Hilda Samuels and Hally's mother can be compared and contrasted in "Master Harold" by Athol Fugard... and the boys. They can be compared based on their relationship with the domineering men in their lives and their absence in the work as a whole. They are both females; however, they come from different cultural contexts. There is a clear difference between the race and class of both females. The relationship between Hally's father and mother, as well as between Willie and Hilda, highlights how dynamic the relationship between a domineering male and a submissive female can be. The two reports reveal how similar the situations are even though the females come from completely different cultures. Hally states that when his mother isn't around, his father makes him empty the chamber pot. This gives the audience the impression that Hally's mother is the caregiver. The audience can therefore conclude that when the father is home, the mother takes care of his every need. Hally's father seems to be a demanding character and at the same time a huge responsibility towards Hally's mother. Yet, she supports him anyway. She is a strong woman who plays the dual role of facilitator and caregiver as she runs the tea shop and takes care of her husband simultaneously. Hally's mother is the bread winner. We know this because she is the owner of the tea shop. Acts as a peacemaker at home. This becomes evident through his conversation with Hally on the phone. He has to juggle two domineering characters who have equally strong personalities. He relies on Hally for help with his father. For example, Hally has to pick up her drunken father at a bar, despite the humiliation she faces. Hally's mother is presented as a weak... middle of paper... different, which reveals their character traits to the audience. Hilda and Hally's mother belong to different classes. They play similar roles in their home life, however their positions differ in the larger social society. Both women are not physically present in the show; they are represented through other characters who have their own problems. This introduces an element of prejudice into the play as women cannot represent themselves. The men in the play are the ones who ultimately bring the women in the play to life. Men therefore present a double characterization. Both women are ruled by men, yet they respond differently. Hilda is represented by Willie and Sam. Hally's mother is represented to the audience through the phone conversation she has with Hally. For both women, we cannot simply assume that the descriptions are accurate.