Chapter One

A Psychological Analysis of Walter Mosley’s

Devil in A Blue Dress
“Being a Negro in this world is like walking a tightrope.”

- Walter Mosley’s Devil in a Blue Dress

1.A Portal into Devil in a Blue Dress

Walter Mosley introduced his Noir-fiction novel set in (1948) Los Angeles, featuring Easy
Rawlins, an African American war veteran. Mosely addresses social divisions between races,
classes and genders through Easy's struggle in a white-dominated capitalist society. Easy’s life
in the post-war American society is continuously torn between diverse worlds, uncertainty and
confusion within his own self as he establishes himself as a private detective. Further, the novel
follows other Black characters struggling to embrace their Blackness while battling inner
feelings of self-hate and internalized racism. Throughout the novel, Easy enters the story as
someone valuing his possessions and having dreams of a regular American. However, he faces
racial injustices, mysteries, and various challenges that test his resilience. Despite his best
efforts, he is unable to overcome these hurdles. Through this, he repeatedly feels frustrated and
disillusioned by forces beyond his control.
Easy Rawlins found himself living in a tough world as a Black man in Los Angeles.
During that time. His curiosity pushed him forward and it became his main motivation. When a
case involving a missing woman and a tempting reward came his way, Easy was drawn not just
by the money, but by the opportunity to uncover the truth and perhaps achieve justice. Being a
Black man in a predominantly white world had already revealed harsh realities to him, but this
case felt different it offered a chance to be heard, even if it meant facing danger. In a society
where Black voices were often ignored. His story serves as a symbol of Black resilience,
reflecting the post-war era's societal transformation and the evolving perception of Black
identity. His representation demonstrates how African Americans persist through challenges with
unwavering determination and resilience.
Moreover,Mosley's novel is best recognized for its portrayal of noirish plot twists, vivid
characters, and exploration of race, class, and corruption. It offers a way for Black individuals to
find recognition and representation in a predominantly white society. Mosley also highlights
the internal struggles faced by Black people in a society that marginalized them, revealing the
unfairness of the time period through the protagonist's experiences. Additionally, Mosley's
narrative explores the emergence of black consciousness, examining how individuals operate in
their surroundings and to what extent they have been influenced by the values of the
predominantly white society. The characters face a collision of multiple identities and inner
struggles of self-doubt.

2. Double consciousness as a concept

Within an American context, black people are forced to see themselves through the eyes
of Other’s perspectives while maintaining their own self definitions. This, duality introduced by
William Edward Burghardt Du Bois in the Souls of Black Folk (1903), takes two opposing
standpoints experienced by African Americans. due to this two-ness which is a destructive
example of internalized oppression, African Americans feel alienated from their social selves,
deeply affected by societal constructions surrounding race. Moreover, one way to understand
why some black characters in classic American literatures often see themselves and why they are
seen by the white population as inferior or sub-human through Du Bois’s theory of double
consciousness.African Americans were represented as caricatures that suggested feeble-
mindedness or immaturity. This is evident in the following passage from Du Bois’s book:
it has been... hammered home to them that they are a race of waiters on Providence; of
'mules' capable of no self-development; without the initiative that makes men's careers
their own”.
Consequently, this quote highlights. The notion that African Americans were not fully formed
human beings, but rather subhuman beings who had not yet reached adulthood. The way that
African Americans are portrayed here reflects how the majority of Americans saw them.

2.1 W.E.B. Du Bois’s “Souls of Black Folk” and the Veil in Devil in a Blue Dress

In "The Souls of Black Folk," Du Bois calls the idea of double consciousness. He

demonstrated this situation with African Americans as a feeling of looking at themselves from

the perspective of their existence. He uses the term 'The Veil' to symbolize the social and

economic divide between black Americans and the broader society. "The veil" is a metaphysical

consciousness of racial difference and its effect. He says were it not for racial discrimination,

problems between blacks and whites would be problems of human beings who must identify and

resolve them in order to progress. With the veil, however, they become problems of black

people. DuBois' double-consciousness is the awareness of the veil and is defined as follows:

"It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at

one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that
looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his two-ness—an American, a
Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one
dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.

