Comparison of Master Harold and Cry Freedom

Discrimination has been a world wide issue throughout history. From religious comments, to sexist comments; discrimination has no boundaries. However, one of the strongest forms of discrimination is racism. Because this issue is so infamous, there have been many different books, plays, and movies made to show most of the controversies that have occurred. Plays such as Master Harold... and the boys by Athol Fugard and movies such as Cry Freedom by Richard Attenborough both have been made to portray how serious racism is. Even though both of these works talk about the same issue, they also contrast in meanings.

From the beginning of both the play and the movie it is determined that racism towards African Americans is a common theme. In Master Harold... and the boys, two black men work for a white family in their restaurant business. During one afternoon Master Harold also known as Hally, and the boys also known as Sam and Willie reminisce on events that have occurred in their past. However, Sam steps on fragile grounds and talks about Hally's painful past with his father. It is then when Hally shows disrespect and racism towards Sam, by spitting directly into Sam's face. With many different examples of racism Cry Freedom is no different. One example of racism in the movie is when white police men destroy black South African's property. Out of sheer disrespect, white policemen go and destroy black South African's belongings and then, violently beat and mutilate them.

Even though both of these stories are very similar to each other, they contrast each other as well. Master Harold... and the boys is a story mostly about a relationship struggle between father and son. Early on in the play it is shown that Hally's father is an alcoholic cripple, and had not been a good father figure for Hally. This is shown when Hally reminisces on happier days, he had as a child. He talks about a day he spent with Sam, an African American worker of Hally's family. During this time, Sam had built a kite with Hally, so that they could go fly it together. Hally tells Sam that the kite had been a symbol of happiness and joy he had wished to experience with his father, but would have been too embarrassed. This relationship struggle is also shown when Hally explains darker memories. He explains one night when he had to ask Sam to help carry his father inside. His father was very drunk and had passed out on the ground. Hally turned to Sam, as a father figure, to help ease the pain of seeing his dad in such a critical condition.

Cry Freedom is not a struggle between son and father, but a struggle between the white South African government and black South Africans. Steven Biko, a very active black freedom fighter, teams up with Donald Woods, a white liberal newspaper editor. During this time, both men try to spread their views on racism. They feel that all men are created equal and should be treated that way. They spread their views in numerous ways such as the local newspaper, speeches, silent protests, and a book. Because Donald Woods works as a newspaper editor, he had put the activist views of Steven Biko on the front page numerous times. Steven Biko made numerous speeches to many people. Which were illegal, because Steven Biko was under house arrest for his views. Once in jail Steven had silently protested by going on a hunger strike. He had literally starved himself to death. Because Steven had died Donald Woods felt compelled to write a book on the views of Steven Biko. In order to get the book published, Donald Woods had to go out of the country and avoid the South African government.

Both Master Harold...and the boys and Cry Freedom talk about racism. However, they contrast by having different themes and plots. Master Harold...and the boys talks about racism, and a family struggle. Cry Freedom talks about racism and, a struggle between citizens and government. Because of works like these, people have been able to educate themselves about the struggle many have gone through. There have been so many changes because of these plays, movies, and books. There are less sexist comments, less religions comments and even less racism. However, even though racism is not as bad as it used to be, there are still many changes the world still needs to make.