Topics for Further Study
- Athol Fugard has dedicated much of his career as a playwright to crafting compelling dramas that highlight individual lives while simultaneously critiquing South Africa's oppressive apartheid regime. Choose a Fugard play written before 1990, during the apartheid era, such as Master Harold … and the Boys or My Children! My Africa! Compare how Fugard's work from this period differs from Valley Song, which was created for the post-apartheid “new” South Africa. In what ways are these two plays alike? Consider elements such as the setting, characters, and central themes of each play.
- In literature, a symbol is an object or element that signifies something beyond its literal meaning, often conveying deeper significance. For instance, in Nathaniel Hawthorne's renowned novel The Scarlet Letter, the red letter “A” worn by Hester Prynne symbolizes not only her alleged sin of adultery but also her community's prejudice and her own brave defiance. Like many playwrights who explore significant ideas, Fugard uses numerous symbols in his work to provide audiences with deeper insights. In Valley Song, one of the key symbols is the land in the Sneeuberg Mountain valley, where Abraam and Veronica Jonkers reside and where The Author has chosen to spend his later years. Investigate how different characters perceive the land and explain its symbolic importance in the play.
- The term “apartheid” means “separateness” in Afrikaans, the language spoken in South Africa. This system was employed as a social and political strategy by the ruling National Party from 1948 to 1994 to segregate racial groups and enforce distinct treatment for each. Research the impact of apartheid on the lives of black, white, “Coloured,” and Asian South Africans. How might this system have influenced Abraam Jonkers' circumstances as a rural Coloured man? What advantages might The Author have had as an urban white man? What obstacles is Veronica likely to encounter in Johannesburg as a young black girl, even though apartheid has officially been dismantled?
- Dreams play a significant role for each character in Valley Song. What aspirations do the characters hold? How does each character strive to fulfill their dreams? Assess the likelihood of each character's dream becoming a reality.
- Consider how age and youth are significant in Valley Song. Reflect on aspects such as the differing perspectives of young and old characters, the relevance of the past to the play's events, and how the progression of time is influencing racial politics in South Africa.
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