Symbols in "Master Harold and the Boys"
Athol Fugard's play "Master Harold and the Boys" is rich with symbolism, each element carefully chosen to deepen the themes of racial inequality, coming of age, and the complexities of human relationships. Let's dive into some of the most significant symbols in the play.
The Ballroom Dancing
Perhaps the most prominent symbol in the play is ballroom dancing. It serves multiple purposes:
NoteBallroom dancing represents the ideal of a harmonious society, where people move together in perfect synchronization, regardless of race or background.
SAM: There's no collisions out there, Hally. Nobody trips or stumbles or bumps into anybody else. That's what that moment is all about. To be one of those finalists on that dance floor is like... like being in a dream about a world in which accidents don't happen.
This quote illustrates how Sam views ballroom dancing as a metaphor for a perfect world, free from the racial tensions and conflicts that plague their reality in apartheid South Africa.
The Dance Competition
The upcoming dance competition that Sam and Willie are preparing for symbolizes:
- Hope for a better future
- The possibility of achievement despite societal barriers
- The beauty that can emerge from discipline and practice
Consider how the dance competition contrasts with the harsh realities of apartheid South Africa. It offers a glimpse of what could be in a more equitable world.
The Kite
The kite that Hally and Sam flew together years ago is a powerful symbol with multiple layers of meaning:
- Childhood innocence: It represents a time when racial differences didn't matter to Hally.
- Freedom and aspiration: The kite soaring in the sky symbolizes the potential to rise above societal constraints.
- Fragile relationships: Just as a kite can easily come crashing down, so too can the relationships between people of different races in apartheid South Africa.
HALLY: I remember... I was so proud of us! It was the first time in my life that I ever flew a kite.
This memory highlights the bond between Hally and Sam, transcending racial barriers, if only for a moment.
Common MistakeSome readers might interpret the kite solely as a symbol of freedom. However, it's crucial to recognize its complexity, particularly how it represents the fragility of cross-racial relationships in the play's context.
