Hally From “Master Harold And The Boys“

Athol Fugard’s “MASTER HAROLD…and the boys” is an indictment of the ignorance, racism and hatred that is continued even in today’s society. Harold, or Hally, is the true example of a precocious white teenage boy, and “the boys,” Sam and Willie, are black men, who work for Hally and his family. Fear and ignorance bind Harold and the boys in these discriminating roles. The capitalization of the title of this play shows the irony of Hally’s youth to that of Sam and Willie’s wisdom. The status of their relationships can be determined not only because Hally is white and Sam and Willie are black, but also because it is known that the boys play servant roles just from the title of the play.

However, Hally’s camaraderie relationship with Sam and Willie is defined in the opening scene where Sam and Willie are cleaning the family-owned tearoom while practicing for a ballroom dancing competition. Hally cheerfully enters the room and exclaims, “How’s it chaps?” (pg. 1284) and a same level of respect for one another can be seen. Hally and the boys chat and Sam informs Hally that his mother called and said Hally’s father would be returning home. Immediately Hally

Hally’s crippled alcoholic father is the reason for his sudden abusive and racist behavior. Hally grew up with the racist attitude of his father and somehow overcame it through Sam’s teachings and companionship. His father being in the hospital simply allowed Hally to breathe and enjoy life without having to worry about the roles he was to fulfill. On pg. 1295 Hally states: “Just when you’re enjoying yourself, someone or something will come along and wreck everything.” His intense hate and shame he has for his father is shown with the words spoken to his mother, yet when Hally has to engage himself in a conversation with his father, the hate seems to disappear. He does not let it be seen to his father that he has a hate inside waiting to be heard. Instead he puts on a smile and says on pg. 1296, “Okay, chum, see you in a little while.”

Hally’s obliviousness to discrimination is seen when on pg. 1286 Sam and himself are discussing the brutal tactics that take place in jails. “I’ve heard enough Sam, it’s a bloody awful world when you come to think of it. People can be real bastards,” Hally says. “That’s the way it is,” Sam tells Hally. Though discrimination seems to be oblivient to Hally, on pg. 1289 Hally’s reminisce of old memories with the boys and the statement “Walking home from school and thinking: “What can I do this afternoon?” Try out a few ideas, but sooner or later I would end up in there with you fellows,” shows that Hally established early a defining core relationship to the boys and truly cared for them, despite society’s word on forbidden black/white relationships. The laughing and joking shows the respect that had developed between one another over the years. One specific memory that shows the defining respect Sam and Hally have for each other is the kite memory. Sam remembered this memory clearly, yet he wanted for Hally to tell it to him, possibly in an attempt to see what Hally kept from it. This memory is again discussed in the ending actions of Hally.

Following this ego-changing phone call, it seems as if Hally’s attitude and respect for Sam is abolished. After Sam tries to simply

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