This double consciousness is the idea that black Americans always view themselves from the
viewpoint of others and measure their own worth by how others view them. And this notion of
feeling tornbetween two identities is mirrored in Walter Mosley's "Devil in a Blue Dress"
through theprotagonist of Easy Rawlins. he, lives in a predominantly white neighborhood and
can be seen with the Veil. For example, after Coretta's visit to Easy's home, Easy tells himself,
"It was like letting a wolf into a henhouse while you slept. But I couldn't tell if she was the wolf
or the hen" (Mosley, 82). Easy is torn between these two thoughts because he is the only black
person in the neighborhood, and by letting Coretta into his home, he was straddling the line of
his status in this community. Coretta would be seen as a burden to the community, and he would
be seen as a criminal for getting involved with a white girl.
Moreover, the concept of the veil extends beyond the experiences of black characters.
As we've seen with Easy Rawlins, the veil can be identified as present in Daphne Monet's case
due to the nature of her situation. Daphne Monet is a white woman but chooses to continuously
inject herself into the 'black community'. In doing this, she metaphorically transitions from the
white side of the veil to the black side of the veil. This act disrupts the racial boundaries, and like
Easy navigating a white neighborhood, she becomes vulnerable to the prejudices on the other
side. The veil, therefore, creates a sense of insecurity and danger for anyone who dares to cross
its invisible lines. This is further evidenced by Daphne Monet's reliance on Easy to find her,
highlighting the precarious position someone finds themselves in when they transgress racial
boundaries.
Furthermore, the concept of the veil in "Devil in a Blue Dress" shows how racial tension
was everywhere in Los Angeles during the 1940s. Easy Rawlins and Daphne Monet, who are
from different races, both face difficulties because of prejudice. This reflects a key theme in Du
Bios’ work: the struggle to find yourself when the world sees you only through the color of your
skin. Easy and Daphne, caught on opposite sides of the veil, try to understand their own
identities and how to navigate this divided world. This struggle for identity goes beyond race.
Easy, who is new to Los Angeles, also deals with his own past and his role in this new city.
Daphne, who seems to have a perfect life but feels trapped, wants a more fulfilling life that isn't
limited by society's expectations. Their unexpected partnership becomes a chance for them to
pierce the veil, not just for each other, but for themselves too.
3. Characters living with Double Consciousness in devil in a blue dress
Devil in a Blue Dress wide range of character reactions that illustrate their true selves.
Throughout the novel, characters frequently show ignorance and mysteriousness at different
Times in the text. these characters are shaped by various facets of race as a social construct
and varied stages of racism that are obvious in the individual’s identity. According to Frantz
Fanon’s book White Masks, Black Skin (1952), the philosophy of the internalization of the white
man's superior status and the black man's inferior status has been illustrated in novels by many
black authors, where he includes psychoanalysis of racism and the effects on the minority it
oppresses. Heexplores his own feelings of inadequacy being a black man in a white world. He
feels that no matter what a black person does, they will always be held back, branded as lesser,
and be compared to the now superior white culture. This is reflected in “Devil in a Blue Dress"
with the character of Easy Rawlins. Rawlins lives in a black neighborhood in Watts with his
small community of black people. He shares the optimism of them for a better life now they are
free from slavery but in the white-run society still knows it will be a difficult journey. This is
shown as Easy becomes a detective to earn money and move to a better neighborhood known as
a white neighborhood. This reflects Fanon’s ambition to integrate into a white culture with the
thought he could escape his oppressions and those of his ancestors. Additionally, let us examine
a quote from Fanon’s perspective, “The Negro wishes to be white”. He will spend his life trying
to imitate the white man; his myths of success and his art of escape will be those of the white
