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

The loudspeaker system in Langston Hughess Dinner Guest Me finds himself the center of attention at a dinner party troupe on ballpark Avenue. The speaker deceptively sets the reader up in the first few lines of stanza one by using a rhyme design that suggests a slightly cavalier outlook on the evening ahead he says, I know I am / The Negro paradox / organism wined and dined (lines 1-3). By using a mixture of alternating and repetitive end rhyme, in addition to the internal rhyme, the speakers rhythm and pace is ab initio quick and bright, immediately engaging the readers curiosity about what should prove to be an interesting evening. The irony of the dinner party for the speaker is that he re depicts the relentless puzzle, and he makes the point early on in the poem, that all of the other guests are white nevertheless, the speaker is the main attraction at this luxuriant gathering, Answering the usual questions / That come to white mind (4-5). The juxtaposition of the Probl em as an invited guest, not to mention the primary focus of conversation, is something the speaker savours is not the average if the black Problem is present for a dinner party on this side 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 Guest Me uses incarnation and imagery to allow the reader to experience his bemusement and date as a black man partaking in what he believes to be a white mans world on super C Avenue. The speakers use 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 plight of the black community is seemingly the center of attention and the primary topic of discussion, but the Problems physical presence is not ingested to capture this dialogue among the white dinner guests. Through his use of personification, the spea ker is able to address the Problem of black culture, and its place in hurrying class white society, 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 view 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 same circumstances sadly for the speaker, it appears that they all have the same opinion of the black Problem Solutions to the Problem, / Of course, grip (22-23). By applying personification the speaker is able to reveal to the reader that, unfortunately, both factions agree on all points the Problem is true the Problem warrants discussion but, the Problem is not a priority therefore, the Problem can wait.The speaker should be enraged by the apathy this stateme nt evokes, but instead he concedes To be a Problem on / Park Avenue at eight / Is not so bad (19-21). Through effective use of personification we achieve that the speaker likes being the thrust of the discussion, even if there is no solution in sight for the Problem. Additionally, the speakers persuasive use of imagery is tangible 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 discredited 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 subject of black culture the uneasy transition, almost tip-toeing aro und the topic, afraid to say too much. Then he turns around and relieves our anxiety by showing us how the Problem is enjoying being the center of attention, At the damask table, mine (18). The speakers narrative on imagery is used effectively 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 ploy by the speaker to elicit a clear-cut image of upper class white society where the black Problem should understandably 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, black and white, agree that there is a real Problem, no one is prepared for what the speaker r eveals at the end of the poem sitting around a dining room 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 neither white party goer nor black Problem sees the need for any 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.