Cory Maxson chooses not to attend his father Troy's funeral primarily as an act of rebellion and a deliberate assertion of his own independence from the man who often stifled his dreams and controlled his life. His refusal marks a significant moment of breaking free from Troy's overbearing influence.
Throughout his life, Cory experienced a tumultuous and often painful relationship with his father. Troy's rigid views and attempts to dictate Cory's future led to deep-seated resentment. By refusing to attend the funeral, Cory aims to distance himself from the past grievances and the legacy of his father's often contradictory philosophy.
Key reasons contributing to Cory's decision include:
- A Need for Rebellion: Cory's refusal is a powerful symbolic act. It represents his desire to finally liberate himself from the emotional and psychological control Troy exerted over him. This is a definitive statement that he will no longer conform to his father's expectations or remain bound by their contentious history.
- Assertion of Independence: Having moved on to build his own life, including an engagement to a woman he deeply cares for, Cory is establishing his own identity. Attending the funeral would, for him, signify a return to the past and an acknowledgment that he is still defined by his relationship with Troy, rather than his own path forward.
- Rejection of Troy's Ideology: Even in reminiscing with Lyons, Cory recalls Troy's saying, "You gotta take the crookeds with the straights." While this proverb suggests acceptance of life's hardships, Cory's refusal to attend the funeral implies a rejection of the specific "crookeds" that Troy inflicted upon him, and a refusal to reconcile or acknowledge Troy on his terms, even in death.
Ultimately, Cory's absence from the funeral is a pivotal moment in his character arc, signifying his definitive step into adulthood and self-determination, free from the shadow of his complicated relationship with his father.
