I read this for Literature and Social Justice.

Published in 1982 and written by Athol Fugard, "Master Harold and the Boys" is an incredibly powerful play. It vividly portrays racism and prejudice through the interactions of two men and a boy. The story is truly compelling and emotionally driven. I had never even heard of it before my social justice and literature course. However, I am extremely glad that it was included in the course.

As Athol Fugard himself has said, theatre gave voice to people who could not use their own.

I firmly believe that this play is an eye-opening work. It can be quickly read, listened to, or watched, and it has the ability to evoke a wide range of emotions within the audience. Moreover, it provides an opportunity to gain a perspective that one may have never considered before. It makes us think deeply about the issues of racism and prejudice and how they affect people's lives.

Overall, "Master Harold and the Boys" is a remarkable piece of literature that should not be missed.

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This is an incredibly remarkable play.

It is astonishingly short yet manages to deliver a truly massive impact. Fugard approaches racial issues with great precision and sharp astuteness.

"Master Harold"...And the Boys progresses from a seemingly calm state to a highly intense one in the final few scenes at an extremely rapid pace. However, the details and connections that are intricately woven from the very beginning and ultimately converge in the climax make the rather slow start more than worthwhile.

This story is not simply about a boy and his father. It delves deep into the complex themes of racism, equality, and love.

It explores the harsh realities of a racially divided society and the profound emotions and relationships that exist within it.

Through the interactions and dialogues of the characters, we are able to witness the struggles, the hopes, and the dreams that are shaped by these powerful forces.

It is a play that leaves a lasting impression and makes us think deeply about the world we live in and the values that we hold dear.

A difficult one to rate.

The relationship between the young boy Hally and his two black workers is truly interesting. It is a complex mix of being affectionate on one hand and incredibly patronising on the other. The text delves deep into the racial issues of South Africa's apartheid system and is indeed the most famous work by South Africa's most prominent playwright.

And yet, surprisingly, I didn't really learn anything from it. In contrast to "My Children! My Africa!", Fugard isn't effectively balancing the complex responses to racial injustice in this play. Moreover, it lacks the beautiful poetic symbolism that was present in "The Road to Mecca".

Overall, after having read some of his other plays, I must admit that this one is a bit of a disappointment. It's not a bad piece of theatre per se, but it's not that great either. Maybe it's even a little boring, despite dealing with some weighty moral issues. It seems to lack that certain spark or depth that would have made it truly outstanding.

Short play that I believe is supposed to focus on the fundamentals of racism and how they are instilled in a nurture over nature manner; however…THAT’S IT?!

Hally, the son of the shop owners where our only setting lies in this story, is an arrogant SOB. He is rude and constantly undermines Willie and Sam, while remaining unapologetic and nasty. Sam, who practically raised Hally, knows how Hally is and tries to get him to understand how they’ll always be so different from one another because of race and the perception towards it. Hally knows damn well that the two are different, and ends the play with (SPOILER ALERT…not that the play is that exciting) demanding Sam refer to him as “Master Harold,” hence the title.

As annoying as a disgusting teenage boy who whines about his schoolwork and his parents, especially his father who he has to tend to because of his disability is, this doesn’t cover the issues of racism and blatant ignorance that are constant in our world. I had a former student tell me that she didn’t enjoy Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, because it was told through the point of view of someone who doesn’t experience injustice, and that similar feeling is what I thought of while reading this.

Where is the testimony? The truth in the ugliness of racism? This is like a cover-up to protect readers from realizing how oppressed POCs are. Poor Sam and Willie! The play seems to only scratch the surface of the complex and deeply rooted issue of racism. It fails to truly explore the pain, suffering, and discrimination that people of color have endured throughout history. There is so much more that could have been done to bring the reality of racism to light and make the audience truly understand its impact. Instead, we are left with a somewhat lackluster portrayal that leaves much to be desired.

I truly believe that this is an outstanding play. When compared to those I have perused, it stands out as the most enthralling and captivating. The captivating aspect might be somewhat attributed to the brevity of the play. However, for the most significant part, the continuous dialogue between the two characters and the conversational tone that exists between them have truly held my attention and enabled me to connect with certain scenes. Fugard has effectively conveyed the South African apartheid era and his own anti-apartheid convictions. Nevertheless, I would have been intrigued to read about the situation from Hally's mother's perspective and observe her reaction to Hally's sudden manifestation of racism.

This play offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of complex themes. It makes one reflect on the impact of historical events and the power of human relationships. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions add depth and authenticity to the story.

Overall, I highly recommend this play to anyone interested in exploring the themes of apartheid, race, and human nature. It is a powerful and engaging work that will leave a lasting impression.

Don't confuse historical significance with greatness.

And it's beautiful because [dancing] is what we want life to be like. But instead, as you said, Hally, we're constantly bumping into each other. None of us know the steps and there's no music playing. And this doesn't just apply to us. The whole world is doing it all the time. Open a newspaper and what do you read? America has bumped into Russia, England is bumping into India, the rich man bumps into the poor man. These are huge collisions, Hally. They cause a lot of bruises. People get hurt in all that bumping, and we're sick and tired of it now. It's been going on for far too long. Are we never going to get it right? Will we never learn to dance through life like champions instead of always being just a bunch of beginners at it?

We should strive to understand that historical significance doesn't necessarily equate to true greatness. In life, we long for the grace and harmony that dancing represents. However, in reality, we often find ourselves in a state of chaos and conflict, constantly colliding with others. The world is filled with these collisions, whether it's on a global scale between nations or on a more personal level between individuals of different social classes. These collisions cause pain and suffering, and it's time for us to break free from this cycle. We need to learn the steps, find the music, and dance through life with confidence and skill, like true champions.

