Close Reading Poetry Analysis

¶ … Langston Hughes' Poem "Madam's Past History"

The poem "Madam's Past History" is about a black woman asserting herself, remaining strong, and forcing people to show some respect for her, despite how society places her. In the voice of Madam Alberta K., she is showing that she will appear strong to the world, no matter what she has to do. In the end, Madam Alberta K. only has her pride and she defends it fiercely.

The first major point in the poem is that she makes everyone refer to her as Madam. As she states in the first verse, "The Madam stands for business. / I'm smart that way." In these lines, she is showing her reasoning for making everyone call her Madam, which is that it makes her appear strong and business-like. This business-like approach also suggests that she does not want to allow anyone to see any sign of frailty in her. In this way, referring to herself as Madam is about her need to assert herself and be strong. This is also reinforced at the end of the poem, where she finishes with, "Alberta K. Johnson-- / Madam to you." It is important that she first gives her name, which represents that she knows who she is. This is quickly followed by "Madam to you." This has a similar message to the beginning of the poem where she referred to Madam as standing for business. In both cases, it is showing that she does not want herself to be seen by others for who she really is. The "Madam" is like a front that protects her and allows her to feel strong, while at the same she is protecting any real frailties and vulnerabilities. This shows that she is putting on a strong front and protecting herself from the world. The next point to consider is what she is protecting herself from.

This is suggesting in the verses of the poem, where she describes how she has tried and been forced to fail in many areas. Her need to express how she has worked is represented by putting them in capital letters. In the second verse she tells the reader, "I had a / HAIR-DRESSING PARLOR." In the third verse she tells the reader, "Then I had a / BARBECUE STAND." Putting these two forms of work on separate lines and in bold font suggests that she wants to make this obvious to the reader. This shows that she has a desire to please others and have them approve of her. In turn, this suggests that she does feel some shame for how things have turned out. The next statement in bold occurs after she reveals that she is not currently working, as she practically shouts at the reader "DON'T WORRY 'BOUT ME!" It is interesting to note that at one point she is trying to convince the reader to accept her, and at the next she is shouting at the reader to ignore her. This suggests that she is fighting something within herself. She seems to be fighting a need to please, while also being aware that she will be judged and rejected by the reader. In the end, it seems that she sees herself as having failed. At the same time, she cannot fight this because she is not in control of herself. She is infringed upon from the demands of society. In one way then, she wants to fight. In another, she knows that there is no point in fighting.

This disappointment and acceptance of failure is also suggested by the rhythm of each line. Considering the second two verses shows the importance of this:

I had a HAIR-DRESSING PARLOR

Before

The depression put

The prices lower.

Then I had a BARBECUE STAND

Till I got mixed up

With a no-good man.

Note in these two lines, that there is an increase in rhythm and a high-point is reached with the words "HAIR-DRESSING PARLOR" and "BARBECUE STAND." After this high point, the rhythm falls to a low point. This is a rising and falling suggesting that the speaker is aware that any time she succeeds, failure will follow. The speaker's voice also suggests someone giving up, rather than battling on. Again then, this suggests that the speaker's determination to remain strong is really a front covering up the fact that she is giving up.

The last verse of the poem is also important, where the speaker states that "I do cooking / Day's work, too!" The rhythm of this line and the exclamation point suggest that this is one of the most upbeat points of the poem. However, considering the meaning of these lines, it shows the speaker's forced enthusiasm. Here, she is trying to convince the reader that the work she does is important. But she gives it away in the last line when she demands respect from the reader, stating that they must refer to her as Madam. This shows that the entire poem is a way of asking for acceptance from the reader. At the same time though, she rejects this acceptance and returns to a focus on just demanding that they call her Madam. As noted earlier, this relates to her need to show strength and assert herself. Considering that she is aware that she cannot achieve success and gain approval, her final answer is to demand respect and protect her pride. Her pride remains as the only thing that cannot be taken away from her and she concludes by showing that she is not going to let anyone take her pride away, even overcoming her own needs to gain approval for others.