Research Article

The Paradoxical Characterization in Dutchman: Reflection of Baraka’s Ambivalent Stance in the 1960s

Authors

  • Lingjun Zhu Postgraduate Student of College of Foreign Studies, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China

Abstract

Dutchman was read by many critics as Amiri Baraka’s nationalist manifesto advocating black unity to violently fight against white dominance. In fact, Amiri Baraka’s thoughts of nationalism in this period were not so fixed but rather paradoxical. Due to personal growth and social background, Baraka devotes himself to black nationalism as a means of solving his alienation from blacks. However, the revolutionary part of black nationalism blinds him of its shortcoming: exclusiveness, which runs counter to Baraka’s social concern. What Baraka is concerned about is the African Americans and the whole Americans who suffer oppression. His uncertain stance reflects itself in the artistic creation of Clay and Lula. Clay and Lula are not simply angry black nationalists and white racists. When Clay suffers from racial bullying, his defiance shows the revolutionary side of nationalism. Paradoxically, he is also an obedient middle class assimilated by white culture. Lula is both a racist and a member of the lower class, which reflects Baraka’s Marxism influence.

Article information

Journal

International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation

Volume (Issue)

5 (3)

Pages

80-85

Published

2022-03-08

How to Cite

Zhu , L. (2022). The Paradoxical Characterization in Dutchman: Reflection of Baraka’s Ambivalent Stance in the 1960s. International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation, 5(3), 80–85. https://doi.org/10.32996/ijllt.2022.5.3.10

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Keywords:

Amiri Baraka, Dutchman, black nationalism, political stance