'Night Funeral In Harlem' by Langston Hughes
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Night funeral
In Harlem:
Where did they get
Them two fine cars?
Insurance man, he did not pay--
His insurance lapsed the other day--
Yet they got a satin box
for his head to lay.
Night funeral
In Harlem:
Who was it sent
That wreath of flowers?
Them flowers came
from that poor boy's friends--
They'll want flowers, too,
When they meet their ends.
Night funeral
in Harlem:
Who preached that
Black boy to his grave?
Old preacher man
Preached that boy away--
Charged Five Dollars
His girl friend had to pay.
Night funeral
In Harlem:
When it was all over
And the lid shut on his head
and the organ had done played
and the last prayers been said
and six pallbearers
Carried him out for dead
And off down Lenox Avenue
That long black hearse done sped,
The street light
At his corner
Shined just like a tear--
That boy that they was mournin'
Was so dear, so dear
To them folks that brought the flowers,
To that girl who paid the preacher man--
It was all their tears that made
That poor boy's
Funeral grand.
Night funeral
In Harlem.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Night Funeral In Harlem by Langston Hughes
Are you a fan of poetry that speaks to your soul? Then you need to read Langston Hughes' "Night Funeral In Harlem." This classic poem captures the essence of African American culture, emotions, and struggles.
In this piece, Hughes paints a vivid picture of a funeral procession through Harlem. However, the poem's deeper meaning is the reflection of the hardships of the African American community. The funeral procession is a metaphor for the end of a life, but also the end of hope, dreams, and aspirations.
The Opening Stanzas
"Night funeral In Harlem, Night funeral in Harlem, In the silence of the night, In the silence of the night."
Right from the start, Hughes sets the mood for the poem. The repetition of "Night funeral in Harlem" creates a somber and reflective tone. This repetition also highlights the significance of the event. It is not just any funeral, but a "night funeral" which is a unique occurrence.
The "silence of the night" emphasizes the fact that this is a solemn and quiet moment. It shows that this is not a joyous occasion, but one filled with sadness and grief. The opening stanzas are a reminder that death is inevitable, and it can come at any moment, even during the night.
The Funeral Procession
"Only dimly, At the funeral, The poor old woman Who had loved him So long and well, That now she sat Wrapped in the velvet coat Of her grief, In the silence of the night, Rocking herself, crying, To the rhythm of a dirge."
The old woman in this stanza represents the many mothers, grandmothers, and wives who have lost their loved ones to the harsh realities of life. The "velvet coat" symbolizes the heaviness of grief and mourning. The phrase "wrapped in the velvet coat of her grief" is an image that will stick with you.
The "rhythm of a dirge" is a metaphor for the sorrowful rhythm of life. It is a reminder that life can be painful and filled with losses. The old woman crying and rocking herself is a powerful image of a mother who has lost her son.
"Only the coffin-tops On the wagons, Only the grass-markers Remained."
The image of the coffin-tops on the wagons is a reminder that death is a journey that we all must take. The grass-markers are symbols of the impermanence of life. They remind us that we are all mortal, and our time on earth is limited.
The Last Stanza
"And on the night When the hearse Slipped around the corner Onto Lenox Avenue, Into the waiting Empty arms Of the night The heart of the woman Who had loved him Broke into a thousand memories, And a thousand Memories Broke into The sobs Of the woman Who had loved him."
The last stanza is a powerful and emotional conclusion to the poem. The hearse slipping around the corner onto Lenox Avenue is a metaphor for the end of a journey. The waiting empty arms of the night represent the unknown future that we all face.
The heart of the woman who had loved him breaking into a thousand memories is a metaphor for the pain and sorrow that comes with losing a loved one. The sobbing of the woman who had loved him is a reminder that grief is a process that takes time.
Interpretation
"Night Funeral In Harlem" is a reflection of the African American experience. It is a powerful and emotional piece that captures the essence of the hardships and struggles that the community has faced.
The funeral procession is a metaphor for the end of hope, dreams, and aspirations. It is a reminder that life can be harsh and filled with losses. The image of the old woman crying and rocking herself is a powerful symbol of the love and pain that comes with being a mother or a wife in the African American community.
