master harold essay topics

Master Harold... And the Boys

By athol fugard, master harold... and the boys study guide.

“Master Harold”…and the boys is a multifaceted, stirring testament to the cruelty of apartheid in South Africa. It is Athol Fugard ’s most frequently performed and most popular play. Based on events from Fugard’s life, Master Harold is renowned for its evocation of painful memories from South Africa's troubled history. He strikingly portrays the pervasive racism and patriarchy of the time while working to exorcise his own personal demons.

When Athol Fugard was a child, his mother managed the Jubilee Residential House and the St. George Tea Room in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Meanwhile, Fugard's father was disabled, which kept him from working. He was also an alcoholic, going in and out of hospitals, and he held extremely racist opinions. The younger Fugard went by “ Hally ” as a young man and was very close to two of his family's older black servants, Sam and Willie . When he was ten, Fugard had an argument with Sam and spat on him. He wrote in his journal that he immediately felt regret and shame. This journal entry served as the inspiration for “Master Harold” .

In a 1982 interview, Athol Fugard explained that he wrote the play “at one level, in an attempt to understand how and why I am the man that I am.” In the same interview, Fugard accused his father of being “full of pointless, unthoughtout prejudices,” but that his mother’s “outrage over the injustice of [South African] society” helped him to develop his progressive moral perspective.

Fugard was forbidden from staging his plays in South Africa because white and black actors could not be onstage together. As a result, Fugard directed the world premiere of "Master Harold"... and the boys at the Yale Repertory Theater in March 1982. Zakes Mokae played Sam, Danny Glover played Willie, and Zeljko Ivanek was Hally. A few months later, the play moved to the Lyceum Theater on Broadway. It received excellent reviews. The New York Times critic wrote that the play “forced [the audience] to confront our own capacity for cruelty – and to see all too clearly just who it is we really hurt when we give in to it.”

By March of 1983, the South African ban on the play was lifted, and "Master Harold"... and the boys premiered at a theater in Johannesburg. The Times reviewer for the South African show observed that audience members were “visibly stunned… many, blacks and whites, were crying.”

The New Yorker proclaimed that the play works on two levels: “as the story of a loving but lacerating relationship between a black man and a white boy; and…as a powerful political statement about apartheid.” In 1989, Time Magazine called Fugard “the greatest active playwright in the English-speaking world.”

In 1985, "Master Harold"...and the boys was adapted into a television movie starring Matthew Broderick and Mokae. A film version starring Freddy Highmore and Ving Rhames was released in 2010. The play has gone through numerous revivals at playhouses, theaters, and colleges throughout the world.

Master Harold… And the Boys Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Master Harold… And the Boys is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

35. Refer to the homework scene, and discuss what is/are the lesson(s) that one could take it from it.

What pages are you referring to?

Which famous figure does Hally use to justify his laziness?

Hally uses the figure of the famous artist, Winston Churchill, to justify his laziness.

Hally: Just remember Winston Churchill didn’t do particularly well at school.

Why doesn't Sam beat Hally after spitting at his face?

Sam doesn't want to give Hally the satisfaction.... to lower himself to Hally's level. Hally, who has known Sam since he was a mere boy... and Sam, has always looked out for him. Sam isn't surprised by Hally's actions, but his actions change the...

Study Guide for Master Harold… And the Boys

Master Harold... And the Boys study guide contains a biography of Athol Fugard, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Master Harold... And the Boys
• Master Harold... And the Boys Summary
• Character List

Essays for Master Harold… And the Boys

Master Harold... And the Boys essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Master Harold... And the Boys by Athol Fugard.

• The Symbolism of Ballroom Dancing
• Power and Privilege in Master Harold and the Boys
• Idealism and Constraint in Hedda Gabler and Master Harold...And the Boys
• Master Harold and South African Apartheid
• The Use of Props in Master Harold... And the Boys and Death of a Salesman

Lesson Plan for Master Harold… And the Boys

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Master Harold... And the Boys
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Master Harold... And the Boys Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Master Harold… And the Boys

• Introduction
• Critical reception
• Casting history
• Adaptations

"Master Harold" … and the Boys

Athol fugard, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Master Harold... and the boys Introduction

Everybody knows that getting older isn't easy. You've got to figure out your place in the world, get along with people you would never have chosen to cross paths with if it were up to you, and even, ugh, be fair, responsible, and reasonable.

And if you think that's hard for human beings, just imagine how hard it is for whole countries to come of age. After Europe's colonization spree of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, lots of nations decided to rebel against their imperial invaders and emancipate themselves.

