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Sam's Character Analysis.

Speech:

-He uses wise nurturing language with both Hally and Willie

Looks:

-Wears his uniform indicative of his position

-His appearance is dignified showing his inner stregnth

Actions:

-Takes care of his responsibilities at work.

-Shows patience in the face of disrespect.

Thoughts:

-Reflects on his life with dignity despite the oppresive system.

Effect on others:

-Offers guidance to Willie and Hally showing empathy

Willie's Character Analysis:

Speech:

-Often speaks in anger and frustration especially in relation to Hilda

Actions:

-Sometimes causes frustration and tension and Sam help him with his conflict with Hilda.

Looks:

-Appears physically tired reflecting his emotional and physical burden.

Thought:

-Struggles with his inner conflict, self doubt and frustration in his situation.

Effects on others:

Works hard but his emotional outbursts sometimes leads to trouble-responds to Sams advice.

Hally's Character Analysis:

Looks:

-Young and innnocent

Actions:

-Hurtful and disrespectful.

Thoughts:

-Conflicted and confused

Speech:

-Arrogant

-Prejudice

Effects on others:

-Hurtful and rash

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Sam's Character Analysis.

Speech:

-He uses wise nurturing language with both Hally and Willie

Looks:

-Wears his uniform indicative of his position

-His appearance is dignified showing his inner stregnth

Actions:

-Takes care of his responsibilities at work.

-Shows patience in the face of disrespect.

Thoughts:

-Reflects on his life with dignity despite the oppresive system.

Effect on others:

-Offers guidance to Willie and Hally showing empathy

Willie's Character Analysis:

Speech:

-Often speaks in anger and frustration especially in relation to Hilda

Actions:

-Sometimes causes frustration and tension and Sam help him with his conflict with Hilda.

Looks:

-Appears physically tired reflecting his emotional and physical burden.

Thought:

-Struggles with his inner conflict, self doubt and frustration in his situation.

Effects on others:

Works hard but his emotional outbursts sometimes leads to trouble-responds to Sams advice.

Hally's Character Analysis:

Looks:

-Young and innnocent

Actions:

-Hurtful and disrespectful.

Thoughts:

-Conflicted and confused

Speech:

-Arrogant

-Prejudice

Effects on others:

-Hurtful and rash

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Willies character analysis:

Speech:

Quote: “Yesterday I’m too straight, today I’m too stiff?!” This quote reflects his anger issues and struggles with dancing. While Willie is not a cruel and ignorant character, his temper seems to get out of control sometimes and his frustration for little things make him a bit weak in positivity.

Thoughts:

Willie yearns for success and happiness in his life so he gives his best in every challenge that he faces.

He desperately wants to learn but tends to get upset in the process. Sam guides him and shows him how to be a better person.

Sam tells him about the importance of respect that he should show to Hilda and if he doesn’t use kindness and hope, he won’t find approval or success.

Effect on others:

On Sam: Willie seeks knowledge and guidance from Sam and respects him a lot for his wise attitude and tries to learn as much as he can from him even just for small things like dancing.

On Hilda: Willies abusive relationship with Hilda should make her very uncomfortable and scared of him. However his hope and decision to break this cycle of abuse can make him a more positive character and Hilda could seek comfort and change from him.

On Hally: Willies willingness and gratitude towards Hally makes him respectful towards him and to always have a desire for following Hallys lead. However Willie starts to get suspicious and upset about Hallys racist behaviour.

Actions:

Willies dance practice and his developing patience shows how HE is developing as a character.

His progress starts to have an effect on him changing his frustrated character even if it’s slow.

Looks:

While his looks are not described, we see a lot of resemblance with Willies actions and his mood and traits. For example, Willies dancing is stiff which perfectly portrays his character: raw and rash.

His posture and interactions with Hally make him less confident than he already is.

He wishes to have the grace and confidence that Sam has when he talks to Hally and dances.

His rough dancing and mood reflects on his struggles and sadness.

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Ayesha:

STEAL METHOD

Sam:

Speech:he is a very kind person he helps everyone but hally and willie sometimes mistreats him.

Thoughts: he is being mistreated he still doesnt say anything but from inside he is actully hurt.

Effect:even thought he is very kind no one actully sees it he wants to study but the harsh reality wouldnt let him.

Actions: his actions show everything about him the way he is helping everyone and he surely is multitasking.

Looks: he is a black middle aged man who is alway in proper clothing and with discipline.

