Sweat

by

Lynn Nottage

Howard Character Analysis

In 2000, Howard is the manager of the bar in Reading, Pennsylvania, where most of the play takes place. He oversees Stan, the bartender, and Oscar, the busboy. In 2008, when Chris and Jason return to the bar after they’re released from prison, they find that Howard has retired to Phoenix, Arizona, and that Oscar has taken over the bar as manager.
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Howard Character Timeline in Sweat

The timeline below shows where the character Howard appears in Sweat. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 1, Scene 2
Working-Class Disillusionment Theme Icon
Relationships, Status, and Resentment Theme Icon
...and the song ends, after which Stan asks who’s taking Jessie home. Tracey replies that Howard usually just closes up and leaves Jessie in the bar, yet somehow Jessie always makes... (full context)
Act 2, Scene 5
Working-Class Disillusionment Theme Icon
Economic Strain and Race Relations Theme Icon
Stan offers to ask Howard about giving Oscar a raise, but Oscar tells him that Olstead’s is paying $11 per... (full context)
Working-Class Disillusionment Theme Icon
...job. She tells Stan to put the drink on her tab, but Stan says he can’t—Howard is only allowing cash or credit since so many people have been unable to pay... (full context)
Act 2, Scene 8
Working-Class Disillusionment Theme Icon
Economic Strain and Race Relations Theme Icon
Shame, Regret, and Forgiveness Theme Icon
...new crowd—the customers have been mostly college kids since Olstead’s closed. He tells Chris that Howard retired to Phoenix—Oscar is the manager and weekend bartender now, which impresses Chris. (full context)