Just as both genders would find themselves with different perceptions about things, so would be the case for members of differing nationalities. The flirty level of dialogue exchanged between both characters, as the train was moving along, would be an example of engaging in an intimate relationship with one another, without the inclusion of the physical aspects, or at least in the beginning. The characters are introduced by means of their presence aboard a cable car and the action taken by Lula of sitting down next to Clay.

The decision of where they stood in their own cultures and also, where they stood in terms of their ability to be involved with one another in terms of being romantically involved.In the ‘Dutchman’, the play begins with the introduction between Clay and Lula.Ĭlay is an African American man, while Lula is a Caucasian woman. This period of time in the 20th century, would serve as a deciding point for many in the nation as a whole. In Leroi Jones’ ‘Dutchman’ & ‘The Slave’, he would seek to illustrate the intricacies of the relationships that inter-racial couples seek to have. The introduction of such debate into the national debate would create greater commentary on the part of both sides of the racial landscape. The Vietnam War would be in full swing and the introduction of the civil rights act, would allow for the opportunity for individuals of African American descent, to have the opportunity to experience things that their ancestors would not have been able to do before them, such as vote. As both plays are told within the time frame of the 1960s, the mentioning of such relationships would prove essential in terms of achieving a greater understanding about the era of that time.

Dutchman by leroi jones