man.” Easy’s separation from his own culture is a perfect example of the Black man trying to
imitate the white man in an attempt to move up in the world. His journey leads him to meet with
much opposition and some may argue that Easy eventually becomes a metaphor for the African
American who is still being held in a subordinate position regarding his attempts to improve his
social status. also, Fanon contended that the bid of the black man to identify with the white world
is an acceptance of inferior status for which he is not prepared. Through the novel, and according
to Fanon’s beliefs, Mosley creates two different worlds for His two main characters. These
worlds represent life as a person of color and life as a white person. Easy Rawlins, having grown
up in Houston and fled to Los Angeles after killing a man in self-defense, is a man of traditional
African American culture. He is poor and uneducated and has had a hard life. When the book
begins, Easy is given an opportunity to leave this world and transition into the world of the white
culture. He is offered money to solve a crime that involves a missing white woman. In accepting
the job, Easy believes that he can move back to the time when he worked in the defense plants, a
time when he made good money and began to live the American dream. Easy is going to do
whatever it takes to get back to that world, and he sees finding Daphne Monet as perfect chance
to do this. Furthermore, another example of Fanon's concept is visible in the character of Mouse.
He is the perfect example of a black man who tries and fails to fit into the white man's role while
Fanonuses the term "wannabe" (Fanonpg. 125), and this is the exact explanation of Mouse's
Character.This is visible in the scene when Easy first meets up with Mouse. Mouse arrives in a
"silver and royal blue two-ton Oldsmobile 88" (Devil in a Blue Dress, pg. 75) which he has
stolen. Evidently, he is trying to prove something with his possession of this expensive
looking car but fails to achieve this success using accepted legal means. Fanon's concept that
the black man is fated to failure in attempts to gain high status is evident when we find out
later that in the heat of passion of an argument with a white man Mouse kills the man and is
subsequently killed himself. This failure of achieving success is a major cause of the identity
crisis that Fanon has described throughout his writing and it is no surprise that Mouse's
character is the most unstable in respects to sense of identity.
Lastly, In the chapter "White Masks Black Skin" from Franz Fanon's book "White
Masks", he attempts to convey the idea that the concept of racism causes an inherent identity
crisis for the black race. He states that, "The Negro is a toy in the white man's hand" (Fanon
pg.112). He is subjected to the negativities that the white man forces upon him. Fanon goes on
to say that the black man wants to be like the white man. He wants to achieve this using any
means necessary. The concept of the white is seen as "specter of omnipotence"(Fanon pg.122)
he is an unavoidable force that provides a sense of the requirements to achieve
success. This idea is evident in the relationship between Easy and Terrell. In the bar "Ace's
Dew Drop Inn" there is a scene in which they are talking about a case that Easy is
investigating. Terrell informs Easy that he should not get into the middle of the case because
it is too dangerous. Easy replies by saying "I don't like that Joppy. I don't like him coming to
my building telling me what colored man don't want to see" (Devil in a Blue Dress pg.39).
Easy is trying to act as a catalyst for the change of racial requirements of power and success.
He feels that in order for himself as a black man to achieve a higher status he must do the
same things that a white man in his position would do. He wants to steer the community's
values away from the proverbial "toy" that Fanon has described. Later, when the conversation
between Easy and Terrell continues, Easy states "Well if it's too tough for me it's too tough
for you" (Devil in a Blue Dress pg. 40). This is Easy putting himself and his friend Terrell on
equal terms with the white man. The idea that success has more risk is a very common pawn
that the black man uses to try and achieve the white man's position. Fanon says that the black
man feels he can obtain the status of the white man.
1. Easy Rawlins ‘Duality

