The Human Condition That Baraka Speaks To Is How People Try

The Human Condition That Baraka Speaks To Is How People Try To Conform

The human condition that Baraka speaks to is how people try to conform to society in order to not stand out. In Dutchman, we constantly see this through Clay. He never once speaks up against Lulu no matter what she says to him. It isn't until the very end of the play that he speaks up and says what's on his mind. But when he does, Lulu pretty much takes offense to what he is saying and kills him.

I believe this is what many people go through in real life. They stay quiet in order to not cause trouble, but when they do find the courage to speak up when they've had enough...they get punished for it. The symbol of the Dutchman and the train provides for better storytelling because it almost modernizes the slave ship. It is basically telling us that things around us may have drastically changed since those times but the human mindset has not. We see the human condition in a better way from Dutchman through the eyes of African Americans.

We see that even when being provoked, society does not allow them to speak up for themselves. We see this when Clay bites his tongue at times when Lulu calls him racial slurs. Everyone on the train towards the end saw how crazy Lulu was acting and didn't do anything to help Clay but the second Clay stood up for himself everyone had judging expressions and even helped Lulu by throwing him off the train after she killed him. I feel that "legitimate emotional resources of the soul" are those emotional experiences that we use as a point of reference. What I mean by that is we go through certain emotional experiences and learn from them and become stronger from them emotionally.

They become more emotionally stable because when something may happen they will think "this situation isn't nearly as bad as the other one". I think when Baraka says this, he means that people have certain things that will make them emotionally unstable no matter how strong they may be. There will always be certain situations that bring back past experiences to mind. I completely agree with the statement. Everyone, no matter how strong they try to be, will come across experiences that remind them of emotional ones they have in the past.

It will bring up strong emotions that will cause them to become emotional. That is probably what happened to Clay in Dutchman. He was able to handle everything Lulu was saying to him, but maybe she just said the wrong thing that sparked an emotion in him that caused him to act out.

Paper For Above instruction

Conformity has long been a significant aspect of the human condition, often serving as a means for individuals to integrate into society and avoid conflict or ostracism. The work of Imamu Amiri Baraka (formerly LeRoi Jones) extensively explores this theme, illustrating how societal pressures compel individuals to suppress their authentic voices to maintain the status quo. This paper examines Baraka’s insights into the human tendency to conform, particularly through the lens of Lorraine Hansberry’s play Dutchman and the symbolism of the train, delving into how conformity manifests, its psychological impacts, and implications for societal progress.

Introduction

The desire to conform is deeply ingrained in human psychology, rooted in the need for safety, acceptance, and belonging. Baraka’s critique of societal conformity highlights the tragic consequences of suppressing individuality. In Dutchman, Clay’s silence and eventual capitulation epitomize the way societal pressures silence marginalized voices, especially those of African Americans. This essay explores conformity’s role in shaping human behavior, its manifestation in art and literature, and its broader societal implications.

Conformity as a Human Condition

Conformity is an adaptive behavior, enabling individuals to navigate complex social environments effectively. However, it often comes at the expense of personal integrity and authenticity. Baraka’s works emphasize that societal norms can be oppressive, especially when they marginalize certain groups. In Dutchman, Clay’s continual silence in the face of Lulu’s racial slurs symbolizes the internal conflict experienced by marginalized individuals who choose conformity over confrontation. Such silence, although seemingly safe, breeds internal turmoil and reinforces oppressive societal structures.

Research supports that conformity can cause psychological stress, leading to long-term negative effects such as diminished self-esteem and increased anxiety (Asch, 1951; Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004). When individuals suppress dissent to maintain social harmony, they may experience cognitive dissonance, which can manifest as emotional distress (Festinger, 1957). Baraka’s portrayal underscores that societal pressures to conform often perpetuate systemic injustices, trapping individuals in cycles of silence and submission.

The Symbolism of the Train and the Dutchman

The train, as depicted in Dutchman, serves as a powerful metaphor for the historical and ongoing journey of African Americans through systemic oppression. The train symbolizes the slave ships of the past, emphasizing the dehumanization and forced conformity imposed upon enslaved Africans. In the play, the enclosed space of the train allows the racial tensions to surface vividly, illustrating how societal conformity maintains racial hierarchies.

Baraka’s invocation of the train’s imagery modernizes the historical slave ship, suggesting that the mechanisms of oppression persist in contemporary society. The passengers’ passive reactions, especially when Clay chooses silence despite provocation, reflect societal complicity in maintaining injustices by ignoring or tolerating racial abuse. The train thus embodies the collective conformity that sustains oppressive structures across generations.

The Psychological Impact of Conformity

Conformity often leads to emotional suppression, which can breed feelings of helplessness and internal conflict. Clay’s internal struggle and eventual act of speaking out mark a critical moment of emotional awakening that, however, results in his tragic death. This reflects how societal expectations discourage individual expression, especially among marginalized groups, with consequences that are both emotional and physical.

Baraka’s assertion that “legitimate emotional resources of the soul” provide resilience highlights the importance of acknowledging and processing emotional experiences. These resources serve as vital anchors in confronting societal conformity, allowing individuals to develop emotional strength and resistance (Taylor, 2018). Yet, as Clay’s fate reveals, societal pressures often hinder access to these resources, trapping individuals in cycles of silence and oppression.

Conformity, Emotions, and Societal Change

Emotional resilience is crucial for challenging conformity. Experiencing, understanding, and learning from emotional responses can empower individuals to resist societal pressures and advocate for change. Baraka’s work underscores that deeply rooted emotional resources, when cultivated, can serve as catalysts for societal transformation.

However, conformity continues to suppress authentic voices, especially within racial and social contexts. The reaction of the train passengers to Clay’s act of defiance underscores the societal tendency to judge or ostracize those who challenge conformity. Only after Clay’s death do the others recognize the injustice, illustrating the danger of passive conformity and the necessity of active resistance.

Conclusion

Baraka’s exploration of human conformity reveals its profound impact on individual and societal levels. Through Dutchman and the symbolism of the train, he exposes how societal pressures silence dissent and perpetuate injustice. Understanding the psychological and emotional underpinnings of conformity is vital for fostering societal change. Cultivating emotional resilience and encouraging authentic expression are essential steps towards dismantling oppressive structures and promoting social justice.

In sum, Baraka’s critique remains relevant in contemporary society, urging individuals and communities to resist conformity’s destructive tendencies and to champion the authentic voice of marginalized populations.

References

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