Socioeconomic Tensions in
Socioeconomic Tensions in Langston Hughes' "Ballad of the Landlord" The theme in the poem "Ballad of the Landlord" by Langston Hughes, although certainly may be interpreted in different ways, basically boils down to the socioeconomic class conflict between the haves and have-nots. A Marxist critic will argue that the social and economic tensions that have existed since the establishment of civilization are reflected on the literary works of authors throughout time. The elements of poetry that best support the theme in Hughes' poem are the archetypal symbol and irony. The conflict between the landlord and the tenant is one that has existed in other forms in the past, and exists in the present as well. It is an archetypal symbol of rich vs. poor, or in Marxist terminology: bourgeoisie vs. proletariat. Marxist critics believe that the proletarian is punished as a direct consequence of the disparity in wealth, and in this system the rich will be excused for any wrongdoing. In Hughes' poem we see a reflection of this
Perhaps, because of the casualness in the tone of the narrator in the penultimate stanzas is what makes this poem so ironic. The tenant warns the landlord that he will not pay him the rent money until the problems of the apartment are repaired. On the other hand the judicial system has a way of pardoning many white-collar crimes, for example one will not find too many bank executives that are incarcerated for embezzlement or money laundering in today's prison system. This theme is highlighted with the poetic elements of archetypal symbol and irony. His understated tone and dry irony in this poem are evidence enough to support this statement. After reading this poem, one can see that in fact a bias exists against the "negro" tenant. By the 1960s a social, racial, and economical revolt was underway and Hughes' "Ballad of the Landlord" was a medium for the underprivileged African-Americans that had exploded like a time bomb and were ready to fight for what was rightfully theirs -social equality. The words, instead of sentences, that the author chooses in the following stanzas make the irony so dynamic. unfair treatment by the system that is imposed on the tenant.
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