Devil in the Blue Dress describes Easy as a man who is always trying to make something

of himself, which proves to be quite difficult for someone of his status during the 1940s. "There's

some young colored fella out there trying to make a couple of dollars, well I won't take it from

him." (Devil in Blue Dress pg.45) This quote says a lot about Easy's struggle with double

consciousness. Since almost all of the white characters in the novel are comfortable with the

ideology of racial segregation, racial prejudice was rampant during the time. This hindered Easy

Rawlins in countless situations and served to constantly remind him that his worth as a man was

not always based on his skills or character. An example of this was when he had to agree to Mr.

Albright's terms for finding Daphne Monet because he knew that the man would only trust a

black man to do a simple job for very little money. He accepted because he felt the money was

still good and it would be an easy way to make a quick buck, but it was a bittersweet acceptance

because it served to remind him of the state of his race during that period. He also deals with the
duplicity of Mr. Albright and Teran, who offer him very little in relation to what they make him

do, but he decides to use them when he realizes that it is the only way for an African American

man, to reach upwards in society.

Furthermore, Easy has always lived in a white man's world. He has taken on white

employment and was used to the idea of only whites owning property. He was used to being on

the low end of things. He says, "I didn't have to go to school to learn that the good jobs were for

white folks. (Devil in a Blue Dress pg.31)" So, when he comes across Daphne Monet and is

offered money just to find her, he feels that he is not good enough. He feels that there is no

reason that a white woman would come to a black man except for sex, so he doesn't feel worthy

of the case. This is a good example of double consciousness. Easy doesn't feel worthy as an

African American man living in a white world to take the job, not only because of its difficulty

but because he doesn't feel right taking money from a white woman. He also had a fear of

protection. In the beginning of the story, after being jumped by some henchmen and warned,

Easy is set on leaving the case alone. He knows that finding out the true story of what happened

to her would be dangerous, yet when he gets home, he finds his house has been burnt down. A

friend offers him protection, but his mind can't stop thinking of his own safety. He says, "But I

had to think about whether a white man can be a friend to a black man, in America.Rawlins' life

is a constant struggle with racial identity and double consciousness. He describes "a part of town

where I could walk down the street without having to step off the curb to let a white man pass"

(Devil in the Blue Dress pg. 109). This quote poignantly suggests that Rawlins feels much of the

time that he is marginalized in mainstream American society. He feels that his only opportunities

for mobility and achievement must be through interactions and deals with white Americans. He

feels that in most cases, he will have to adopt the norms and values of white society in order to
achieve his goals.

Moreover, The societal expectations that African Americans in the United States

experience during the 1940s make it difficult for an individual to develop a sense of

self and to sort out who they "really" are as opposed to who they are perceived to be. Easy

Rawlins is forced to assume a role that dictates how he is seen by others in the white community.

The role that he feels forced to take on is one that epitomizes the "Negro" stereotype. Rawlins

realizes that in order to receive economic gain or to be seen in a respectable manner by the white

community (in general) is to act in a way that is passive and that is nonthreatening to the

established order of whites.

For instance,in Chapter 10 we see this "Negro" stereotype where Easy encounters two

policemen, inquiring about Daphne Monet. The policemen had no right to take him in, yet to

avoid trouble Easy plays it smooth so that no one gets hurt. He gets taken into the police station

and they try to get some information out of him. Easy is a strong man who thinks that he is equal

to any man his same size, yet he did not fight back with these policemen. He says, "I knew that I

was going to have to go through with the whole mess, but I felt more tired and scared than I had

been in years." (Devil in a Blue Dresspg.76). He felt this way because it was a white man's

world and it always would be. He knew that trying to take a stand against these policemen could

only cause trouble for him.Let's take a closer look at this important conversation between Easy

Rawlins and the two police officers that indicates a discriminatory situation.

Mason: We have a few questions to ask. We can take off those cuffs if you Want to start
cooperating.”
Rawlins: “I am cooperating.”
Mr. Miller: Told ya, Bill,” He’s a smart nigger.
Mr. Miller: Where did you go when you left Coretta James’s house on Thursday
morning?
Mr. Rawlins: “I went home.”(Mason tried to kick the chair out from under me but I was
on my feet Before he could) Mr. Miller: Have a seat, Mr. Rawlins,” Mr. Rawlins:
 “Why’m I gonna sit and you keep tryin’ to knock me down?” I cried. But I sat down
anyway. Mr. Miller: You can go,” Mason: (shouted) “You heard him, nigger!” Mr.
Miller: We’ll be coming ’round if we need you.” Mr. Rawlins: “How am I supposed to
get home from way out here? The buses Stop after six.” (Miller turned away from me.
Mason was already gone). (devil in a blue dress pg74-82)

