The current state of this nation is quite turbulent, there is constant conflict between blacks and whites. It is a situation that is quite complex and unpleasant and to capture this America’s state that we are facing and depict it in a one-act play is nothing short of amazing. Leroi Jones in his play Dutchman set in the 1960s, is able to carefully craft a situation that at first might seem mundane, and fill it with deeper meaning. He utilized his characters, Clay and Lula, to represent both black and white America. Throughout this play we see both characters interact and have conversation. A conversation that as it transpires, one can see the depth behind both these characters and what they represent. Through the protests of the Civil Rights
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For a group of individuals to be oppressed, there needs to be an oppressor. In African-American’s case the oppressor were white Americans. They were considered property as slaves and it was not until Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 that they were considered free, even though they were considered free they were viewed as lesser to white society. This train of thought is not one that just vanishes over a single day, a month, a year, or even a decade. Many white people harbor ill thoughts and believe that are above black individuals. This appears to be the case for Lula. As soon as she is introduced we can that she is living a life of luxury, she is upfront and and does not shy away from flirting with a man she just met on the subway. She first appeared to be friendly when we are introduced to her, although as the play progress one is able to see her ill nature and sense of entitlement. She seems to believe that she knows just about anything about black people. “I told you I didn 't know anything about you ... you 're a well‐known type”(4). “Seen one, seen them all”, appears to be how Lula approaches her interactions with Clay. Clay seemed to to believe that she might be genuinely interested in him, whereas she seemed more interested in something else. She seems to want to elicit a reaction out of him. She attempts to pick apart at his calm demeanor, and wants to see him break out his …show more content…
While Lula wishes to provoke what she believes to be an animal that she can tame, Clay on the other hand wishes to be her equal. His professional style clothing and his college education, are his method to assimilate himself, even though he tries to fit in it further pushes him away from those he wishes to assimilate with. “A three‐button suit. What right do you have to be wearing a three‐button suit and striped tie? Your grandfather was a slave, he didn 't go to Harvard.”(18). He does not want to be viewed as an inferior being, yet Lula mocks him for even attempting to stand next to white person in social status. The past is still very much affecting the present in Lula’s mind. A common trait that Lula exhibits, is her constant eating of apples, and offering them to Clay. Just like Eve tempts Adam with apples from the sacred tree, Lula attempts to seduce Clay with her own apples. Just as white America attempts to seduce black America and forsaken them to a life of void of true
For a group of individuals to be oppressed, there needs to be an oppressor. In African-American’s case the oppressor were white Americans. They were considered property as slaves and it was not until Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 that they were considered free, even though they were considered free they were viewed as lesser to white society. This train of thought is not one that just vanishes over a single day, a month, a year, or even a decade. Many white people harbor ill thoughts and believe that are above black individuals. This appears to be the case for Lula. As soon as she is introduced we can that she is living a life of luxury, she is upfront and and does not shy away from flirting with a man she just met on the subway. She first appeared to be friendly when we are introduced to her, although as the play progress one is able to see her ill nature and sense of entitlement. She seems to believe that she knows just about anything about black people. “I told you I didn 't know anything about you ... you 're a well‐known type”(4). “Seen one, seen them all”, appears to be how Lula approaches her interactions with Clay. Clay seemed to to believe that she might be genuinely interested in him, whereas she seemed more interested in something else. She seems to want to elicit a reaction out of him. She attempts to pick apart at his calm demeanor, and wants to see him break out his …show more content…
While Lula wishes to provoke what she believes to be an animal that she can tame, Clay on the other hand wishes to be her equal. His professional style clothing and his college education, are his method to assimilate himself, even though he tries to fit in it further pushes him away from those he wishes to assimilate with. “A three‐button suit. What right do you have to be wearing a three‐button suit and striped tie? Your grandfather was a slave, he didn 't go to Harvard.”(18). He does not want to be viewed as an inferior being, yet Lula mocks him for even attempting to stand next to white person in social status. The past is still very much affecting the present in Lula’s mind. A common trait that Lula exhibits, is her constant eating of apples, and offering them to Clay. Just like Eve tempts Adam with apples from the sacred tree, Lula attempts to seduce Clay with her own apples. Just as white America attempts to seduce black America and forsaken them to a life of void of true