Plot Summary of "Master Harold" ... and the Boys
Setting the Scene
"Master Harold" ... and the Boys, written by Athol Fugard, takes place in a small tea room in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, during the apartheid era. The play unfolds on a rainy afternoon in 1950, with the entire action confined to this single location.
NoteThe confined setting of the tea room serves as a microcosm of South African society, highlighting the racial tensions and power dynamics of the time.
Main Characters
- Hally (Harold): A 17-year-old white boy, son of the tea room owners
- Sam: A middle-aged Black man who works as a waiter in the tea room
- Willie: Another Black waiter, younger than Sam
Act One: A Seemingly Ordinary Day
The play opens with Sam and Willie practicing ballroom dance steps for an upcoming competition. Their lighthearted banter is interrupted by the arrival of Hally, who returns from school.
SAM: (Demonstrating) "Quick, quick, slow... quick, quick, slow..."
Initially, the atmosphere is friendly and familiar. Hally engages in playful conversation with Sam and Willie, reminiscing about their shared past experiences.
TipPay attention to the early interactions between Hally and the two men. These moments of camaraderie contrast sharply with later events, emphasizing the play's themes of racial inequality and the corruption of innocence.
The Phone Calls: A Turning Point
The plot takes a significant turn when Hally receives two phone calls from his mother. The first informs him that his alcoholic father might be coming home from the hospital. The second confirms this news, much to Hally's dismay.
HALLY: "Why's he coming home? He's not well yet."
These calls serve as a catalyst, shifting Hally's mood and setting the stage for the conflict to come.
Memories and Metaphors
As Hally grapples with his emotions about his father's return, he and Sam engage in a series of conversations that reveal their complex relationship:
- They reminisce about building and flying a kite together
