Lula and the myth of the Flying Dutchman: The play written by Amiri Baraka
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document in English
social sciences
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published 01/08/2008
review : Completed
level : Advanced
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SummaryAmiri Baraka’s play, Dutchman, is a deeply powerful one act which reflects the racial and societal tensions of the 1960’s in the setting of a moving subway car. The interaction between the two main characters, Lula a sinister, white woman and Clay an African American intellectual, illustrates the overarching oppression of white, patriarchal society. Lula is a characterization of misconceptions, racism and an unwillingness to accept the black community as truly equal. Her only attempts to relate to Clay intimately are centered on conversations concerning his “manhood” and his supposed attraction to her which she continually inflates. She assumes the worst of Clay and does so in a way that is insulting and bigoted especially with concern to him being any sort of a financially or intellectually successful figure. She refuses to grant him praise and berates all signs his success, as it symbolizes African American progress – something which she finds humorous and unrealistic. The brief dialogue between Clay and Lula signifies white oppression of African Americans at large and the pent up anger, hatred, and insanity as a result of such subjugation. Clay’s diatribe in the end of the play shows his unwillingness to surrender quietly to Lula’s jaded notions of white superiority.
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