“Dinner Guest: Me”: The Problem has a Problem Essay

The verbalizer in Langston Hughess dinner fellowship thickening Me finds himself the center of attention at a dinner party on Park Avenue. The speaker deceptively sets the subscriber up in the first few lines of stanza hotshot by using a hoarfrost scheme that suggests a slightly cavalier outlook on the eventide ahead he opines, I know I am / The negro difficulty / Being wined and dined (lines 1-3). By using a mixture of jump and repetitive end rhyme, in addition to the internal rhyme, the speakers rhythm and pace is initially quick and bright, immediately engaging the readers curiosity about what should prove to be an interesting evening. The ridicule of the dinner party for the speaker is that he re fork ups the swarthy enigma, and he makes the header early on in the numbers, that all of the other guests are light nevertheless, the speaker is the main attraction at this lavish gathering, Answering the popular questions / That come to vacuous mind (4-5). The juxta position of the line of work as an invited guest, non to mention the primeval focus of conversation, is something the speaker qualitys is non the norm if the sear paradox is present for a dinner party on this perspective of town, it would not be sitting at the dinner table the Problem would be serving the dinner table.The speaker in Langston Hughess dinner party Guest Me determinations avatar and imagery to allow the reader to experience his puzzlement and conflict as a black human existences partaking in what he believes to be a white mans world on Park Avenue. The speakers wont of personification in this poem is not immediately evident. However, a valid argument can be made that a black man is not literally present for this dinner party at all the Problem of the black man and the rent of the black community is obviously the center of attention and the primary topic of interchange, but the Problems physical presence is not needed to capture this dialogue among the w hite dinner guests. Through his use of personification, the speaker is able to address the Problem of black culture, and its place in speed class white fiat, without actually having to be present himself.Furthermore, the speakers ability to project the black mans plight in to this racially exclusionary clique is a clever use of personification by making the Problem come alive, the reader gets an insiders facet of how this white class of people views the issues facing black culture in addition, personification offers the alternate view of how the black culture views itself in these similar circumstances sadly for the speaker, it appears that they all have the same opinion of the black Problem Solutions to the Problem, / Of course, wait (22-23). By applying personification the speaker is able to wear out to the reader that, unfortunately, both factions agree on all points the Problem is very the Problem warrants discussion but, the Problem is not a priority thitherfore, the Prob lem can wait.The speaker should be enraged by the apathy this assertion evokes, but instead he concedes To be a Problem on / Park Avenue at eight / Is not so dreary (19-21). Through effective use of personification we realize that the speaker likes being the thrust of the discussion, even if at that place is no solution in prospect for the Problem. Additionally, the speakers persuasive use of imagery is palpable throughout the poem, especially as he describes the guests consuming lobster and fraises du bois wild French strawberries at a well-appointed dinner table, saying Im so humiliated of being white (14). The speakers use of imagery here illustrates the stark dichotomy between the two races, and the real priority the Problem is, or is not, within both cultures. The white party goers ask among themselves, The why and wherewithalOf darkness U.S.A.Wondering how things got this wayIn current democratic night. (8-11)The speaker allows us to feel the awkward approach of the white guests on the depicted object of black culture the uneasy transition, almost tip-toeing around the topic, afraid to say too much. Then he turns around and relieves our anxiety by covering us how the Problem is enjoying being the center of attention, At the damask table, mine (18). The speakers narrative on imagery is used efficaciously by elaborating in great detail on the table coverings Damask, the haute cuisine they are dining upon, and the specific location of Park Avenue. This is an intentional dodge by the speaker to elicit a clear-cut image of upper class white society where the black Problem should clearly feel out of place there is only one problem for the Problem he fits right inIn conclusion, Dinner Guest Me successfully uses personification and imagery to capture the readers imagination as the speaker attends a Park Avenue dinner party in upper class white society the main topic of discussion for the evening is the issue of the black Problem. Although both groups, bl ack and white, agree that there is a real Problem, no one is prepared for what the speaker reveals at the end of the poem sitting around a dining agency table on Park Avenue, Over fraises du bois (13), the Problem and white society do appear to agree on at least one thing Solutions to the Problem, / Of course, wait (23). Furthermore, through the speakers creative use of personification and imagery the reader can conclude that the Problem and white society are more alike in their outlook on racial equality than either wants to admit. Therefore, the Problem has a problem incomplete white party goer nor black Problem sees the need for both real urgency to address the issues Of darkness U.S.A (9).Works CitedHughes, Langston. Dinner Guest Me. Literature Reading, Reacting, Writing. 8th ed. Eds. Laurie Kirszner, and Stephen Mandell. Boston Wadsworth, 2012. 1009. Print.