Devil in a Blue Dress | Themes & Symbolism

Devil in a Blue Dress Significant Topics

Pride of Ownership

Easy sees his house, small though it is, as the most important part of his life. Easy has worked hard to afford his house. It has productive trees and flowers, which represent his connection to the land as well as his potential for economic growth. Ironically, Easy sells himself to Albright in order to make the mortgage payment on his home.

It becomes clear to Easy that Albright feels he owns him when Easy comes home to find Albright in his house, sitting on Easy's furniture and drinking Easy's coffee. Easy's property has become Albright's in the white man's mind. Easy tells Albright that he has no excuse for breaking into his home, and he asks Albright what he would do if Easy broke into his home. Albright answers, "I'd tear your nigger head out by its root."

This feeling of ownership enables Albright to arrange a meeting in Santa...
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