Much like moving out of the nest, not having a curfew, and discovering that the dishes don't clean themselves everyday, gaining independence has its pros and cons. South Africa is one nation that went through huge growing pains as it tried to work outs its post-colonial identity. Throughout the second half of the 20th century black and white South Africans were legally kept separate (and definitely not equal) by a system called apartheid (read up here ) that allowed the white minority a monopoly on leadership, education, and wealth. Blacks and "coloreds" (mixed race) were told where to live, what jobs they could do, and what they could own.

Athol Fugard's 1982 play "Master Harold" …and the Boys uses the relationship between a teenage white boy and his mother's two black employees to point out the conflicts, class and race divisions, and injustice that plagued the young nation under apartheid. Hally, the boy, takes out his frustrations with his parents on his friends Sam and Willie, two adult black men that work in his mother's café and whom he's known and loved all his life.

The play is among Fugard's most famous works, and it's intensely autobiographical, based on an incident between Fugard and an older black friend that made Fugard deeply ashamed and disgusted with himself. He wrote the play after years and years of guilt and regret as a way of confronting this terrible thing he did to his trusted friend and mentor.

No surprise, the anti-apartheid play was banned in South Africa. It premiered in March of 1982 at the Yale Repertory Theatre with Danny Glover playing Willie, and opened on Broadway in November, 1982. When it finally was performed in South Africa in 1983, it left much of the audience in tears.

The 1980s were an important moment in the history of apartheid, when the rest of the world started to take notice and isolated South Africa in an effort to put pressure on the government to change its racial policies. ( Source )

This play was a really important part of the consciousness-raising efforts that made outsiders aware of the situation in South Africa. Fugard was a tireless advocate for the end of apartheid in his homeland. But rather than hitting us over the head with his political viewpoint, he tells a small and personal story of a relationship between a white kid and his two black best friends.

"Master Harold" …and the boys won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play in 1982, as well as the London Critics' Circle Theatre Award and London Evening Standard Award, both for best play in 1983. It was nominated in 1982 for a Tony Award for Best Play, too. Not too bad, right?. It hit the small screen in 1985 when Fugard himself adapted it for a TV movie (with an awesome young Matthew Broderick as Hally), and in 2010 a South African version finally made it to the big screen. If you have a beating heart, it's not an easy play to read or watch.

What is Master Harold... and the boys About and Why Should I Care?

Have you ever done something you're ashamed of? We mean really, really ashamed of? Something that broke every rule you ever set for yourself, that went against all your values, that made you hate yourself for a while? We'll give you a minute to think about it.

Time's up. If Shmoop were to try and read your mind, we'd guess the shameful thing involved doing something terrible to someone you loved, maybe a best friend, maybe someone in your family, someone who trusted you. Shmoop, as always, can relate. These things have a way of torturing you.

In "Master Harold"… and the boys , Hally, aka Master Harold, turns on the person he's always felt closest to, the older man who always protected him and tried to help him grow up into a man who could hold his head up. In the totally heartbreaking and shocking climax of the play, Hally decides to try to destroy his best friend Sam; instead, he destroys his own self-respect. After his outburst, he's speechless with shame; you can tell he hates himself for it. He doesn't apologize, though. He's paralyzed by what it would mean for a white boy to humble himself in front of a black man. He turned on Sam because he could, because he knew that because of his race (and his basic decency), Sam wouldn't fight back.

Sam understood, and Shmoop understands, that we all have experiences like this, moments we wish we could just erase from our life and beg for a do-over. So what really matters is what we do next. At the end of Master Harold, Fugard doesn't let us know what Hally does, if he tries to repair the relationship with Sam or refuses to take responsibility. Is his shame too much to handle or does he learn from it? As one reviewer wisely said, the ending is ours to write. And we don't think he just meant the ending of this particular story.

Being grown-up is just so hard sometimes.

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Master Harold and the Boys

40 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Pages 16-31

Pages 31-47

Pages 47-61

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Summary and Study Guide

“Master Harold”…and the boys , a one-act play by South African playwright Athol Fugard, premiered on Broadway at the Lyceum Theater in 1982. The play, which is set in 1950, draws on Fugard’s own experience growing up during South Africa’s apartheid era. It explores a complex relationship between 17-year-old Hally , a white boy, and Sam and Willie , two Black men who are servants in Hally’s family’s tea room. The play was initially banned in South Africa because it was considered too critical of apartheid, so it premiered in the United States. “Master Harold”…and the boys won several awards the year it premiered, including a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play; London Critics’ Circle Theatre Award, Best Play (1983); and Tony Award for Featured Actor in a Play, which went to Zakes Mokae (Sam), a South African actor. The play explores the racial dynamics in apartheid South Africa and the ways that systems of power can engender shame and alienation.

