Master Harold and the boys - Inclusion in the Curriculum Essay

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Master Harold and the boys - Inclusion in the Curriculum Essay

In his masterpiece "Master Harold" and the boys, Athol Fugard has

journeyed deep into sensitive issues including racism and growing up,

without sacrificing the high technical standard that often

distinguishes great theatre. The poignant and enlightening journey

that is Fugard's piece undoubtedly deserves inclusion in any English

curriculum, with the work's characterization, themes, conflicts and

motifs all earning this distinction.

With only three characters sharing dialogue and one of these playing a

minor role, detailed characterization is a highlight of "Master

Harold and the boys. The major protagonist, Hally, is a white

seventeen-year-old intended to be an autobiographical depiction of a

younger Fugard. Hally is an intelligent and thoughtful young man,

whose cheerfulness is dulled in the book with the news that his father

may be returning to his home from hospital. Essentially, Hally is

ashamed of his alcoholic, crippled and untrustworthy father, and

dislikes having him at home. In a conversation to his mother, he

states "I'm sick and tired of emptying stinking chamberpots full of

phlegm and piss" (48) revealing this discontent. Thus, whenever he is

mentioned, Hally becomes autocratic and aggravated towards the other

men - he unreasonably expects the "boys" to seamlessly move between

scapegoat and friend. Nonetheless, when we reach the climax of the

novel, Hally says with great pain "I love him, Sam" (58). Thus Hally

is divided in his heartfelt emotions of both love and anger.

The other major characters in "Master Harold" and the boys are Sam and

Willie - the 'boys'. These two black men are servants of Hally's

mother, and work at the tearoom in which the play is set. Sam is a

competent, intelligent and intuitive man, and it seems that in any

other society, he would be a valued and successful citizen considering

his abilities. From Sam's intellectual and emotional aptitude, Fugard

clearly depicts to readers the injustice of the South African

Apartheid system of racist segregation during which the play is set.

Willie, on the other hand, is portrayed as a character that would be

an outcast regardless of the societal values that surround him. Little

is heard from him during the novel. Thus, Fugard has depicted to us

the three echelons of Apartheid society...

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...ve something truly special. Nonetheless, their friendship is

broken by the Apartheid system, represented by the final motif - the

bench. The "Whites Only" bench is symbolic of the theme of white

supremacy and segregation, which splits relationships and friends

apart. Sam realizes this and comments to Hally: "You know what that

bench means now, and you can leave it any time you choose." (60) This

is Fugard's underlying message - that if we look past racist ideals

and walk away from them, we can "fly another kite" (59) and establish

a society where equality and harmony are paramount.

"Master Harold" and the boys is a masterfully composed, poignant piece

of drama, and undoubtedly deserves inclusion in English studies. With

technical aptitude in characterization and motifs, and moving,

sensitive issues explored in its themes and conflicts, this work will

undoubtedly encourage students to question racial prejudice and

segregation in modern society. Just as Fugard intended, it will

educate young minds that to be just and fair in regard to racism in

society, "All you've got to do is stand up and walk away from it."

(60). That is perhaps the most important lesson of all.

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