Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

James Langston Hughes' poem "Buddy" presents a snapshot of the life of a young man navigating the harsh realities of economic struggle. The poem is brief, but its simplicity and directness convey a deep sense of empathy for the young man's situation. Through the lens of friendship, Hughes explores themes of financial hardship, familial obligation, and the limited freedom that comes with poverty.

The opening lines, "That kid's my buddy / still and yet • • ' / I don't see him much," set the tone of the poem. The speaker acknowledges a friendship that endures despite distance or lack of regular contact. The use of "still and yet" suggests a certain inevitability in their growing apart, hinting at the pressures that pull people away from their social circles, especially when economic survival is at stake. The phrase "I don't see him much" indicates that the demands of life, particularly work, have created a physical and perhaps emotional distance between the two friends.

The following lines, "He works downtown for Twelve a week," introduce the reader to the young man's financial situation. Earning only twelve dollars a week, the figure is strikingly low, even for the time period, and immediately conveys the severity of his economic constraints. The fact that he works "downtown" might suggest a bustling urban environment, yet his earnings are meager, emphasizing the disparity between the effort required to survive in the city and the inadequate compensation received for that labor.

Hughes then reveals the young man's responsibilities: "Has to give his mother Ten— / she says he can have / the other Two." This arrangement speaks volumes about the financial pressures faced by the young man's family. The mother, likely struggling to make ends meet, demands the majority of her son's earnings, leaving him with only two dollars. This division of money underscores the theme of familial obligation, where the son's income is vital to the family's survival, and his own needs must come second.

The final lines, "to pay his carfare, buy a suit, / coat, shoes, / anything he wants out of it," highlight the limitations of the two dollars left to the young man. With so little money, he is expected to cover his transportation costs and save for essential items like clothing. The phrase "anything he wants out of it" is poignant in its irony; the idea that this small amount could fulfill any desires beyond the bare minimum is almost tragic. The young man's freedom to pursue his own wants or needs is severely restricted by his financial situation, and the poem leaves the reader with a sense of the quiet desperation that underlies his daily life.

"Buddy" captures the essence of economic struggle in a few short lines, using the figure of the young man to represent the broader experience of many African Americans during the early 20th century. Hughes' poem is a commentary on the harsh realities of poverty, where even the closest relationships are affected by the demands of survival. The young man's situation is one of quiet endurance, and the poem subtly critiques a society where such endurance is necessary.

Through its simplicity, "Buddy" conveys a powerful message about the constraints of poverty and the sacrifices that come with it. Hughes' ability to evoke empathy and understanding in so few words is a testament to his skill as a poet, capturing the complex emotions and struggles of those living on the margins of society.

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