This guide is based on the 1982 Borzoi Book edition of the text.

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Content Warning: This guide discusses anti-Black racism, ableism, alcohol addiction, and domestic violence. The play includes ableist language, which is included in this guide only in direct quotes, and racial slurs, which are obscured.

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The play opens in a tea room in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on a rainy day. Two Black employees, Sam and Willie, are reading comic books and practicing ballroom dancing , respectively. Willie is hoping to win a dance competition in two weeks, but he is unsure of his skills. Sam tries to encourage him, but Willie admits that his girlfriend, Hilda, is refusing to practice with him. Sam suggests that Willie stop beating her whenever she messes up the dance steps. The two argue briefly but reconcile. Sam demonstrates the dance steps for Willie; Sam is a better dancer.

Hally, the 17-year-old white son of the tea room’s owner, enters on his way home from school. Sam calls him “Hally” while Willie calls him “Master Harold.” Hally is friendly with both, and Sam informs him that his mother has gone to the hospital, most likely to bring his father home. Hally is distressed by this news, though he tries to hide his feelings. He talks with Willie about the dance competition, but abruptly scolds him when he feels that Willie’s behavior is even slightly out of line. Hally calls his house and is relieved when his mother does not answer, thinking that perhaps she is not bringing his father home after all.

The conversation shifts to social reform. Hally suggests that each age has a social reformer who changes things for the better, but if that person has yet to be found, there is nothing to do but wait for things to improve. Hally and Sam name people they consider to be great: Sam names Abraham Lincoln, William Shakespeare, Jesus Christ, and Alexander Fleming, while Hally names Charles Darwin and Leo Tolstoy. Sam enjoys the game; Hally has been teaching him about history, geography, and other subjects for several years now. The three of them reminisce about Hally’s childhood, when he would often visit Sam and Willie’s room and insist on playing checkers. One day, Sam made a kite and flew it in the park with Hally. Hally remembers that day as a moment of great freedom, though he wonders why Sam tied the kite to the bench where Hally sat and then left. Sam says that he left because he had to return to work.

Hally’s mother calls, informing him that she is indeed bringing his father home. Hally’s father has had his leg amputated and has an alcohol addiction along with various health problems, and Hally begs his mother to insist that he stay in the hospital. He is a cruel man who steals his family’s money to pay for alcohol. Hally hangs up and takes out his homework. He must write a short essay on a culturally significant annual event. Willie practices his dancing again, but he is still unsure what to do about Hilda. Sam starts teasing Willie again, and Willie gets increasingly worked up until Hally suddenly loses his temper. He hits Willie with a ruler and forbids Sam and Willie from dancing in the shop. He orders them to go back to work.

Sam tries to gently persuade Hally that ballroom dancing is its own art form and that it has value, and Hally initially refuses to see his point. When Hally realizes that the ballroom dancing competition happens each year, he decides to write about it for his essay even though he knows his teacher will disapprove of him writing about a Black cultural event. He asks about the points system, wondering if points are deducted when people collide with one another. Sam says that people never collide while dancing. The characters extrapolate that concept to describe “a world without collisions” (47), which is a political ideal of global and, more specifically, racial harmony. Hally’s mother calls again, and Hally has a brief but angry conversation with her. He then speaks to his father, forcing himself to sound happy that he is coming home.

The conversation shatters Hally’s idealism, and he decides that there will never be a world without collisions because people like his father will always get in the way. He goes on an angry rant about his father’s cruelty and how much Hally hates caring for him when he is at home. Sam urges him to stop speaking ill of his father. Hally turns his anger on Sam. He tells Sam to call him “Master Harold,” and Sam tells him to be very careful. If Hally insists on being called “Master Harold,” Sam will never call him anything else, and the friendship between them will be broken. Hally doubles down, telling a racist joke and then spitting in Sam’s face. Sam coldly calls him “Master Harold” just as Hally starts to regret what he has said. Sam and Willie both contemplate hitting Hally but decide against it.

