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24 pages 48 minutes read

Dutchman

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1964

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Book Brief

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Amiri Baraka

Dutchman

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1964
Book Details
Pages

38

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 1960s

Publication Year

1964

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Dutchman by Amiri Baraka portrays a charged interaction between Clay, a young African-American man, and Lula, a white woman, on a New York City subway. Their conversation shifts from flirtatious to confrontational, revealing deep racial tensions and ultimately leading to a violent climax. The play reflects themes of racism, racial oppression, and black male identity, likening Lula to Eve through her offering of an apple and referencing the Flying Dutchman legend. This play includes scenes of racial violence and emotional abuse.

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Unnerving

Dark

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.1

3,108 ratings

64%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Dutchman by Amiri Baraka is acclaimed for its raw, powerful exploration of racial tensions and oppressive societal norms. Critics praise its intense, provocative dialogue and the strong performances it elicits on stage. However, some find its confrontational style polarizing and the narrative's abrupt ending unsatisfying. This play remains a compelling, contentious piece in American theater.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Dutchman?

A reader who would enjoy Dutchman by Amiri Baraka is likely drawn to provocative, socially charged narratives that explore racial tensions and identity. Comparable to Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man and Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, this reader appreciates incisive dialogue and powerful, confrontational themes.

4.1

3,108 ratings

64%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

38

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 1960s

Publication Year

1964

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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