Most people cannot see reality as it really is with their eyes. In Master Harold… and the Boys by Athol Fugard, he shows the apartheid between blacks and whites in South Africa. While some of these white people wanted to end apartheid, other people who lived with apartheid their whole lives did not see the downside. These people want change, but are unaware that they are a problem known as a psychological barrier. In the play, Athol Fugard uses Willie struggling with a psychological barrier, how Wille's psychological barrier motivates his actions, and how Willie's barrier is changed at the end of the play to prove how Willie is negatively affected by apartheid. Willie is a very dynamic character. in Master Harold…and the Boys. In addition to being dynamic, it also presents a psychological barrier. “You are the cream in my coffee. You the salt of my stew, You will always be my necessity. I would be lost without you…’” (Fugard, page 9). Willie feels he needs Harold to survive. His psychological barrier makes him think that he cannot be himself and that he needs someone else to live. Willie also allows Sam and Harold to take advantage of him. "Willie: 'You and Sam cheated.' Hally: 'There have been occasions when we intentionally let you win a match so that you would stop sulking and…'” (Fugard, Pages 27-28) Willie allows Harold to take control of him since the psychological barrier. of Willie does not allow him to rebel and go against what Harold said. This psychological barrier allows Harold to play with Willie since Willie cannot do anything about it since he feels that he needs to. 'Harold even though he doesn't have one This psychological barrier that Willie has also motivates many of his actions throughout the.... ... middle of paper ...... the logical barrier had motivated many. of his actions throughout the play and Willie's psychological barrier took a turn as the play progressed The play is set during apartheid and from this play many concepts can be taken. into consideration if such an event happened again Apartheid affected many people physically, but also mentally. These mental “barriers” affect individuals subjected to apartheid for life, because they are ingrained in the brain and cannot be repaired. Psychological barriers are much more difficult to break down since they cannot be faced or repaired through surgery. We learn something new every day, something that is usually basic, but a psychological barrier is a known and never forgotten instinct. Works Cited Fugard, Athol and Danny Glover. Master Harold and the boys. New York: AA Knopf, 1982.