A tide of anger and resignation washed over Easy Rawlins as Officers Miller and Mason
clamped the handcuffs on his wrists. This wasn't about resisting arrest; it was about something
far bigger. He felt the sting of double consciousness – the awareness of his Black identity
clashing with the expectations of the white world staring back at him through the officers' eyes.
Part of him wanted to fight back, when he said: “Mason tore into me with his fists. He knocked
me to the floor but I grabbed onto his wrist. I swung around and twisted so that I was straddling
his back, sitting on his fat ass. I could have killed him the way I’d killed other white men in
uniforms, but I could feel Miller behind me so I stood straight up and moved to the corner “.
(Devil in a blue dress pg80) but another part of him knew that wouldn't go well. Easy locked
eyes with the officers, not scared but definitely annoyed. He played it cool on the outside, but
inside he burned with the unfairness of it all. This wasn't just about him being in trouble; it was
about the bigger picture, the way Black men always seemed like suspects no matter what.
Despite the anger, Easy knew defiance wouldn't change their minds. He wasn't just resisting
them; he was resisting the stereotype, they tried to force on him, the stereotype of the angry
Black man. He met their gaze with a defiant look, not as an individual fighting for his rights, but
as a symbol of a community constantly battling prejudice.
However, As Easy Rawlins navigates the complexities of his identity and societal

expectations, his relationships with white individuals become central in shaping his path

forward.Rawlins slowly begins to separate his split selves by using certain relationships as an

escape for his folk and a way to delve deeper into the world of the white. It is noted that “if

minorities wish to continue their social existence within a racially segmented world and not be

totally enmeshed in it, they must often live double consciousness and have a sense of always

looking at one's self through the eyes of others." In this statement, we recognize that Rawlins
must continue to live with his folk in a racially segmented world. It is in his relationship with

white individuals that he begins to piece together a life for his alter ego consciously leading a life

he knows but does not want to know. His friendship and employment from Mr. Albright lead to

Easy doing jobs, most of which are helping corrupt city officials and searching for missing

people; all jobs are typical of a private detective, although Easy must succumb to the demands of

others in order to make money. His relationship with Daphne Monet is by far the most vivid

depiction of Rawlins' strategy for dealing with his double consciousness. Monet represents every

bit of the life that Easy wants to have as a successful black man in the white world. Although

Monet has secrets that she is hiding and a lifestyle that she is trying to run away from, she has all

the qualities that Rawlins sees as desirable. Their interactions lead Rawlins to start leading a

secret life investigating her past in order to find out more about her, as Monet says "I need you,

Mr. Rawlins, to find out things that you might not want to know."(devil in a blue dress pg.194)

This is exactly what Easy is doing; he is stepping away from his folk, working for white people

to find out a lifestyle that he himself may not want to know but is needed in order to survive in

the legal sense. The act of finding Daphne Monet in Easy's eyes will be an act of retaining his

own humanity by finding the white girl for the man, while being able to hold on to his dignity

and pride. Though Easy is very much interested in making the white man's money, he says to

himself, "I didn't know if I could trust a white man to pay me what he owed" (Devil in a blue

dress pg24). By saying this, Easy is furiously trying to change his original reasons for taking on

the job so he can avoid falling into the trap of subservience. However, he realizes that this

comment is actually a lie to himself and realizes the path in which he must take.

Additionally, Easy Rawlins is a character who views himself partly through the eyes of

others, using that perspective to navigate a segregated white man's world and advance himself.
Throughout this process, he develops a second identity, truer to his personal values, which often

conflicts with his primary black identity. Easy's struggle to navigate between his identities stems

from various reasons, primarily his own internal conflict and the expectations placed upon him

by society is a point in the story where Easy comments that he just can't win. This was in

response to when Easy was accused of Laurel's murder. A white man in an elevator tells Easy

that he should run because they'll hang a black man for killing a white woman, but they'll just

shoot you. In Easy's eyes, the justice served is the same for both men, but he is expected to be a

different person because of the color of his skin. He's expected to be better and live up to a

higher standard as a black man, and while he wants to succeed in a world of white expectations,

this considering Tough's comment about being a credit to the race causes guilt and anger.

