Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
34(34%)
4 stars
36(36%)
3 stars
30(30%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
... Show More
The impact of this play on me was far more profound than I had initially anticipated.

I was given the task of reading this for my English class. Naturally, I thought it would be just another insignificant and compulsory reading assignment. However, it turned out to be so much more.

This play, set in South Africa in 1950, reveals the brutal and unappealing truth of racism. It shows that racism is not merely a word representing discrimination against a particular race; rather, it is something that can shatter friendships, tear apart families, and divide societies.

Hally, a young white man grappling with a deteriorating relationship with his family, befriends two black servants, Sam and Willie, who are employed by his mother. As the play unfolds, one begins to wonder how anyone could utter such atrocious things to another human being and believe they have valid reasons for doing so.

This play depicts a harsh reality of how things were during that time. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone as it offers valuable insights into the dark side of history and makes us reflect on the importance of equality and respect.

July 15,2025
... Show More
Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.
July 15,2025
... Show More
I first came across this in a college English course, and it has remained etched in my memory ever since.

The dialog is rife with humor, but as the play progresses, it takes a much darker turn. The focus of the play is on apartheid, and there are numerous hints of it in the first half - for instance, employees bringing food to the white boy.

The situation makes it extremely difficult for them to balance the power relationship. Having been with the white teenager for virtually his entire life, the question arises: are these men friends, family, or servants? How do they perceive the relationship, and how does he view it?

Fugard makes his point subtly throughout most of the play before driving home his criticism of racism and discrimination with a powerful climax. Alongside this, he also voices his opposition to the mistreatment of women (albeit not overly forcefully) and comments on family dynamics.

The play consists of only 60 pages, yet there is a great deal happening, despite the relatively limited action. With just one room and three characters, Fugard's play manages to encapsulate some profound and memorable ideas.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Second time through,

and I am still in awe of this play. It has such a slow build, gradually drawing you in with its subtleties and nuances.

But oh, that ending! It hits you like a ton of bricks, leaving you breathless and filled with a sense of wonder.

My sophomores are doing a wonderful job digging deeply into this short but powerful play. They are analyzing the characters, the themes, and the language with great insight and enthusiasm.

It is a joy to watch them engage with the text and discover new meanings and interpretations.

This play is truly a masterpiece, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to share it with my students.

It is a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones that unfold slowly, building to a climax that leaves a lasting impression.
July 15,2025
... Show More

Actual rating: 3.5


Awesome!


The simplicity of this play, along with its profound moral message, truly made it a wonderful read. Racism is an unfortunately deep-rooted aspect of human nature, and it is not something that we can easily eradicate. In the play, Harold would always be regarded as the 'Master', and his dear friends would always remain his slaves, referred to as 'Boys'. This shows the harsh reality of how deeply ingrained such discriminatory attitudes can be. It makes us reflect on the importance of constantly working towards equality and justice. The images accompanying the text also add to the overall impact, visually representing the themes and emotions present in the play.


description


description

July 15,2025
... Show More
In "Master Harold”...and the boys, we are introduced to a teenage white boy in apartheid South Africa.

He engages in an argument with two black men who work for his mother and with whom he has a close relationship. The discussion revolves around different perspectives on the world and society in general.

The play is filled with constant undercurrents of racial tension and injustice. It centers on a perverse coming-of-age story, following the main character's transformation from Hally to "Master Harold," the racist white member of apartheid South Africa that his parents and society expect him to become.

Despite having only a single setting, the play makes effective use of various dramatic elements. Stage directions, flashbacks, and engaging dialogue are constantly employed to vary the pacing and rhythm. This ensures that both the audience and the reader remain fully engaged and never experience boredom.

The play thus offers a powerful exploration of race, identity, and the complex dynamics of apartheid society.
July 15,2025
... Show More
This is an incredibly powerful play that delves deep into the devastating damage caused by apartheid and the insidious, corrosive nature of shame.