The repetition of "night funeral in Harlem" emphasizes the significance of the event. It is not just any funeral, but a unique and somber occasion. The phrase "wrapped in the velvet coat of her grief" is an image that will stick with you.
The last stanza is a powerful and emotional conclusion to the poem. The hearse slipping around the corner onto Lenox Avenue is a metaphor for the end of a journey. The waiting empty arms of the night represent the unknown future that we all face.
In conclusion, "Night Funeral In Harlem" is a masterpiece that speaks to the soul. It is a reflection of the African American experience and a powerful reminder that life can be harsh and filled with losses. Langston Hughes' poem will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Night Funeral In Harlem: A Poem of Grief and Resilience
Langston Hughes, one of the most celebrated poets of the Harlem Renaissance, wrote Night Funeral In Harlem in 1938. The poem is a poignant reflection on the experience of loss and grief in the African American community, particularly in the context of the Great Depression and the social and economic challenges faced by black Americans during that time. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of the poem, and how they contribute to its powerful message of resilience and hope.
The poem opens with a vivid description of a funeral procession in Harlem at night. The mourners are carrying the coffin of a young man who has died too soon, and their grief is palpable. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its somber imagery and mournful language:
"Night funeral In Harlem: Where did they get Them two fine cars?"
The use of the word "night" immediately creates a sense of darkness and foreboding, while the repetition of "Harlem" emphasizes the specific location and community being mourned. The question about the cars suggests that the mourners are not wealthy, and that they have had to borrow or rent the vehicles for the occasion. This detail highlights the economic struggles faced by many African Americans during the Depression, and the challenges they faced in affording even the most basic necessities.
As the procession moves through the streets, the poem shifts to a more introspective tone, as the speaker reflects on the meaning of death and the ways in which it affects those left behind:
"Insurance man, He don't care. He'll take it. They won't hardly know He's gone."
The reference to the insurance man highlights the practical concerns that arise after a death, and the ways in which the bereaved are often left to deal with the financial and logistical aftermath. The line "They won't hardly know he's gone" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the deceased was not valued or appreciated in life, and that his absence will not be deeply felt by those around him.
The second stanza of the poem introduces a new character, a woman who is mourning the loss of her son. Her grief is described in vivid detail, as she wails and cries out in anguish:
"Little rags and bones And a lonely mother's voice— Little rags and bones And a broken mother's heart."
The repetition of "little rags and bones" emphasizes the fragility and vulnerability of the deceased, while the phrase "broken mother's heart" captures the depth of the woman's pain and loss. The use of the word "lonely" also suggests that she is alone in her grief, without the support or comfort of a community or family.
The third stanza of the poem shifts to a more hopeful tone, as the speaker reflects on the resilience and strength of the African American community in the face of adversity:
"Not a sigh nor a cry Nor a tear Dare I make For I'll be sold Tomorrow."
The reference to being "sold tomorrow" is a reminder of the legacy of slavery and the ongoing struggles faced by African Americans in the 20th century. Despite this, the speaker refuses to give in to despair or hopelessness, and instead chooses to focus on the strength and resilience of the community.
The final stanza of the poem returns to the funeral procession, as the mourners reach their destination and the coffin is lowered into the ground:
"Let a man come in And find it gone— Hell, what does he care? He'll get another In Harlem Ain't nobody knows What kind of trouble I've had."
The reference to the coffin being "gone" suggests that the deceased has been forgotten or overlooked, and that his passing has had little impact on the wider world. The final lines of the poem, however, suggest a note of defiance and resilience, as the speaker asserts that despite the challenges and struggles faced by the African American community, they will continue to persevere and overcome.
In conclusion, Night Funeral In Harlem is a powerful and poignant reflection on the experience of loss and grief in the African American community during the Great Depression. Through its vivid imagery, mournful language, and themes of resilience and hope, the poem captures the struggles and challenges faced by black Americans during this time, while also celebrating their strength and resilience in the face of adversity. As such, it remains a timeless and enduring work of poetry, and a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.
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