Most people cannot see reality as it is from their own eyes. In Master Harold… and the Boys by Athol Fugard shows apartheid between blacks and whites in South Africa. While some of these whites wanted to end apartheid, other people who have lived with apartheid all their lives see no wrongs in it. These people want change, but they don't know they have the 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 altered at the end of the play to demonstrate 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 has a psychological barrier. “'You're the cream in my coffee. You are the salt in my stew, you will always be my need. 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 were times when we deliberately let you win a game so that you would stop sulking and...'” (Fugard, pages 27-28). Willie allows Harold to take control of him as Willie's psychological barrier does not allow him to rebel and go against what Harold was saying. This psychological barrier allows Harold to play and play with Willie as Willie cannot do anything about it as he feels he needs Harold even though he doesn't. This psychological barrier that Willie has also motivates many of his actions throughout... .. middle of paper......the logical barrier had motivated many of his actions throughout the entire play and Willie's psychological barrier changed as that the play was going on. The show takes place during apartheid and many concepts can be taken from this show if such an event happens again. Apartheid had affected many individuals physically, but also mentally. These mental “barriers” affect individuals subjected to apartheid throughout their lives as they are ingrained in the brain and are not something that can be repaired. Psychological barriers are much more difficult to break down considering they cannot be addressed or repaired with any surgery. We learn something new every day, something that is usually basic, but a psychological barrier is the instinct that is known and never forgotten. Works Cited Fugard, Athol, and Danny Glover. Master Harold and the boys. New York: AA Knopf, 1982.