Johnnie as a defeated man
In society, people who find themselves in destitute situations are often
classified as defeated. Johnnie, the main protagonist in Athol Fugard’s Hello
and Goodbye, is such a person. However, it is not easy to classify him without
considering his unique circumstances and choices. This essay will consider
whether he is defeated because he does not add value to society, or rather,
whether he is a tragic hero in the circumstances. In order to answer these
questions, an examination will be performed on his roles in society, within his
family relationships and the circumstances that led to his present situation.
Someone is deemed to be defeated if they do not have a career, have no
aspirations to develop a career or seek any type of work and, therefore, have
added no value to their lives, their families or to society. On a straight
interpretation of Johnnie in his current state, it can be concluded that he is a
defeated man according to these criteria. Johnnie has never pursued a career
to date. He once dreamed of becoming an engine driver and at one stage even
enrolled as a learner stoker, but then decided to return home. “All those
years… engine driver.” (Page 21-22) He is currently at home and has no
interest in pursuing any form of work. “Get a job, a girl, have some good
times… You won’t come.” (Page 63) Lastly, he does not add value to society. He
has stayed at home, looked after his father over the past few years and hasn’t
had any interaction with the outside world. Now that his father has died, he
has chosen to remain at home and emulate his father. “Then take them. Be
cripple! ...Flesh of his flesh.” (Page 57)
Someone is deemed a hero if they sacrifice their own agendas in the interest of
others. According to this, Johnnie can be classified as a tragic hero. The reason
he did not follow his dream, pursue work or add value to society was because
he felt guilty his father was alone. “I got as far as the bridge… only him, back
there… He helped me unpack”. (Page 56) Johnnie felt it was his duty, ordained
by God to take care of his father, perform domestic duties and provide medical
treatment supervision to his father. “He’s not to blame… What I wanted.”
(Page 56) He could not pursue any work while his father was alive as he had to
cater for him and wait on him on a twenty-four hour basis. “No! you take the
bed... on and on…”.(Page 17). The reason why Johnnie was isolated from the
Nevarr Pillay Page 1
In society, people who find themselves in destitute situations are often
classified as defeated. Johnnie, the main protagonist in Athol Fugard’s Hello
and Goodbye, is such a person. However, it is not easy to classify him without
considering his unique circumstances and choices. This essay will consider
whether he is defeated because he does not add value to society, or rather,
whether he is a tragic hero in the circumstances. In order to answer these
questions, an examination will be performed on his roles in society, within his
family relationships and the circumstances that led to his present situation.
Someone is deemed to be defeated if they do not have a career, have no
aspirations to develop a career or seek any type of work and, therefore, have
added no value to their lives, their families or to society. On a straight
interpretation of Johnnie in his current state, it can be concluded that he is a
defeated man according to these criteria. Johnnie has never pursued a career
to date. He once dreamed of becoming an engine driver and at one stage even
enrolled as a learner stoker, but then decided to return home. “All those
years… engine driver.” (Page 21-22) He is currently at home and has no
interest in pursuing any form of work. “Get a job, a girl, have some good
times… You won’t come.” (Page 63) Lastly, he does not add value to society. He
has stayed at home, looked after his father over the past few years and hasn’t
had any interaction with the outside world. Now that his father has died, he
has chosen to remain at home and emulate his father. “Then take them. Be
cripple! ...Flesh of his flesh.” (Page 57)
Someone is deemed a hero if they sacrifice their own agendas in the interest of
others. According to this, Johnnie can be classified as a tragic hero. The reason
he did not follow his dream, pursue work or add value to society was because
he felt guilty his father was alone. “I got as far as the bridge… only him, back
there… He helped me unpack”. (Page 56) Johnnie felt it was his duty, ordained
by God to take care of his father, perform domestic duties and provide medical
treatment supervision to his father. “He’s not to blame… What I wanted.”
(Page 56) He could not pursue any work while his father was alive as he had to
cater for him and wait on him on a twenty-four hour basis. “No! you take the
bed... on and on…”.(Page 17). The reason why Johnnie was isolated from the
Nevarr Pillay Page 1