There is no traditional "action" as such. Instead, all the dialogue unfolds within a single setting, the St. George's Park Tea Room. And it is spoken by just three characters - two adult black men, Sam and Willie, who are employed at the tea room, and the white seventeen-year-old son of the owner, Hally, also known as Master Harold.

It is 1950, and the relationship between the boy and the two men is astonishingly complex. They, especially Sam, have been like fathers to him as he grew up, yet they are also the "boys" in the context of the play. Hally's own father is a cripple and a drunk, and by the end of the play, Hally ends up directing all his pent-up anger onto Sam, forever altering the nature of their bond. He is truly an awful boy, lacking in compassion. However, he still deserves our understanding because we can see what has warped his heart. What a truly sorrowful and poignant drama this is.

July 15,2025
... Show More
This play is one of many that explore the themes of racism and intolerance.

It is based on a personal sin from the author's adolescence, which gives it an added layer of authenticity.

The dialogue in the play is interesting and lovely, flowing breathlessly from one moment to the next.

However, in my opinion, there isn't much substance to it beyond the engaging dialogue.

I sincerely hope that this play was helpful to the playwright in some way, perhaps as a form of catharsis or self-expression.

But I'm not sure if it would have the same impact on anyone else.

It may be that the play is too niche or too personal to resonate with a wider audience.

Overall, while there are some enjoyable aspects to this play, it may not be a must-see for everyone.
July 15,2025
... Show More
The story was decent enough. It had its moments that kept my interest piqued.

The characters were well-developed, and their interactions added depth to the narrative.

The plot had a good flow, with no major hiccups or lulls.

However, what I really liked was the ending. It was unexpected yet satisfying.

It tied up all the loose ends in a way that made sense and left me with a sense of closure.

The author did a great job of building up to the climax and then delivering a conclusion that was both exciting and thought-provoking.

Overall, I would say that the story was a worthwhile read, and I look forward to seeing more from this author in the future.
July 15,2025
... Show More

Hally: "Penicillin and Sir Alexander Fleming! They are truly the major breakthrough in medical science in the Twentieth Century. Just imagine, if it wasn't for him and his discovery, we might have faced a completely different outcome in the Second World War. The impact of penicillin cannot be overstated. It has saved countless lives and changed the course of medical history."


Hally: "Philosophers have been grappling with these questions for centuries. What exactly is Art? And what is life? But basically, I suppose it's all about the giving of meaning to matter. It's about finding significance and purpose in the things around us. It's a complex and profound topic that has puzzled thinkers throughout the ages."


Sam: "But what about the concept of beauty? Isn't that an important part of art and life?"

July 15,2025
... Show More
I liked you and then loved you.

At first, my feelings for you were just a simple liking. I was attracted by your smile, your personality, and the way you carried yourself. Every time I saw you, my heart would skip a beat, and I would feel a sense of excitement and anticipation.

As time went by, my liking for you grew stronger and stronger, and before I knew it, it had turned into love. I found myself thinking about you all the time, wondering what you were doing, and if you were thinking of me too. I wanted to be with you every moment, to share my joys and sorrows with you, and to build a future together.

My love for you is deep and true, and I will do everything in my power to make you happy and to keep you by my side.
July 15,2025
... Show More
A very intense one-act play is set in 1950 South Africa.

Seventeen-year-old Hally, an idealistic white student, spends an afternoon with Sam and Willie, two black workers at the restaurant owned by Hally's family.

During the course of the events, Hally receives the news that his father, a toxic presence in his household, is being released from the hospital. This news ends the brief period of peace in Hally's life.

His complex relationship with Sam also unfolds and eventually unravels, revealing the deep divide that societal racism has placed between Hally and the man who could have been the father-figure he needed in his life.

The subplot of Willie's upcoming ballroom dance competition gives the play a recurring musical theme. The dialogue does a great job of digging through the emotional baggage of each character while capturing the essence of the time and place.

This play not only explores the personal relationships and emotions of the characters but also sheds light on the larger social issue of racism in South Africa during that era. It shows how the actions and attitudes of individuals are influenced by the society they live in and how difficult it can be to overcome the barriers of prejudice and discrimination.
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.