Use Of Tension In Master Harold By Fugard.

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The tension gradually increases towards the end of the play as there is a shift from the dream world back to reality as soon as the phone rings, interrupting the three characters. In that moment everything that had been previously built begins to break down, especially in terms of character relationships. Fugard uses different dramatic devices such as dialogue, language and action to build up the tenson and highlight Hally’s emotional breakdown. Firstly, the increase in tension is particularly evident in terms of the development in character relationships. The phonecalls allows us to gain an insight into Hally relationship with his parents. He uses a tone of authority with his mother and doesn’t seem to hide his anger and frustration when he learns that his father is coming home. He blames it on her by asking her “Why did you do it Mom?”, “I hope you know what you’be let us in for”. He does not seem to retain his emotions and he is extremely agressive towards her by speaking to her “viciously” in a “loud” voice. As soon as his Dad is on the phone, Hally’s “tone changes completely”. He seems to lie to his father by saying “You being home is just about the best news in the world”. Fugard highlights Hally’s “emotional conflict” through the use of ellipsis, which intensifies the tension. Therefore the phonecall is significant as it allows us to understand more about Hally’s relationship with his father as well as representing the interruption from the dream world. The phonecall then leads to a deterioration in Hally’s use of dialogue. He seems to be unable to control his emotions and he ends up taking it all out on Sam and Willie. Initially Hally does not respond to Sam’s attempt to console him and he remains passive, a “strained silence” is created and Hally seems to have “no response”. Fugard uses silence as a device to highlight Hally’s internal struggles and
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