The references make it clear that Hally is someone who has clearly been formally educated, but this only makes it all the more clear that he understands little about the complexities of relationships and racism in his world.Īs for Sam, it is shown time and time again throughout the play that he is an idealist, a dreamer. Hallie knows all about Darwin and Alexander Fleming, but fails to truly see the institutional racism that exists all around him. However, as opposed to boosting Hally's intellect, Hally's educated and well informed allusions are meant to highlight his stunted interpersonal knowledge and his ignorance about the world right around him with stark contrast. These allusions make it clear that Hally has recieved a formal education. In the 'Man of Magnitude' conversation, as well as in other parts of the play, Hally frequently demonstrates his knowledge of the world by discussing Tolstoy, Darwin, Socrates, and other important figures in history.

These allusions were ones that the characters purposely chose to brought up, and ones that seem to be meaningful to the characters. I felt like although some of the pop culture references were interesting, they did not tell us nearly as much about the characters themselves. The allusions that I want to focus on today are primarily from Hally and Sam's 'Man of Magnitude' discussion, where they named people they admired.

Choose three of the allusions in the play andĬomment on how these allusions expand our understanding of the characters, their.

Master harold and the boys pdf