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Ayesha:

Sam is like a mentor to hally the they have a father son relationship even thought sam is kind to everyone no talks to him nicely he is a very good person.willie is a good person but has anger issues and is abusive to hilda but sam stops him and he actully listens to him.hally is a innocent boy who has been affected by the society he is a good person thought we can see some tone and rude language in him its because of the harsh society reality .and we can see that he does not have a good relationship with his father maybe he is abusive towards him.

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Hally’s Character Analysis:

Hally’s personality is shaped by the societal norms in the apartheid of South Africa. These norms contribute to an inner conflict in Hally. This also affects his relationship with Sam and Willie. While he appreciates their friendship, the societal standards pressure him to follow racist attitudes, which also cause complications in their friendship. Hally’s personality is also significantly affected from his home life. His father’s alcoholism creates a toxic environment for him and leads to Hally feeling insecurity, which can affect his relationships. The lack of a nurturing parent figure leads him to seek validation from Sam and Willie. His insecurity leads to him belittling Sam to assert control. Hally also struggles with defining himself in a society that decides superiority based on race. His interactions with Sam allow him to explore past the racial values, however societal pressures pull him to racism. The friendship between Sam and Hally shows how certain environments influence personal traits. Sam’s patience and wisdom give Hally moments of self searching, challenging him to face the norms of the society at that time. However, Hally’s desire for acceptance and recognition leads him to deny these lessons, which show how his environment affects his traits. In conclusion, Hally’s environment contributes to the altering of his traits, resulting in complications from his genuine affection for Sam and Willie, and the societal expectations which influence racial superiority. This struggle shows the themes of power, difference, identity and the impact of the apartheid in South Africa.

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P- Willie can get frustrated sometimes and have outbursts when something goes a little wrong and this shows how he is short tempered.

E- the quote “ag no man, Sam! Mustn’t talk. You make me make mistakes” shows that he gets angry easily, and gets stressed when told stuff.

E- Willie saying this shows he Dosent like making mistakes and even gets mad when dancing when your supposed to enjoy it instead of getting frustrated. Even when Hilda used to come if she did something wrong she would get hit by Willie due to his anger issues. Sam is also there trying to guide him and make him understand properly instead of getting worked up.

A- this moment can also be shown on how Willie is an emotional character who gets frustrated while Sam is trying to help him and guide him slowly in the quick step he is trying to learn. Sam’s teachings can make Willie grow and lower his fustration and aggression towards dancing and on Hilda when dancing with her. He complains how his partners get it wrong instead practicing to get it right he hits them which is not a good idea and it’ll make him more aggressive towards dancing. This is why Sam’s character also tries to help during Willies outbursts.

L- the quote ties to the theme of how Willie can be an emotional character and Sam helping him and guiding him along the way since Sam wants best for him.

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Willies character analysis

Willies emotional outbursts lead to Willie being more frustrated and always in trouble he may work hard but his emotionas take control of him willie is not educated and still acts like a child you find this out through his speech I try hard because it is hard,” shows his child like personality and shows how he is honest and does not  overthink anything willies word have no deeper meanings to them he just says what comes to mind.   Willie's harsh words about Hilda expose his internalized anger and his struggle with expressing emotions. But later on, his later apology shows he has developed and has recognised his mistake and is trying his hardest to change. Willie also wants approval and success. We see this in the dance as he keeps practicing no matter what even going as far as to practice with a pillow and abuse Hilda. Willie doesn't know much about the world but when he learns from sam and learns about romance he tries to change and even stops abusing Hilda. Willie thinks of sam as his mentor and seeks guidance from him, willie starts developing as a character and grows morals by the end when he promises to stop abusing Hida there is not much written about Willies physical appearance but a lot can be said on his body language as when he dances he is stiff which shows his emotional struggles but slowly with sam and Hallys help Willies confidence grows and his dance becomes more relaxed. When willie sees sam dance he enyes him and wants to be free and layed back like sam in dance and life

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Hally is a troubled and complicated character who struggles with his emotions and the world around him. He often acts superior to Sam and Willie, speaking down to them because he sees himself as more educated, even though they have more life experience. Deep down, Hally is frustrated with his life, especially his difficult relationship with his alcoholic father, and he takes out his anger on those closest to him. At times, he shares a real bond with Sam, but when upset, he lashes out in cruel ways, showing how much he has been influenced by the racism of apartheid. His actions hurt the people who care about him, making him a tragic example of how prejudice and personal struggles can shape someone’s behavior.

