Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Relief," Langston Hughes reflects on the cyclical nature of economic hardship and the shared struggles of people across different backgrounds and geographies. The poem is a commentary on the universal experience of poverty and the specific challenges faced by African Americans during the Great Depression and the years that followed. Through his direct and conversational style, Hughes draws a parallel between his own experiences with government relief and the plight of others suffering abroad, emphasizing the commonality of their struggles.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing empathy: "My heart is aching / for them Poles and Greeks / on relief way across the sea." This opening line reveals a sense of solidarity with the Poles and Greeks who, like many others in war-torn Europe, are dependent on relief aid. Hughes immediately establishes a connection between the speaker's past experiences and those of others far away, suggesting that the pain of economic hardship transcends national boundaries.

The speaker’s empathy is rooted in personal experience: "because I was on relief / once in 1933." This reference to the year 1933 places the speaker’s hardship during the Great Depression, a time when many Americans, especially African Americans, faced severe economic difficulties. Relief, in this context, refers to government assistance programs designed to help those in desperate need. The speaker’s use of "once" indicates that this was a defining period in their life, a time of significant struggle that left a lasting impact.

Hughes continues by emphasizing the speaker's intimate knowledge of what "relief can be," noting, "it took me two years to get on WPA." The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was a New Deal agency that provided jobs to millions of unemployed Americans during the Depression. The fact that it took the speaker two years to get on the WPA underscores the bureaucratic challenges and delays that often accompanied government assistance programs, especially for marginalized communities. This line highlights the frustration and prolonged hardship that people endured while waiting for help.

The poem then shifts to a reflection on the impact of World War II: "If the war hadn't come along / I wouldn't be out the barrel yet." Here, Hughes suggests that the war, despite its horrors, provided economic opportunities that allowed some to escape the "barrel" of poverty. The phrase "out the barrel" evokes the idea of being trapped or stuck in a desperate situation, and the war, ironically, offered a way out for the speaker through increased employment opportunities in the wartime economy.

However, the relief is temporary, as the speaker acknowledges, "Now, I'm almost back in the barrel again." This line conveys a sense of inevitability and resignation, as the speaker recognizes that their return to poverty is imminent. The cyclical nature of economic hardship is a central theme in the poem, illustrating how, despite temporary relief, many people remain vulnerable to falling back into poverty.

The poem concludes with a stark and somewhat ambiguous statement: "To tell the truth, / if these white folks want to go ahead." This unfinished thought leaves the reader with a sense of unresolved tension. It could imply the speaker's awareness of the racial dynamics at play in the distribution of relief and opportunities, or it might reflect a weary acceptance of the ongoing struggles that African Americans faced, even as others moved forward.

"Relief" is a powerful meditation on the enduring nature of poverty and the shared experiences of those who have lived through it. Hughes uses the poem to connect individual suffering to a broader, collective experience, emphasizing that economic hardship is not just a personal issue but a societal one that affects people across different races, nations, and time periods. The poem's simplicity and directness make its message all the more poignant, as Hughes highlights the common humanity that unites those who have struggled to survive in difficult times.

Through this poem, Hughes also critiques the inadequacies of relief systems and the temporary nature of economic recovery for many, particularly African Americans. "Relief" serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges faced by those on the margins of society and the ways in which economic inequality continues to shape their lives.

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