Metaphors in "Master Harold"... and the Boys

1121 words 5 pages
18 January 2012
Metaphors in “Master Harold”... and the boys “Master Harold”... and the boys, is a powerful play written by Athol Fugard that allows us to analyze the complex relationship between a black man and a young white boy within the context of racism in South Africa in the 1950’s. This play is characterized by metaphors used by the author to illustrate the struggle of people dealing with racism. One of the most important themes of this play is racism, focusing on the injustice in South Africa when the apartheid system was in place. Racial segregation and separation in this time in history demonstrates to us how this system allowed unequal rights for whites and blacks. There is evidence that the relationship between Hally,
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Sam left Hally up on the hill, with the a sense of pride. Hally wondered why Sam had left him alone that day. The two of them were up there for a long time. Hally sat on the one bench up on the hill that had a sign that said “Whites Only” on it. When Hally recounts about their time together with the kite in the park and then Sam had to leave him, Sam is the one who informs him of the real reason why he couldn't stay. Hally's childhood memory is that Sam had to go to work. Hally was sitting on a “Whites Only” bench, so Sam would not have been permitted to sit there with him. “‘You left me after that, didn’t you?... I wanted you to stay, you know.’‘I had work to do, Hally’”(Fugard 30). Hally is filled with so much rage over his coarse, alcoholic father. When conflict appears, Hally lashes out on his two black friends, especially Sam. He tries to pretend they are not friends by acting strictly like a boss. Because of Hally’s status as a white person in a racially divided community, he is given the title of “Master” towards the black men. Hally asks Sam to call him “Master Harold” from now on, and Sam would only do this if they were no longer friends. This is the case for, when he spits in Sam's face, Hally becomes Master Harold to Sam. It is conquering in the corruption of another white male as Hally takes his place on the bench of segregation. “If you're not careful... Master Harold... you're going to be sitting


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