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

Racism and Apartheid

One of the central themes in Athol Fugard's play is the pervasive racism and apartheid system in South Africa. The play, set in 1950s Port Elizabeth, vividly portrays the racial tensions and inequalities of the time.

Throughout the play, we see how racism affects the relationships between characters:

• Hally's casual use of racial slurs and his condescending attitude towards Sam and Willie
• The segregation of public spaces, like the "whites only" bench mentioned in the play
• The power dynamics between the white Hally and his Black employees, Sam and Willie

HALLY: You're only a servant in here, and don't forget it.

This line starkly illustrates how deeply ingrained racism is, even in a young boy like Hally.

Coming of Age and Loss of Innocence

The play also explores Hally's coming of age and his loss of innocence. As the story progresses, we see Hally struggle with:

1. His complicated relationship with his alcoholic father
2. The realization of his own prejudices and racist attitudes
3. The erosion of his friendship with Sam

Father Figures and Mentorship

The theme of father figures and mentorship is crucial in "Master Harold" ... and the Boys. We see this play out in several ways:

• Sam as a surrogate father figure to Hally, providing guidance and support
• Hally's complex relationship with his biological father, marked by shame and resentment
• The contrast between Sam's positive influence and Hally's father's negative impact

SAM: You're just a little boy and you're trying to be a man.