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Analysis Of The Book ' Master Harold ' And ' The Boys '

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Athol Fugard, the writer of “Master Harold” … and the boys, exerts a miscellany of literary devices to achieve a certain desired effect within the play. One such very special literary device he makes strong use of is the phone calls between Hally and his mother about his alcoholic father. The phone calls play a fundamental role both as an energizing ingredient and a pivot to establish the plays uncontrollable atmosphere, tension and suspense and allows the readers to question, analyse and then decipher the fragile and unknown relationship among Hally and his father. Although, Hally’s father is never seen on stage, the main arc of the play is catalyzed by his impending homecoming, just as he wields power over his son in his absence. Hally …show more content…

He is anticipating with dismay at his father’s eventual return from the hospital, and resents his dad for all the responsibility and liability he has been burdened with. As well as this, Hally even has to manage his mother, who is rather incapable and inadequate at standing up to her own husband. All these aspects of the phone call so far creates a frustrated and angered Hally. When he learns about his father’s return, things really quickly go downhill and the reader’s start visualizing the darker sides of this kid’s personality, and the impaired relationship he has with his father.

The purpose of Hally’s mother saying this is on the concept of boyhood and manhood, and how Apartheid has altered the notion of traditional adult and child roles. Hally is in fact only a child but because he lives in a racially segregated society and due to his status as a white person, he is given the role of “Master”, a title that claims a great deal of authority and it subconsciously forces him to conform to society’s beliefs. On the contrary, despite the fact that Sam and Willie have had more life experiences than Hally and are both grown men, they are still referred to as “boys”. Just as Hally is elevated to the role of “Master” because of his race, Sam and Willie are portrayed as “boys” and not given the respect of being “men”.

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As we all know, Hally has clearly been affected by his upbringing and a daunting childhood. He had to always be

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