Another reason for difficulty in navigating between his two identities is the racial prejudice of

the time period. This prejudice influenced his life in many negative ways and posed further

dilemmas in situations and decisions. One example of this is when Easy becomes DeWitt

Albright's "detective." Easy is thrust into a world of wealth and splendor that he secretly desires,

but in order to get there, he has to sink to a level of moral ambiguity. He must do things that he

doesn't want to tell his friends or family about, and in doing so continues to shift from his true

identity into a role fit for a white man to solve the case.

However, early on in his self-discovery, we see Easy attempt the first solution. After

realizing his White acquaintances were willing to trust him with dangerous sensitive information

due to his race, he states that he should "just act really dumb and the White boys would probably

say everything they knew. But I just couldn't bring myself to do that" (Devil in a Blue Dress

pg.33). Easy is unwilling to play his predetermined role of the shuffling, easy to dupe Negro, and

heburns the only bridges he has built to a social mobility without crime. This reaction shows the
beginnings of resigning to his Black subordinaterole and ceasing to attempt the masquerade

between the two separate identities.

2.Daphne Monet's Veiled Identity

In "Devil in a Blue Dress," Daphne Monet's blue dress isn't just something pretty to
wear; it's a symbol with layers of meaning that tell us a lot about her character. The blue color is
a symbol of calmness and good manners, a blue dress would be what a proper lady might wear to
a fancy event back then. Daphne uses this to her advantage. The blue dress is like a costume that
helps her blend in with what people expect from a woman of her class. It's a shield, protecting
her from unwanted attention as she moves around a world with strict social rules. But then there's
the word "devil”. The devil is usually thought of as bad or rebellious, someone who breaks the
rules. This hints that there's another side to Daphne, a hidden part of her that she keeps secret.
. The blue dress can't hide this side completely. It's like a mask she wears, and the "devil" part of
her peeks through every now and then, like a crack in the facade. Daphne experiences "double
consciousness" because of the world she lives in. She has to be this proper lady in public, the
blue dress helping her play the part. But there's this hidden "devil" side too, and the struggle to
balance these two parts is what the blue dress really represents. It's a reminder of the effort it
takes for Daphne to navigate her world, the constant feeling of performing a role, and the
pressure to fit in while keeping her true self a secret.
The simplest way to understand the double consciousness of daphne is by viewing the
theory in terms of black and white. Daphne Monet ismixed with her mother being white and her
father black. By seeing her ability to change between her white world and her black world
Daphne always questioned what she was because she was never fully accepted as exactly half
black and half white. Double consciousness describes the way people can change their identities
depending on their location. They often feel like they have to wear a mask in society, they can
never be themselves. Daphne Monet in "Devil in a Blue Dress," portrays this behavior. As if she
must be a "white" woman in society and her "true" African American self behind closed doors.
Her double identity is the cause of not only her distress throughout the story, but it is revealed to
be the root of the psychological problems that serve as the cause of her distress. Daphne
experiences dissonance with her identity which causes her to create and assume an identity that
she believes will be more acceptable to society, while internally conflicted with her actual self
and society's ideals
Double consciousness creates a scenario in which the black individual has to reconcile
two opposing identities. The first is his and his race's identity fostered by the American society,
and the second is his true self, striving to find a means of self-expression. Daphne Monet is one
such individual struggling with her dual identity. On one hand she is a light-skinned black
woman who takes advantage of the black community for her own personal gain, and on the other
she is a woman who is deeply rooted in the black culture. This struggle between her two
identities are always present in her daily life. Though she hates to be around black people, she
constantly finds herself moving back to the black community. She is like a chameleon,
constantly changing her identity to suit her purpose, sometimesshe feels very comfortable with
her true identity with Easy, as they both shares the plight of the African American. This is
evident when Monet says "I'm glad I met you Mr. Rawlins. Sometimes I get really tired of being
around white people" (Devil in a Blue Dress pg.78). However, when Monet is with Miller,
pretending to aid Easy's investigation of Coretta, she is a shill, acting as bait to lure Easy into a
trap. she finds it difficult to maintain her chameleon-like nature, switching between identities.
Andthis creates a constant inner conflict over the duality of her lifestyle and which identity she
should comply with.

