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The Whipping Man Matthew Lopez Full Text

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The Production of The Whipping Man, created by Matthew Lopez, was set in Civil War which took place in April 1865, in what seemed to be the Jewish celebration of the Passover, and the tragedy of President Abraham Lincoln. During this time, there was a significant amount of themes discuss within the play. Matthew Lopez production, The Whipping Man illustrated a compelling story of themes about slavery, freedom, and relationships. The theme relationship and slavery was illustrated in Act I of the script when John was describing what happened with Caleb and his friendship and how a legacy of slavery continues.
JOHN. Caleb and his father went with me the first time I was sent. Did you know that Simon?
SIMON. I did
CALEB. John
JOHN. Mr. Deleon felt things where getting two chummy around here between me and Caleb. Between us and the DeLeons. Felt Caleb didn’t fully appreciate the true relationship between a master and his slave. So off we all went. To learn.
What happened first, Caleb? You remember? (No answer from CALEB)
JOHN. Caleb and his father stood in the corner and watch as the Whipping Man put me on my knees. Didn’t you, Caleb? The Whipping …show more content…

How did you love her, Caleb? Like you love a dog. You love a dog, you feed a dog. But when he acts up, you also-
(boom-SMACK!)
-beat a dog. You might have thought you loved Sarah but you also owned her. And if this hadn’t all just happened, you would have owned your baby, too. You would have owned your own child, Caleb. (Act II Scene III)

This last example illustrates the complex reality of slavery, and the reality behind Caleb and Simon daughter Sarah. The last theme freedom was illustrated in Act II of the script when Simon takes a sip of wine for the first time; SIMON brings the glass to his lips. He lets the wine slide down his throat. It tastes like freedom. He closes his eyes. This shows a visual image of Simon gripping look at new-found freedom he is about to experience.

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