Troy and Bono's relationship differs. Bono began the play with Troy during their Friday night ritual of drink and talk. However, in Act 2 scene 4, Bono passes on the opportunity to sit and talk with Troy.
Cite Act 2 scene 4: Bono: "I just thought I'd stop and by and see you." Troy: "What you stop by and see me for? Hell, I must owe you money or something."
Cite Act 1 scene 1: Troy: "Look here, as long as you known me...you ever known me to chase after women?" Bono: "Hell yeah! Long as I done known you. You forgetting I knew you when."
In the beginning, Troy displays love for Rose. He talks about how she's so important to him and how he's ran out of ways to love her. But in Act 2 scene 4, Troy and Rose's relationship isn't what it used to be at all since the announcement of Troy getting Alberta pregnant.
Cite: Act 1 scene 1: Troy: "See this woman, Bono? I love this woman. I love this woman so much it hurts. I love her so much ... I done run out of ways of loving her." (pg. 20)
Cite: Act 2 scene 4: Cory: "And Mama, too...she tries...but she's scared of you."
The irony of this relationship is that Troy accuses Lyons of only coming around when he needs money, however in Act 2 scene 4, Lyons comes around to pay Troy back.
Act 1 scene 1: Lyons: "Well hell, since you mentioned it...let me have ten dollars."
Act 2 scene 4: Lyons: "I just stopped by to pay Papa this twenty dollars I owe him. Where's Papa at?"
The conflict between Troy and Cory remain the same in both acts. Troy doesn't want Cory playing football and wants him to find a job while Cory wants to play football. This relationship gets progressively worse as seen in Act 2 scene 4.
Act 1 scene 1: Troy: "I told that boy about that football stuff. The white man ain't gonna let him go nowhere with that football stuff."
Act 2 scene 4: Cory: "You ain't never gave me nothing! You ain't never done nothing but hold me back."
In act 1 scene 1 when the fence is not up, Troy is connected to the outside world. When the fence is up in act 2 scene 4, Troy is trapped in with no contact with anyone else.
Cite: Act 2 scene 4: Bono: "Yeah, Rose told Lucille you had finally built your fence...so I figured we'd call it even."