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Sams character analysis

Sam’s character has a lot of meaning to it. Sam himself represents wisdom and deep empathy,he talks in a nurturing language with both Willie and Hally showing how he wants to help them and support them. Sam looks past all of Willie's tantrums and childish behaviour and tries to help him like when he says “The secret is to make it look easy” he is not just teaching Willie about dance but also important life lessons like maintaining dignity under oppression.These life lessons help Willie countless times. His deep understanding of human nature and reflection on past mistakes shows his wisdom even in the smallest of ways. He has a very positive affect on others and shows care and patience.He shows empathy as he is a mentor for others and even a father figure for Hally,he doesn’t only focus on a médiat actions like helping with dance but also small self improvement that inspire Willie which we see in little moments like when Hally betrays him with racial insults instead of showing out bursts of anger ,Sam responds with dignity, preserving Hally’s humanity by reminding him of their shared bond.This also shows his hope for society and how he wants to help despite being shunned from society we see this as Sam’s actions and monument show dignity and confidence that shows grace and self respect even when society shuns him and doesn’t treat him like a human.

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Filza:

Willie:

speech:

Willie has no bad intentions, just short temper, and is quite confused as he is uneducated. Example: "I got no romance left for Hilda anymore." This shows he is short-tempered and has his mind made up.

example:'yesterday im too straight...now I'm too stiff!' this shows his confusion and things going through his head.

Example:"[desperate but still dancing] I am relaxed." This shows how worried he is and the pressure he has, but still refuses to understand Sam.

thoughts:he thinks hilda is wrong and hitting her is okay and shes a bad woman .

sam inspires him a bit, and he thinks Hilda makes him the hell in too much.

He takes Sam as a brother and tries to listen to him, but he has also been mean, but he only thinks of Hilda as the wrong one

Effect on others :his effect is negitive for hilda as he abuses her hence for hally he does work for him so its positive .

Actions :his actions can stress out sam and have a unwanted effect on hilda and his actions affect his mental health quite a bit.

Looks:his looks can cause him to be mistreated as he is black and his dance moves shows that he over do's it .

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Filza:

Sams character analysis:

speech:sam is a mentor like figure and cares about hally and willy.He is very mature and logical and also has talents like dancing.

Example:"thats your trouble. ur trying too hard.'this shows that sam is trying to tell wille he is wrong and he wants him to keep it chill.

Example":The secret is to make it look easy "this shows that he is vey logical and has a mature mindset hence wants willie to realise too.

Example:look and learn,feet together ,back straight and body relaxed.this tells that sam knows quite a bit about dancing or could also be his talent as he is teaching it.

Thoughts:

sam has i big thought and his action potrays it.

He knows quite a bit about the dynamics and he lets it be and helps willie and hally out.he ignores the toxicity and focuses on helping people out.

he has hopes for the racial boundries to break and to see hally become a better person.

Actions:he helps willie in dancing and he tries to get closer to hally and help both willie and hally out.

him flying the kite shows how desperate he is to have racial harmony

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Analyse the following quotes using the PEEAL Method. Look at the example.

Example:

"I’ve told you, Willie. You mustn’t hit her."

P – Point
Sam’s line highlights the theme of respect and moral guidance, emphasizing his role as a mentor and peacemaker in the play.

E – Evidence
The quote, “I’ve told you, Willie. You mustn’t hit her,” directly shows Sam reprimanding Willie for his violent actions toward Hilda, which underscores his disapproval of violence.

E – Explanation
Sam’s statement reflects his strong belief in non-violence, suggesting that respect should guide all interactions, particularly in relationships. By offering this reprimand, Sam not only demonstrates his maturity but also his sense of responsibility, encouraging Willie to reflect on his behavior and improve. This scene suggests that Willie’s aggression may stem from deeper frustrations or a lack of emotional control, and Sam is attempting to guide him toward better self-discipline.

A – Analysis
This moment can also be seen as symbolic of the broader social issues of the time. Willie’s aggression may reflect the oppression and frustrations that many faced under apartheid, a system that perpetuated inequality and emotional strain. In contrast, Sam embodies hope, compassion, and the possibility of overcoming these hardships. His intervention also shows his caring nature, as he steps in to correct behavior he knows is damaging.

L – Link
This quote ties into the broader themes of the play, such as the need for moral guidance, personal growth, and respect. The "world without collisions" Sam dreams of in ballroom dancing represents a vision of a peaceful world, much like the one Sam wishes for Willie and society at large. It suggests that through respect and personal development, harmony can be achieved.

2. SAM: No, you're not. WILLIE: [He falters.] Ag no man, Sam! Mustn't talk. You make me make mistakes.

3. WILLIE: How can I enjoy myself? Not straight, too stiff and now it's also glide, give it more style, make it smooth . . . Haai! Is hard to remember all those things, Boet Sam. SAM: That's your trouble. You're trying too hard. WILLIE: I try hard because it is hard

4. WILLIE: I only got bus fare to go home. [He returns disconsolately to his work.] Love story and happy ending! [. . . .] Three nights now she doesn't come practice. I wind up gramophone, I get record ready and I sit and wait. What happens? Nothing. Ten o'clock I start dancing with my pillow. You try and practice romance by yourself, Boet Sam. Struesgod, she doesn't come tonight I take back my dress and ballroom shoes and I find me new partner. Size twenty-six. Shoes size seven. And now she's making trouble for me with the baby again. Reports me to Child Wellfed, that I'm not giving her money. She lies! Every week I am giving her money for milk. And how do I know is my baby? Only his hair looks like me. She's [messing]around all the time I turn my back. Hilda Samuels is a [bad woman]! [Pause.] Hey, Sam!

5. SAM: You hit her too much. One day she going to leave you for good.

6. SAM: [His turn to hold an imaginary partner.] Look and learn. Feet together. Back straight. Body relaxed. Right hand placed gently in the small of her back and wait for the music. Don't start worrying about making mistakes or the judges or the other competitors. It's just you, Hilda and the music, and you're going to have a good time. What Count Basie do you play

7. HALLY: [Gosh], what a lousy bloody day. It's coming down cats and dogs out there. Bad for business, chaps . . . [Conspiratorial whisper.] . . . but it also means we're in for a nice quiet afternoon.

8. One day somebody is going to get up and give history

a kick up the backside and get it going again.

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Harold's Character Analysis

Task: Review the STEAL Method, then describe a trait, support it with evidence, and clarify your analysis for the character.

Speech: Arrogant and Prejudiced

Example from the Text:
Hally refers to Sam and Willie in a condescending manner, using racial slurs and calling Sam "Master Harold" as a way to assert his sense of superiority.

Explanation/Analysis:
Hally's speech reveals his deeply ingrained sense of entitlement and superiority, shaped by his upbringing in apartheid South Africa. The racial slurs and disrespectful language show how he perceives people of different races as inferior. His condescending tone and use of "Master Harold" reflect how the oppressive system of apartheid influences his behavior, even towards people who have shown him kindness and care.

Thoughts: Conflicted and Confused

Example from the Text:
Hally struggles with his feelings of inferiority and resentment toward his father, often questioning why his father treats him with neglect and harshness.

Explanation/Analysis:
Internally, Hally is torn between admiration for his father and resentment toward him. He feels inferior to his father and is conflicted about the idea of becoming like him. This internal turmoil is a reflection of how deeply his father’s behavior has affected Hally’s worldview. It suggests that Hally’s prejudices and harsh treatment of Sam and Willie are partly a way for him to assert power in an environment where he feels powerless and trapped by his father’s toxic influence.

Effects on Others: Hurtful and Dismissive

Example from the Text:
Sam and Willie are deeply affected by Hally's treatment, with Sam in particular feeling hurt and disappointed by Hally's disrespect.

Explanation/Analysis:
Hally’s treatment of Sam and Willie highlights the power imbalance between them and his lack of empathy. His words dehumanize them and remind them of their place in the societal hierarchy of apartheid. His behavior shows how words and actions can emotionally wound others, especially when they come from someone in a position of perceived authority. The emotional responses of Sam and Willie, including their feelings of hurt and disillusionment, show the deep impact Hally’s actions have on them.

Actions: Immature and Rash

Example from the Text:
At the end of the play, Hally humiliates Willie by making fun of his dancing and calling him a "child" in front of others. This reckless behavior leads to a painful confrontation.

Explanation/Analysis:
Hally's actions toward Willie reveal his immaturity and lack of emotional control. By humiliating Willie, Hally not only exercises his power over him but also shows how unable he is to handle complex emotions or situations. His rash behavior further intensifies the tension in the play, showcasing his inability to deal with his personal issues in a mature way. This immaturity is tied to his unresolved feelings about his father and his social environment.

Looks: Young and Innocent

Example from the Text:
Hally is described as a young boy with the appearance of innocence, yet his behavior toward Sam and Willie contrasts sharply with his innocent outward appearance.