Sam reminds Hally of how he has helped him over the years, including helping him bring his father home from a bar when he was too drunk to stand. He tells Hally that the day they flew the kite, he left Hally alone because he was sitting on a “Whites Only” bench. Just as Hally is about to leave the tea room, Sam stops him, calls him “Hally” again, and suggests that the two of them try flying another kite. Hally points out that they cannot fly a kite in the rain; they will have to wait for better weather. Sam tells Hally that if he chooses to, he can get up from that bench any time. Hally leaves, and Willie tries to cheer Sam up by agreeing to apologize to Hilda and to stop beating her. Willie and Sam dance together in the tea house.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Novel — Master Harold and the Boys

Master Harold and The Boys

• Categories: Novel

About this sample

Words: 560 |

Published: Feb 12, 2019

Words: 560 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Works Cited

• Fugard, A. (1982). "Master Harold". . . and the Boys. Alfred A. Knopf.
• Fugard, A. (2011). Notebooks: 1960-1977. Theatre Communications Group.
• Fugard, A. (2012). Cousins: A Memoir. Theatre Communications Group.
• Fugard, A. (2014). The Captain's Tiger: A Memoir for the Stage. Theatre Communications Group.
• Fugard, A., Kani, J., & Ntshona, W. (2017). Statements: Two Plays. Theatre Communications Group.
• Fugard, L. (2012). Athol Fugard: His Plays, People, and Politics. Ohio University Press.
• Gibson, C. (1994). Athol Fugard: The Politics of the South African Stage. Cambridge University Press.
• Magaziner, D. R. (1993). Athol Fugard. Twayne Publishers.
• Smith, M. (2015). Athol Fugard: His Plays, His Politics. University of California Press.
• Törnqvist, E. (1995). A Dream Deferred: The Theatre of Athol Fugard. Rodopi.

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Topics On Master Harold and The Boys Essay

Table of Contents

Introduction On Master Harold and The Boys Essay

“Master Harold” … and the Boys is a play written by Athol Fugard that portrays the realities of apartheid-era South Africa. The play was first performed in 1982 and was a critical success, winning several awards. The play centers on the relationship between Hally, a white teenage boy, and two black waiters, Sam and Willie. Throughout the play, the characters grapple with issues of race, power, and friendship. This essay writing help will explore the central themes of “Master Harold” … and the Boys, and how they are represented in the play.

Theme 1: Racism And Apartheid

The most prominent theme in “Master Harold” … and the Boys is racism and apartheid. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation and discrimination that existed in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. The play takes place in 1950, during the early years of apartheid, and the effects of the system are evident throughout the play.

One example of racism in the play is when Hally uses the racial slur “kaffir” to refer to Sam. This word was commonly used by white South Africans to refer to black people and is considered extremely offensive. Hally uses the word in a moment of anger, demonstrating how deeply ingrained racist attitudes were in South African society at the time.

Another example of racism in the play is the scene where Hally tells Sam and Willie a story about a dance contest he saw on the beach. In the story, a white man is beaten by a black man in the dance contest, and Hally expresses his disgust at the idea of a black man beating a white man. This scene highlights the racial hierarchies that existed in South Africa at the time and demonstrates how even seemingly innocuous interactions could be tainted by racism.

Theme 2: Power Dynamics

Another central theme of “Master Harold” … and the Boys is power dynamics. Throughout the play, the characters grapple with issues of power and control, and their relationships are shaped by these dynamics.

One example of power dynamics in the play is the relationship between Hally and Sam. Hally holds a position of power over Sam because of his race and social status, but Sam also holds power over Hally because of his knowledge and experience. Sam has been a mentor to Hally, and Hally looks up to him for guidance and support. However, when Hally feels threatened, he lashes out at Sam and tries to assert his power over him.

Another example of power dynamics in the play is the relationship between Hally and his father. Hally’s father is a disabled alcoholic who is physically and emotionally abusive towards Hally. Hally feels powerless in his relationship with his father and seeks to assert his power over Sam and Willie as a way of compensating for this.

Theme 3: Friendship And Betrayal

Despite the pervasive racism and power dynamics in the play, “Master Harold” … and the Boys also explores the theme of friendship. The relationship between Hally, Sam, and Willie is complicated, and the characters navigate a range of emotions and experiences throughout the play.

One example of friendship in the play is the scene where Hally and Sam dance together. The dance is a moment of connection and joy between the two characters, and it highlights the possibility of cross-racial friendship in the midst of apartheid-era South Africa.

However, the theme of friendship is also complicated by the theme of betrayal. Hally ultimately betrays Sam and Willie by lashing out at them and using his power to hurt them. The betrayal is a devastating moment in the play, and it highlights the fragility of cross-racial friendships in a society defined by racism and power imbalances.

