Dutchman

The most obvious theme in Dutchman is racism against African-Americans, as Lula repeatedly taunts Clay about his race and refers to him using derogatory terms. Clay’s speech describes the racial oppression he faces as an African-American man, which he holds responsible for the rage he and others feel. “A whole people full of neurotics, struggling to keep from being sane,” he says (35). The system of racial oppression and racism is further emphasized through Clay’s murder, which the rest of the passengers on the train car become complicit in and readily go along with, willingly throwing his body off the train.

Beyond racism against African-Americans, the text also suggests other forms of bigotry. Lula refers to “mak[ing] fun of the queers” (23), and the characters also make several comments that could be perceived as anti-Semitic, such as when Clay tells Lula, “You must be Jewish. All you can think about is wire” (29).

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.