I should not have read this in the middle seat of my flight back to Chicago.

Sorry ladies sitting next to me—I had to bust a tear or two. The last scene in this play cuts me to the core. It was as if the words on the page had a life of their own, reaching out and touching my very soul.

The emotions it evoked were so intense that I couldn't help but be moved. I found myself completely immersed in the story, forgetting about the flight and everything else around me.

As I read that final scene, it was like a knife twisting in my heart. The characters' pain and longing were so palpable that I could feel it deep within me.

It was a powerful reminder of the impact that a great piece of literature can have. Even in the midst of a busy flight, this play managed to transport me to another world and make me feel things I never thought possible.

"Master Harold"... and the Boys is a play that delves deep into the complex and unjust world of apartheid. Set in a tea room in Port Elizabeth on a rainy afternoon, it tells the story of Hally, a seventeen-year-old white boy, and his family's two black servants, Sam and Willie.

The play explores the relationships between these characters, highlighting the inequalities and prejudices of the time. Hally's father is an alcoholic, and his mother is largely absent, leaving Sam to fill a fatherly role. Willie, on the other hand, is younger and more naive, often relying on Sam for guidance.

As the play progresses, Hally comes up with the idea of writing a composition about Sam and Willie's dance contest. This看似琐碎的细节却被Fugard巧妙地转化为具有普遍性的主题，展现了梦想的美好和现实的残酷。然而，Hally最终无法摆脱他所受的教育和偏见，导致了悲剧的结局。

Despite the bitterness, there is a glimmer of hope in the play. Hally shows a spark of tolerance and compassion, and Sam and Willie continue to dance, symbolizing their perseverance in the face of adversity. "Master Harold"... and the Boys is not just an anti-apartheid drama; it is a powerful exploration of the human condition and the potential for change.

Apartheid is no longer present in South Africa. However, this remarkable play from those bygone years serves as a poignant reminder of the great cost endured by both sides of the color line.

The play is characterized by its subtlety, which allows the audience to gradually understand the complex and often hidden emotions and experiences of the characters. It is also deeply humane, presenting the individuals involved not as one-dimensional stereotypes but as real people with their own hopes, dreams, and fears.

What makes this play truly powerful is its ability to move the audience on a profound level. The pain and suffering depicted are palpable, and one cannot help but be affected by the stories of those who lived through the era of apartheid.

In conclusion, this play is a testament to the importance of remembering the past and learning from it. It reminds us that the consequences of discrimination and inequality can be far-reaching and long-lasting, and that we must continue to strive for a more just and equal society.

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I give 2+ out of 5 stars to Master Harold...and the boys, a play penned in 1982 by Athol Fugard. It truly pains me to award this work only 2 stars because I am fully aware of the significant value it holds in highlighting apartheid in South Africa, a cause that desperately needed more attention at that time. However, perhaps due to the fact that I read this when I was still quite young, I simply couldn't establish a connection with it. As a younger reader, I often found myself grappling with themes such as depression, war, slavery, and human rights. I simply couldn't fathom the idea of not treating people equally and fairly, and as a result, I struggled to engage with the stories. Maybe it was because I didn't want to experience those intense emotions or perhaps I didn't know how to handle them at that stage. With this particular work, the language, the theme, and the overall setting were all so unfamiliar to me that I felt it wasn't doing justice to the story and the cause it was meant to represent. It seemed as if it was intended for an older, more mature audience. In fact, I suspect that if I were to go back and read it now, I might have a completely different perspective and like it more. It's quite interesting to consider how our ratings for books and plays can change as we age. This is precisely why, on my blog, I have created the \\"what age to read which book by genre\\" series. My aim is to help ensure that books receive the best possible attention when they are being read. That being said, I would not discourage anyone from reading this play. It wasn't bad per se; it just failed to resonate with me on a deeper level. I suppose the characters were deliberately crafted to feel like templates or archetypes rather than real people suffering, in order to illustrate how this unjust situation was occurring all over the place, in various respects, shapes, and forms. In the end, it felt like a chore to read it, and when that happens, which is a relatively rare occurrence for me, I unfortunately have to assign a lower rating.



Has anyone else read this and felt differently? What do you think I might have missed?



\\n  \\n    About Me\\n  \\n

For those who are new to me or my reviews, here's the lowdown: I read an enormous amount. I also write a great deal. And now, I blog extensively as well. First, the book review gets posted on Goodreads, and then I transfer it over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com. On my blog, you'll not only find book reviews but also TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge, and plenty of blogging about the various places I've visited all around the world. You can also find all of my social media profiles, where you can get the details on who I am, what I do, when and where I do it, and view my pictures. Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings too. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

If done well, a play about racism can be a truly devastating and powerful piece of art. It has the potential to expose the deep-seated prejudices and inequalities that exist within society, and to make audiences confront the uncomfortable truth about our own biases.

A well-written play about racism can take many forms. It could be a historical drama that explores the roots of racial discrimination, or a contemporary piece that examines the ways in which racism still persists today. It might use humor to lighten the mood and make the message more accessible, or it could be a more serious and intense exploration of the topic.

Regardless of its form, a good play about racism should have the ability to move and inspire its audience. It should make them think about the issue in a new way, and perhaps even motivate them to take action to combat racism in their own lives.

In conclusion, a play about racism has the potential to be a truly remarkable and important work of art. If done well, it can have a profound impact on its audience and help to bring about positive change in society.