In Fences, Act 1, Scene 3, how does Troy and Cory's discussion about buying a TV reveal their different philosophies about life?

Answer:

When Cory suggests buying a television so they can watch baseball, Troy talks about responsibility. While Troy enjoys baseball, he is concerned about practical matters like tarring the roof, which he notes would cost as much as a television. After his speech about responsibility and priorities, Troy asks Cory what he would do. Cory's response: buy the television and worry about the roof when something happens. Cory's views are shortsighted—seize the day and don't worry about tomorrow—though typical for a young person. Troy's concerns for his house and his budget show the long-term thinking of a responsible adult. To his son, Troy seems to be all work and no play. Of course that's not really the truth. But when the very real pressures of life weigh on him, he goes outside the home for relief. Instead of slouching in front of the TV with his son, he escapes his pressures by having an affair with Alberta.