From the very start, Daphne creates a persona to navigate her challenging reality. She

adheres to traditional feminine stereotypes by portraying herself as shy and delicate young

woman, as seen in her fake French accent when first meeting Easy Rawlins. This "sweet and

helpless girl" act serves a clever dual purpose. It first makes Easy lower his guard, making him

feel trusted and willing to assist. Second, by putting on a fake accent, she blurs her racial

identity, possibly passing as white.However, Daphne's true identity is much more complex than

just an act. This facade collapses when she is faced with the harsh truth of her friend Richard
McGee's death. The innocent girl vanishes, replaced by a more assertive and even ruthless

individual. This shift is evident in her demands for money and her ruthless attempt to erase any

evidence that might link her to the scene (Devil in a Blue Dress pg.101-103). This ability to

morph between contrasting identities reflects the internal struggle Daphne faces. The innocent

persona serves as a shield, a carefully crafted defense mechanism to protect her from the

potential dangers of revealing her true racial identity in a world steeped in prejudice. The

assertive side, however, emerges when the stakes are high, revealing the complexities and

potential ruthlessness necessary to survive in a hostile environment.

Moreover, Daphne in the novel walks a tightrope, fearing rejection from both sides of
the white and Black communities, and how they would perceive her. She craves acceptance
from white society, but worries of how white society might reject her for not being truly "one of
them", neither truly white nor fitting the mold they expect. On the other hand, her attempts to
assimilate might be perceived by the Black community as a rejection of her heritage, leaving her
ostracized from her own people. This constant fear of not belonging anywhere fuels her
anxieties. For Instance, In Chapter 25of "Devil in a Blue Dress," a scene where Daphne visits
Easy's apartment offers a subtle look at her struggle with double consciousness. Imagine a fancy
woman used to nice things walking into Easy's messy place. Daphne is a Black woman who's
lived a life of luxury, but she's also had to deal with the challenges of being Black in a world
where racism is still a big problem. So, when she sees Easy's place, it might make her think
about her own past struggles and the times when she didn't have it so easy. This scene shows us
how Daphne has to deal with two different sides of herself: the privileged woman she's become
and the Black woman who knows what it's like to face discrimination and hardship. It's like she's
always trying to find a balance between these two parts of her identity. But things get even more
complicated when Easy asks her about Coretta’s death which is tied to Daphne's brother, Frank,
When Easy brings this up, it scares Daphne because it could expose her true Black identity and
all the secrets she's been hiding. Lastly, Daphne's tough childhood from her father abuse left her
feeling broken and confused. To survive, she hides who she really is. She's ashamed of her
Black heritage, which makes it hard for her to fit in anywhere. If she could accept both parts of
herself, it would help her heal, but it would also mean facing the bad memories she's been hiding
from.
3. Mouse
Mouse came from Texas, a place where the condition of African Americans was poor.
Mouse's original name was not given, it was one that he chose to change himself. This would
have been very common in societies in which African Americans were subject to racial
discrimination. Often, people who were of the mentality of being undermined would seek to find
means to better themselves within a society that degraded them. A name change was one
method. Mouse said he changed his name because "the way he (Devil) treated me" (Devil in a
Blue Dress pg.168). This is a clear indicator of dissatisfaction with being a black man at the time.
The term "Devil" is often a metaphor for things being very bad, and regarding him changing his
name after such an incident, is a clear suggestion that he wanted to rid himself of the perceived
stigma and feeling of inferiority associated with being African American during this time period.
The fact that Mouse never discloses his real name to anyone also suggests that he is trying to
hide his past identity, thus furthering the notion that he wanted to rid himself of racial stigma
Mouse can be classified as the bad person with street smarts. He is depicted as a very
violent and dangerous character who is also very unpredictable. His nickname 'Mouse' is ironic
in itself because to most people, a mouse is small and harmless but Mouse is completely the
opposite. The nickname basically leads us to believe that, although Mouse is not a very big or
built person, it wouldn't be the greatest idea to mess with him. Mouse often describes what he
does best himself: "I close my eyes and start grabbing." He doesn't think much about what he
does before he does it. This is a result of double consciousness. Mouse is stuck between two
worlds, where he wants to live a good honest life, but his color and the racist society in which he
is placed in prevents him from attaining this correctly. He gives in to the white stereotype of the
crazy, violent, black man. Through double consciousness on Mouse's own behalf, he states "See
Mr. Albright, I can do the things that you yourself can't do. Even though your friends wouldn't
like me seeing you."(Devil in Blue Dress pg. 221) He knows that race is a factor that prevents
him from achieving certain things and this lack of achievement is what causes him to unleash his
anger and violence on society. He knows no better way to do this as it is what he claims to be;
the only way for a black man, to show the truth in a racist America.
Furthermore, Mouse's struggle with identity is closely related to his struggle to get out of
poverty. Mouse is very aware of his social status and position in society. He knows that he is at a
low status and has to resort to deviant behavior to achieve more. He consciously knows that
deviant behavior isn't morally correct, but it is the only way he feels that there is a way to move
up economically. For example, he teaches Junior not to steal because he knows it is morally
incorrect, but when Junior introduces Mouse to his friend Benny, who has a simple job for
Mouse to earn money, Mouse responds, "I'd rather steal" (90). He knows very clearly what is
right and wrong, but in the pursuit of the American Dream, morality stands as a barrier between
him and his goal. He struggles with what he knows is right and the means that it will take for him
to get out of the situation his community and family are placed in. He says, "I'm sick and tired of
being poor. Easy Rawlins was right, I was born poor and I'll surely die in the same way" (92).
Mouse has the mindset that there is no hope unless he takes action to better his position. This
attitude becomes a problem because Mouse doesn't understand his true identity. He knows what
he is and what he wants to become, but a conflict arises in which he has to sacrifice his morals
and go against a different identity that he once knew. Additionally, this mysterious character
suffers psychologically from having to constantly balance his sense of right and wrong with his
financial desperation. He’s forced to internalize the stereotype that Black men are naturally
violent because he's stuck in a situation where there's no way out. His ego and unpredictable
behaviors are fueled by this internalization. We see glimmers of this ego when he when he
confronts Easy about Daphne, stating, "Look, I ain't like you. I ain't got no education or nothin'. I
ain't got nothin' but this" (Devil in a Blue Dress pg.182), pointing to his gun. His belief that
violence is the only thing he can offer is highlighted in this statement, which is a tragic result of a
society that denies him the opportunity to define himself beyond stereotypes.

