Historical Context of "Master Harold"... and the Boys
Apartheid South Africa
"Master Harold"... and the Boys is set in 1950s Port Elizabeth, South Africa, during the height of the apartheid regime. This historical setting is crucial to understanding the play's themes and character dynamics.
NoteThe term "apartheid" literally means "separateness" in Afrikaans, and it was officially implemented as state policy in 1948.
Key aspects of apartheid that directly influence the play:
- Racial Classification
- People were legally classified into racial groups
- This determined every aspect of their lives, from education to where they could live
- The relationship between Hally and Sam/Willie reflects these strict racial boundaries
- Social Segregation
- Public spaces were strictly segregated
- The tea room where the play is set was likely a "whites-only" establishment
- Black people could work in these spaces but couldn't be customers
Personal Context of Athol Fugard
The play draws heavily from Fugard's own experiences growing up in Port Elizabeth:
ExampleLike Hally, Fugard:
- Had a complex relationship with his disabled father
- Formed close bonds with Black workers in his mother's tea room
- Struggled with the moral implications of growing up in apartheid South Africa
Cultural Elements
The play incorporates several cultural elements specific to 1950s South Africa:
