Master Harold... And the Boys Lesson Plan

Sam and Willie use many colloquial South African words and phrases. Is this important to the play? Why or why not?

Sam and Willie use several South African slang words such as “Boet”, “ja”, and “ag no man.” These words are unfamiliar to most non-South African readers and require a dictionary and/or explanation. While these words may be confusing at first, they are crucial to the play. First, the inclusion of South African slang helps establish the play’s setting. They demonstrate the unique time and place “Master Harold” is situated in. Furthermore, they help to characterize Sam and Willie and differentiate them from Hally, who thus far doesn’t use slang.

Although it is...