Moreover, Mouse’s character personifies a unique vision of the American dream. His

desire was not wealth and possessions like many other characters in the novel, it was simply to
be seen as an equal and superior to white people. He understands the segregation of that time and

the place of a black person in society. He does not accept this and claims he is just as good as

any white man. This is the reason he takes on the image of a wealthy white man, Mr. Albright.

However, Mouse's attempts to better his economic status are directly tied to his desire to

assimilate into white society. At that time, it was a common idea in the black community that

one must become more like the white man in order to achieve success; it was virtually the only

means for a black man to get ahead. Easy acknowledges this by saying "There's a lot of colored

people in this country who don't wanna be colored". Mouse's interpretation of success is skewed

by the fact that he is comparing his potential wealth to that of a rich white man, rather than using

a white man of his same economic status as a benchmark. Several examples illustrate this warped

ambition. Firstly, Mouse's association with Mr. Albright, is not merely professional. He brags to

Easy, "He treats me like a friend" (Mosley, 110),this shows Mouse desperately wants to be

accepted by a powerful white guy , he likely believes that by associating himself with Mr.

Albright's wealth and status, he gains a perceived closeness to the white world he desires to

emulate. Secondly, Mouse's choice of attire is significant. When Easy first meets him, he's

dressed in "pressed slacks and a white shirt with a collar pin" (Devil in a Blue Dress pg,113).

This formal attire, far more expensive and stylish than Easy's own, is a subtle attempt to mimic

white fashion trends. It's not just about being neat, it's a performance, a way to signal his

aspiration to a higher social class, one typically associated with white wealth. Finally, Mouse's

whole chase for money is a mistake. He doesn't really want the money for its own sake, just for

the acceptance in a world that will never fully embrace him. Mosley, through Mouse, delivers a

powerful critique of a society that forces minorities to change who they are just for success and

belonging.