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 unfair treatment by the system that is imposed on the tenant. The tenant warns the landlord that he will not pay him the rent money until the problems of the apartment are repaired. "Well, that's Ten Bucks more'n I'll pay you Till you fix this house up new." (Hughes 1049). His protest is met with a far fetched exaggerated story that the landlord tells the police, saying that "He's trying to ruin the government And overturn the land!" (Hughes 1050). The system then proceeds in punishing the tenant by putting him in jail.
             Today we can still see this unfairness of the system in that impoverished African-Americans represent a majority in prisons, even though they represent a minority in American society. 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 execu...