Characterization in any play, novel, or short story shows the purpose and the importance of each character. In showing this purpose one would write what each character is, and also portray what they would actually look like. In characterizing, the use of quotes becomes very helpful. Quotes from each character(s) show the characters motives, attributes and other features. In " Master Harold" and the boys, a play based in South Africa around the 1950's about three friends, Sam, Willy, and Hally also known as Master Harold. These characters deal with everyday life problems: segregation, ill family, and yet remain to stay close friends. In this play one believes that each character has its rank in importance. Sam, who is a very intelligent black man is the most important because he is the one who lets everyone know what they are doing wrong and how to fix it. Willy, a complete dunce is a very quiet but impatient man. Willy learns a lot from his best friend who gives him advice when he needs it. Then there is Hally, a seventeen-year-old white male, who has befriended two black men who work for his mother's saloon. With these three characters the true-life story of Athol Fugard. The author of this play really comes out.
In this play there is a black servant, in his mid - forties whose name is Sam. Sam is a very intelligent, and plays an extremely important part in "Master Harold" and the boys. Throughtout Fugard's play, Sam is transformed from a very important to almost no importance at all.
Sam's character is like a wet mop to a floor, he soaks up everything. What is meant is Sam is the backbone of the play. And without him all the water would be left to dry. During the play, Sam soaked up Hally and Willy; his best friends problems before he rinsed out his own. Sam help to others shows how important he actually is. " One day she's going to leave you for good.".
In this quote Sam is trying to help Willie see the importance of his women, and why he should not hit her.