“Master Harold” … and the Boys is a powerfulplay that explores the complex themes of racism, power dynamics, and friendship. The play offers a nuanced portrayal of life under apartheid-era South Africa and highlights the devastating impact of racism and power imbalances on human relationships.

The themes of racism and apartheid are central to the play, and the characters grapple with the effects of these systems on their lives. The use of racial slurs, the expression of racist attitudes, and the perpetuation of racial hierarchies are all portrayed in the play, demonstrating the pervasive nature of racism in South African society at the time.

The theme of power dynamics is also central to the play, and the characters navigate a range of power imbalances in their relationships with each other. The complex relationship between Hally and Sam, in particular, highlights the ways in which power can be both asserted and resisted in human relationships.

Despite the pervasive racism and power dynamics in the play, the theme of friendship is also explored. The relationship between Hally, Sam, and Willie is complicated, and the characters navigate a range of emotions and experiences throughout the play. The theme of betrayal, however, highlights the fragility of cross-racial friendships in a society defined by racism and power imbalances.

What Is The Main Idea Of Master Harold?

The main idea of “Master Harold” … and the Boys is to explore the complex themes of racism, power dynamics, and friendship in apartheid-era South Africa. The play portrays the devastating impact of racism and power imbalances on human relationships and highlights the fragility of cross-racial friendships in a society defined by these issues. The play is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality and a testament to the power of theater to shed light on complex social issues.

What Does The Kite Symbolize In Master Harold?

In “Master Harold” … and the Boys, the kite is a powerful symbol that represents hope, freedom, and escape from the constraints of apartheid-era South Africa. Throughout the play, the characters work on building and flying a kite, which serves as a physical representation of their aspirations and dreams.

For Hally, the kite symbolizes his desire to transcend the limitations of his life and escape the pain and frustration he feels. As a white teenager living in apartheid-era South Africa, Hally is acutely aware of the power dynamics and racism that shape his world. The kite represents his hope for a better future, where he can break free from these constraints and live a life of freedom and equality.

For Sam, the kite represents a different kind of hope. As a black man living in a society defined by racism and oppression, Sam is deeply aware of the limitations on his life. The kite represents his hope for a future where he and his people can experience true freedom and equality. In building and flying the kite with Hally and Willie, Sam is able to find a moment of joy and escape from the constraints of his life.

Ultimately, the kite serves as a powerful symbol of the characters’ shared aspirations and dreams. It represents the possibility of a better future, where the constraints of race and power are overcome and true freedom and equality can be achieved.

In conclusion, “Master Harold” … and the Boys is a powerful play that explores the complex themes of racism, power dynamics, and friendship in apartheid-era South Africa. The play offers a nuanced portrayal of life under apartheid and highlights the devastating impact of racism and power imbalances on human relationships. The play is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality and a testament to the power of theater to shed light on complex social issues.

List Of Few Topics On Master Harold And The Boys Essay

• How does the play “Master Harold” … and the Boys explore themes of race and segregation in South Africa?
• How does the character of Hally, also known as “Master Harold,” grapple with his identity as a white South African in a racially divided society?
• How does the relationship between Hally and the two black characters, Sam and Willie, change over the course of the play?
• How does the play portray the effects of apartheid on South African society?
• How do the characters in “Master Harold” … and the Boys cope with the challenges and inequalities they face under the apartheid system?
• How does the play address the theme of love and friendship in the context of a racially divided society?
• What role do the characters’ personal histories and experiences play in shaping their views and actions in the play?
• How does the play use symbolism to explore themes of race, segregation, and identity?
• How does the setting of the play, a tea room in South Africa, contribute to the themes and conflicts explored in the play?
• How does the play address the theme of forgiveness and redemption in the context of racial conflict and inequality?
• How does the play explore the theme of coming of age in a society marked by racial tension and segregation?
• What role do the characters’ cultural and societal expectations play in shaping their relationships and actions in the play?
• How does the play use dialogue and language to explore themes of race, identity, and societal expectations?
• What message do you think the play is trying to convey about race relations and social justice?
• How do the characters’ choices and actions reflect their values and beliefs about race and segregation?
• How does the play use humor to address serious themes of race and segregation?
• How does the play explore the theme of identity and self-discovery in the context of a racially divided society?
• How does the play use the character of Hally to examine the complexities of racial identity and privilege?
• What role do the characters’ individual experiences and backgrounds play in shaping their views and actions in the play?
• How does the play address the theme of belonging and acceptance in the context of racial tension and segregation?
• How does the play explore the theme of power dynamics in relationships

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