Explanation/Analysis:
Despite his outward appearance of youth and innocence, Hally’s prejudices and the harmful beliefs he exhibits are a stark contrast to his physicality. His appearance symbolizes the ways in which young people can inherit the harmful prejudices of their environment, as well as the potential for change. However, Hally’s behavior reveals that while he may appear innocent, he has already absorbed the damaging effects of apartheid, which shapes his views and relationships. This contrast between his looks and his behavior highlights the complexity of identity in a society where systemic racism is deeply entrenched.

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Willie's Character Analysis

Task: Review the STEAL Method, then describe a trait, support it with evidence, and clarify your analysis for the character.

Speech

Willie’s speech reveals his lack of education, frustration, and eventual growth.

Example: “I try hard because it is hard.” – This line shows his straightforward, almost childlike honesty about his struggles. He openly admits his difficulties, reflecting his perseverance despite his limitations.

His language is often blunt and lacks Sam's philosophical depth, highlighting his simpler worldview.

Willie's harsh words about Hilda (“Fuckin’ whore!”) expose his internalized anger and his struggle with expressing emotions healthily. However, his later apology signifies emotional development and recognition of his wrongdoings.

Thoughts

Willie's thoughts are indirectly revealed through his actions and dialogues.

He yearns for approval and success, both in dance and in his personal life, showing his desire for self-worth and accomplishment.

Initially, Willie’s worldview is limited, accepting his circumstances without question. However, his interactions with Sam inspire him to reflect on his behavior and the possibility of change.

His resolution to stop beating Hilda illustrates a significant shift in his mindset, showing his capacity for self-awareness and growth.

Effect on Others

Willie's interactions influence and reflect the dynamics between the characters.

On Sam: Willie looks up to Sam as a mentor and seeks his guidance, highlighting the trust and respect he has for Sam's wisdom.

On Hilda: His abusive behavior reflects the cycle of oppression affecting his personal relationships. However, his decision to change indicates hope for breaking this cycle.

On Hally: Willie’s willingness to follow Hally’s lead shows his submissive position in society but also illustrates the complex racial hierarchy. However, his eventual defiance against Hally’s racist behavior hints at his growing sense of dignity.

Actions

Willie’s actions reveal his struggles, growth, and desire for redemption.

His diligent dance practice demonstrates his persistence and desire to better himself, even if progress is slow.

Initially, Willie resorts to violence to assert control over his frustrations, particularly with Hilda, showing his internalized oppression.

By the end, his choice to apologize and commit to stopping his abusive behavior signifies his moral development and willingness to change.

Looks

While Willie’s physical appearance isn't described in detail, his demeanor and movements convey his character.

His stiffness in dance symbolizes his emotional rigidity and struggles with expressing himself. It also reflects his social constraints and the pressures he faces as a black man in apartheid South Africa.

His posture and interactions convey submission around Hally but confidence grows through his bond with Sam, reflecting his evolving self-perception.

The way he watches Sam dance with admiration shows his longing to embody that same grace and ease, both in dance and in life.

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Sam's Character Analysis:

Task: Review the STEAL Method, then describe a trait, support it with evidence, and clarify your analysis for the character.

Speech

What Sam says reveals his wisdom, compassion, and subtle resistance to injustice.

Example: “The secret is to make it look easy.” – This line reflects his philosophical approach to life, teaching Willie not just about dance but about maintaining dignity under oppression.

His language is calm and measured, often layered with deeper meaning. His metaphors, like the ballroom dance representing a harmonious society, reveal his hope for social equality.

He speaks respectfully and thoughtfully, even when provoked, showcasing his emotional intelligence and self-control.

Thoughts

Sam's thoughts are revealed indirectly through his dialogue and actions.

He shows a deep understanding of human nature and the social dynamics of apartheid. His advice to Willie and Hally often carries double meanings, reflecting his awareness of their social realities.

He reflects on his own experiences with discrimination but chooses to rise above bitterness, instead focusing on teaching compassion and dignity.

His memories, like the kite-flying incident, symbolize his hope for breaking racial boundaries and his desire to inspire Hally to see beyond prejudice.

Effect on Others

Sam profoundly impacts both Hally and Willie.

Hally looks up to Sam as a father figure and intellectual equal, relying on him for guidance and emotional support. Sam’s influence helps Hally think more critically, although Hally ultimately succumbs to societal racism.

Willie respects Sam’s wisdom and patience. Through Sam’s mentorship, Willie learns to treat Hilda with more kindness, highlighting Sam’s role as a moral teacher.

Even when Hally betrays him with racial insults, Sam responds with dignity, preserving Hally’s humanity by reminding him of their shared bond.

Actions

Sam consistently acts with patience, wisdom, and compassion.

He teaches dance to Willie with encouragement, embodying grace and kindness.

Sam chooses nonviolent resistance when Hally lashes out, walking away rather than retaliating. This act demonstrates his strength of character and commitment to forgiveness.

His symbolic action of flying the kite with Hally represents his hope for racial harmony and his attempt to uplift Hally’s spirits, showing his nurturing, fatherly love.

Looks

While Sam's physical appearance isn’t detailed, his demeanor speaks volumes.

He carries himself with quiet dignity and confidence, embodying grace and self-respect even in a society that denies him equality.

His movements during the dance scenes are fluid and elegant, symbolizing his inner freedom and aspiration for a harmonious world.

His composed posture contrasts with the societal constraints around him, reflecting his resilience and inner strength.

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"Master Harold" ... and the boys Trailer

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Pages 1- 5

Summary/Analysis

It is a rainy day and there are no customers in the St. George’s Park Tea Room in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, where the black servants Sam and Willie work. Because they have the place to themselves, Willie sings as he cleans the floor with a rag then begins to practice ballroom dancing in preparation for an upcoming competition. Sam reads comic books at a table. Willie asks Sam to judge his dancing, and Sam tells Willie to relax. Willie is frustrated with the difficulty of dance.

The play opens with the two black servants, Sam and Willie, at ease. They have a rare opportunity to speak freely at work because the rain has kept away the customers and they are alone. Is it a coincidence that the two men can enjoy such freedom only when their white bosses or white customers aren’t around? Dance is presented, from the very beginning, as means of escaping life as it is.

Sam and Willie discuss movie star dancers and romance as a metaphor for dance. Willie says he doesn’t have any romance left for his dancing partner, Hilda. She doesn’t come to practice, he says, and she sleeps with other men. Sam gets Willie to admit he’s been beating Hilda when she misses steps and has scared her away.

It is important to note that, just because the play condemns racism, it does not portray its black characters unrealistically: they have flaws just like the whites in the play. Willie recreates racism’s oppressive power dynamic when he beats his dancing partner.

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Pages 6-10

Summary/ Analysis

In an effort to help Willie with his practice, Sam gives a demonstration of the quickstep. He is a great dancer. Hally, the owner’s son enters at the door to see the end of Sam’s performance. Willie springs to attention to wait on Hally while Sam is more casual. Sam tells Hally that his mom has gone to pick up his father, who is a crippled war veteran, from the hospital.

Sam is not just a great dancer in the literal sense that he can move well on the dance floor—he is a great dancer in the symbolic sense that dance takes throughout the play as well. He knows how to move gracefully in complex and often trying social situations, and is doing his part to try to make a world without collisions.

Hally is unhappy at the news, and because Sam only overheard his mother talking on the phone, he argues that Sam must be mistaken. Sam serves him soup at the table with comic books on it, and Hally calls them rubbish and has him take them away.

Hally’s unhappiness at his father’s potential return creates a sense of mystery and foreboding—why is their relationship so strained? What is Hally dreading? This begins to set up the play’s main conflict.

Hally and Willie banter about dance and Willie accidentally hits Hally with his washrag. Hally tells “the boys” to get back to work and presses for more details about his father coming home. It’s clear he’s troubled at the prospect. He concludes Sam misunderstood.

Already Hally’s latent and, at least partially, unconscious racism begins to show. Does Hally not trust Sam because Sam only overheard his mother on the phone, because he doesn’t want what Sam has told him to be true, or because Sam is black? This ambiguity (all the options are possible, and not mutually exclusive) also begins to build tension among the characters.

Active Themes

Hally starts to do his school work at the table and Sam grabs a mathematics book of Hally’s. He laughs at a caricature Hally has drawn of his mathematics teacher. Hally tells how he received six strokes on the backside for the drawing. Sam asks if it was with his trousers down, and, when he learns the answer is no, describes how black men are brutally beaten with a cane in prison. Hally tells him to stop with the description, it’s too gruesome.

Sam quickly demonstrates his thirst for learning and education, while Hally’s caricature of his teacher shows that Hally has taken his learning for granted. The beatings described are grossly unequal. Hally’s attempt to censor Sam’s description of the very real racist oppression happening in South Africa clues us in to his moral blindness. Hally, it’s clear, is morally lazy.

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Pages 11-15

Due Date:

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Pages 15-20