Comparing Characters in Athol Fugard´s Marter Harold and the Boys

Hilda Samuels and Hally’s mother can be compared and contrasted in Athol Fugard’s ‘Master Harold’… and the boys. They can be compared based on their relationship with the overbearing men in their lives as well as their absence in the play as a whole. They are both females; however, they are from different cultural backgrounds. There is a distinct difference between the race as well as the class of both females. The relationship between Hally’s father and mother as well as Willie and Hilda emphasises how dynamic the relationship between a domineering male and a subservient female can be. The two relationships reveal how similar the situations are even though the females are from completely different cultures.

Hally states that when his mother is not around, his father makes him empty his chamberpot. This gives the audience the impression that Hally’s mother is the caregiver. The audience can therefore conclude that when the father is home, the mother takes care of his every need. Hally's father seems to be a demanding character as well as a huge responsibility for Hally’s mother. Yet, she supports him nevertheless. She is a strong woman who plays the dual role of enabler and caregiver as she runs the tearoom and looks after her husband simultaneously.

Hally’s mother is the bread winner. We know this as she is the owner of the tea shop. She acts as the peacekeeper at home. This becomes evident through her conversation with Hally over the telephone. She has to juggle between two domineering characters that have equally strong personalities. She is reliant on Hally for help with his father. For example, Hally has to fetch his drunken father from a bar, despite the humiliation which he faces. Hally’s mother is presented as a weak ...

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... differ which reveals their character traits to the audience. Hilda and Hally’s mother are from different classes. They play similar roles in their domestic lives however their positions differ in the broader social society. Both females are not physically present in the play; they are portrayed through other characters that have their own issues. This brings a bias element into the play as the women cannot represent themselves. The men in the play are the ones that ultimately bring the women to life in the play. The men consequently portray double characterisation. Both of the women are ruled by men, however, they respond differently. Hilda is represented through Willie and Sam. Hally’s mother is represented to the audience through the telephone conversation that she has with Hally. For both women, we cannot merely assume that the descriptions of them are accurate.