Dutchman

Another major racial theme in the text is black male identity; as Lula tells Clay, the focus of their conversation is Clay’s “manhood” (25). The play is focused on the difference between Clay’s educated, so-called “white” persona and the traditional black male stereotypes that Lula tells Clay he should conform to instead, suggesting that African-American men should not aspire to white norms. Lula says Clay is “so full of white man’s words” (31) and criticizes his suit and tie, suggesting that African-American men should not adopt white traditions, even clothing.

Clay rebuts this idea in his long speech, claiming that his “white” persona is a mask for the rage and “black heart” that lies underneath. Clay tells Lula to “let me be who I feel like being” (34) and that “you don’t know anything except what’s there for you to see” (34). “I sit here, in this buttoned-up suit, to keep myself from cutting all your throats,” Clay says (34).

Beyond race, Dutchman focuses heavily on sex and seduction, as Lula repeatedly alludes to sex and touches Clay on the thigh, as a way to seduce him and ultimately spur his demise. Lula is portrayed as a sexualized “Eve,” a temptress who uses her feminine wiles—and an apple—to lure Clay, only to turn on him by attacking his racial identity, provoking him and then killing him.