Symbolism In 'Master Harold' . . And The Boys

Section: Theater Essays

They begin talking about the art of dancing and how it can be seen as a metaphor of life. The dance is a symbol of inner harmony, social peace, and a world without violence or aggression. This is an ideal world. Sam points out that none of us know the steps; there is no music playing, but it does not stop the whole world from continuing. Even though there are bumps that leave bruises, life keeps on existing. We should just learn to dance life like champions. Hally, who only has words and books without value, falls in love with this analogy. At least until the next bad bump — when he has a phone conversation with his father. This leads to Hally mocking the pretty analogy by spewing forth the idea of cripples wrecking the dance of life contest. He is of course referring to his father and how he has ruined Hally's life. We've had the pretty dream, it's time now to wake up and have a good long look at the way things really are.

Nobody knows the steps, there's no music, the cripples are also out there tripping everybody and trying to get into the act, and it's all called the All-Comers-How-to- Make- A- Fuck-of-Life Championships. Hang on, Sam! The best bit is still coming. Do you know what the winner's trophy is? A beautiful big chamber-pot with roses on the side, and it's full to the brim with piss. And guess who I think is going to be this year's winner(Fugard,pp.1704-05). The chamber-pot is an object of the symbolism of disease that is prevalent in 'Master Harold' . . . and the Boys. Hally's father is sick in many ways: he is crippled, he is an alcoholic, and he is a racist. As a young boy Hally had to be sent to escort his drunken father home.

He imposed horrible tasks on his son; Hally would have to clean up excrement and empty the chamber-pot of phlegm and urine. Not only alcoholism is passed on from generation to generation; Hally was inheriting his father's social illness of racism. The two of these illnesses blended together to concoct something ugly. Hally's drunk father ignited his rage and apartheid made it acceptable to take it out on Sam. Their friendship disappeared with Master Harold's spit on Sam's face. Good did not conquer evil in 'Master Harold' . . . and the Boys. After years of lessons and friendship, Hally had truly learned nothing. A little boy was all he ever came to be; all he ever would have would be words and books that are meaningless without value. He became the man who caused his pain. Hally did not have to make the choice that he did; two of the symbols illustrate that fact: the kite and the dance. Hally decided to choose the negative symbols to shape his life. He chooses the bench and the disease.

Words: 491