Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Langston Hughes' poem "Necessity" captures the harsh realities of life for many African Americans during the early 20th century, blending humor with a deep sense of resignation. The speaker's voice is both defiant and weary, reflecting a life constrained by economic necessity and social limitations.

The poem opens with the speaker's bold declaration: "Work? / I don't have to work. / I don't have to do nothing / but eat, drink, stay black, and die." These lines encapsulate a sense of rebellion against the traditional demands of labor, as the speaker initially claims a kind of freedom from the necessity of work. The phrase "eat, drink, stay black, and die" poignantly underscores the speaker's awareness of the basic, unchanging facts of life—race, sustenance, and mortality. The simplicity of these needs is contrasted with the complexity and hardship of life, hinting at a deeper resignation to the inevitability of these conditions.

The speaker's living situation is described in a humorous yet dismal manner: "This little old furnished room's / so small I can't whip a cat / without getting fur in my mouth." The image of a tiny, cramped living space where even a small action like whipping a cat would cause chaos illustrates the speaker's limited circumstances. The metaphor of the room being so small that it causes fur to fly into the speaker's mouth when a cat is whipped adds a touch of dark humor, highlighting the absurdity of the speaker's situation.

The poem then shifts focus to the speaker's landlord: "and my landlady's so old / her features is all run together." This vivid, somewhat grotesque image of the elderly landlady suggests a life worn down by time and hardship. The phrase "her features is all run together" evokes a sense of physical deterioration, as if the landlady herself is a reflection of the worn and oppressive environment in which the speaker lives.

Despite the initial assertion of freedom from work, the speaker quickly acknowledges the reality of his situation: "and God knows she sure can overcharge— / Which is why I reckon I does / have to work after all." This realization brings the poem full circle, revealing that, despite the speaker's earlier bravado, the necessity of work is inescapable. The landlady's overcharging serves as a symbol of the broader economic pressures that force the speaker to work, despite his desire to avoid it.

The poem "Necessity" reflects Hughes' ability to capture the complexities of African American life with a mixture of wit, irony, and deep social commentary. The speaker's initial defiance and later resignation to the reality of having to work reveal the tension between the desire for freedom and the oppressive forces of economic necessity. Hughes' use of colloquial language and vivid imagery allows the reader to engage with the speaker's world, making the poem both relatable and poignant.

Ultimately, "Necessity" underscores the speaker's awareness of the limited choices available to him, shaped by race, economic status, and social expectations. The poem's humor does not mask the underlying sense of frustration and resignation but rather amplifies it, making the speaker's struggle all the more powerful. In just a few lines, Hughes paints a vivid picture of a life constrained by necessity, where the simple act of survival—working to pay the rent—becomes a central, unavoidable aspect of existence.

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