cause him to behave in ways that others find disturbing. Troy bails him out, but their relationship becomes strained as Troy worries about Gabriel's well-being and the potential need for further hospitalization. Gabriel's move out of Troy's house and into the care of Miss Pearl adds to the complexity of their relationship, as Troy loses direct control over Gabriel's disability payments.

Despite his delusions, Gabriel finds comfort and purpose in his religious beliefs. He sees himself as a celestial being with a divine mission, which gives him a sense of importance and connection to the spiritual realm. This is evident in his excitement to open heaven's gates with his trumpet for his brother, Troy, even though the trumpet makes no sound. Gabriel's delusions, therefore, provide a lens through which the play explores themes of mortality, disability, and the complexities of familial responsibility and love.

In conclusion, Gabriel Maxson's delusions are a central aspect of his character in Fences. They arise from his wartime injury and shape his relationships, particularly with his brother, Troy. Gabriel's delusions also serve as a vehicle for exploring the play's themes, adding depth and complexity to the story and providing insight into the challenges faced by individuals and families navigating mental illness and disability.

His relationship with Troy Maxson

Gabriel Maxson is the brother of Troy Maxson. Gabriel is seven years younger than Troy. He served in the US Army during World War II and sustained a serious shrapnel wound to the head, which left him mentally impaired. Gabriel received a $3,000 payout from the government, which Troy used to purchase a home for his family. Gabriel lived with the Maxsons for many years.

Gabriel's mental impairment led him to believe that he is the angel Gabriel, tasked with opening the gates of heaven with his trumpet for Saint Peter on Judgment Day. He frequently sings songs about Judgment Day and mentions that he is working to chase away "hellhounds" (sinning demons). Gabriel also claims to have seen his name in St. Peter's book of judgment and to have personally spoken and eaten with St. Peter.

Troy and Gabriel's relationship is complex. On the one hand, Troy cares for his brother and wants to protect him. He disagrees with suggestions that Gabriel should be institutionalised, arguing that Gabriel's war injury and resulting diminished life are punishment enough. Troy also bails Gabriel out of jail when he is arrested for disturbing the peace. However, Troy also uses Gabriel's money for his own benefit, rerouting half of Gabriel's pension to a psychiatric hospital and using his government payout to buy a home for himself and his family. There is also a suggestion that Troy may resent Gabriel's move out of the family home, as it leaves Troy in a worse financial position.

Gabriel, for his part, seems to love and respect his brother. He is excited to open heaven's gates for Troy with his trumpet and is briefly devastated when the trumpet fails to make a sound. However, he quickly overcomes this hurdle, resorting to a song and dance of his own invention, and in his mind, he succeeds in opening the heavenly gates for his brother.

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