Madam and the Census Man
Madam and the Census Man - meaning Summary
Identity and Dismissal
This short poem depicts a woman asserting her name when a census taker tries to record it. The exchange over her middle initial exposes a power imbalance: the official questions and corrects, while she resists elaboration, insisting on the simple letter. The moment highlights themes of identity, authority, and dignity in a mundane bureaucratic encounter, suggesting how small acts of naming can resist erasure or control.
Read Complete AnalysesThe census man, The day he came round, Wanted my name To put it down. I said, JOHNSON, ALBERTA K. But he hated to write The K that way. He said, What Does K stand for? I said, K-- And nothing more. He said, I'm gonna put it K
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