Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "What? So Soon!," Langston Hughes uses his characteristic wit and rhythmic playfulness to explore themes of fate, fertility, and the socioeconomic challenges faced by African American families. The poem, through its humorous tone and colloquial language, delves into the surprise and resignation of an individual faced with the news of another impending birth, capturing both the joy and the burden of expanding a family in a challenging environment.

The opening lines, "I believe my old lady's / pregnant again!" immediately set a tone of surprise and perhaps a touch of exasperation. The term "old lady," a colloquial phrase often used affectionately to refer to one's wife or partner, grounds the poem in a specific cultural and social context. The surprise in the speaker's voice suggests that the news of another pregnancy is unexpected, highlighting the unpredictability of life and the challenges that come with it.

Hughes then introduces the concept of "Fate" as a driving force behind this unexpected turn of events: "Fate must have / some kind of trickeration / to populate the / cullud nation!" The use of the word "trickeration" is particularly notable—it’s a playful twist on "trickery," implying that Fate is engaging in some mischievous or ironic act. This sense of Fate as an almost capricious force adds a layer of humor to the poem, as if the speaker is acknowledging that life’s challenges are often beyond one’s control, governed by forces that seem to operate with a sense of irony or mischief.

The phrase "populate the cullud nation" ties the personal experience of the speaker to a broader social context. "Cullud" is a vernacular term for "colored," historically used within African American communities. By linking the personal news of pregnancy to the idea of populating the "cullud nation," Hughes subtly addresses the pressures and responsibilities associated with family life in the African American community, particularly in a society marked by economic and racial disparities. The idea of "populating" suggests not just individual family growth but also the continuation and survival of the community as a whole, despite the challenges imposed by a racially prejudiced society.

The poem then shifts to a more reflective tone with the lines "Comment against Lamp Post / You call it fate?" This comment, likely spoken aloud or perhaps a thought directed at an inanimate object—a lamp post—captures a moment of contemplation. The lamp post, a fixed and unchanging object, stands in contrast to the speaker's life, which is full of unexpected twists and turns. The questioning of whether to call it "fate" reveals a moment of doubt or skepticism about whether these life events are truly determined by some grand design or simply the result of randomness and circumstance.

The final lines, "Figurette / De-daddle-dy! / De-dop!" bring the poem to a close with a burst of rhythmic energy. These nonsensical syllables echo the sounds of jazz or scat singing, forms of music deeply rooted in African American culture. The playful, almost musical quality of these lines contrasts with the earlier sense of surprise and resignation, suggesting that despite the challenges, life goes on with a certain rhythm and flow. The speaker’s use of rhythm and sound here can be seen as a way of coping with or making sense of the unpredictability of life—turning it into something that can be danced to, sung about, or simply laughed at.

Overall, "What? So Soon!" is a short but powerful poem that captures the complexities of life, particularly in the context of African American experience. Hughes deftly combines humor, rhythm, and social commentary to explore themes of fate, family, and community. The poem reflects the resilience and adaptability of those who, despite life’s surprises and challenges, continue to find ways to move forward, often with a sense of humor and a nod to the cultural rhythms that sustain them. Through this light-hearted yet insightful poem, Hughes reminds us that life, with all its "trickeration," is something to be navigated with a mix of pragmatism, humor, and a deep connection to community and culture.

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