"Master Harold"...and the boys: Set Design

The first thing that I learned about the set of the play was that is was a wet and windy afternoon in Port Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth is a place where the Afrikaans were all forcibly pushed into, thus causing Port Elizabeth to be overcrowded and allowing diseases to transmit freely. Well before I go into why Port Elizabeth is significant, according to the background historical context, apartheid is THE root of all social problems in South Africa. Apartheid is why the Afrikaans are forcibly segregated from the Dutch, even though technically the Afrikaans are the ones who rightly belong to South Africa. Thus, it is evident that there is a twisted power dynamic through the intent of perpetuating institutionalized racism.

Now, putting all of the deep and evil propaganda aside, Fugard makes straightforward references to the furniture. There are tables and chairs, that have literally been cleared and are stacked on one side. However this seemingly simple and objective view suddenly makes an exception. There is one table that stands apart with a single chair. Now why is there a table that stands apart with a single chair when there are tables that have literally been cleared and are stacked on one side? Fugard doesn't give us the satisfaction of knowing why. It just is the way it is. I think Fugard is aware that some of us are questioning why there is a table and chair standing apart and perhaps he's trying to tell the audience that, as previously mentioned, it  just is the way it is. After the tables and chairs have been settled, utensils are then described in like a grocery list, in anticipation of a simple meal.

All of a sudden the serving counter comes into the picture.There are a few stale cakes under glass and not a very impressive display of sweets, cigarettes, and cool drinks, etc. How do I feel about this? Well Fugard is no longer being straightforward. The clarity was short-lived. My impression of the stale cakes which there are only a few of under glass....why are the cakes stale? Perhaps more attention needs to be given to the cake in order for the cakes to longer be stale. The "not-very-impressive-display-of-sweets" honestly does make me question why the sweets are not very impressive. Then there's basically lots of commercialized food and the prices of Tea, Coffee, Scones, Milkshakes--all flavors. So I'm guessing that this place is a cafe where people come for tea, coffee, scones, and milkshakes of all flavors. 

There are a few sad ferns in pots; a telephone; and old-style jukebox. These objects have nothing in common with each other. One is a plant, one is a calling machine, and the last one is musical instrument. The old-style-jukebox is probably mentioned last because it is the most important object. The jukebox will represent the profound artistic and cultural message in the play.

Even though the set design may seem unnecessary to look into, I am confident that there is a reason why Fugard chose the set design to be placed in this manner. However, the purpose or intent will most likely be unclear.