Night Funeral in Harlem
Night Funeral in Harlem - meaning Summary
Communal Dignity Amid Poverty
Langston Hughes' "Night Funeral in Harlem" depicts a community-organized burial for a poor young man. The poem contrasts material scarcity—lapsed insurance, a paid preacher—with the collective care of friends who supply flowers, carry the coffin, and grieve openly. Hughes emphasizes communal dignity and sorrow: the funeral's outward show of respect is funded by modest means and heartfelt mourning rather than wealth, spotlighting solidarity amid economic hardship in Harlem.
Read Complete AnalysesNight funeral In Harlem: Where did they get Them two fine cars? Insurance man, he did not pay-- His insurance lapsed the other day-- Yet they got a satin box for his head to lay. Night funeral In Harlem: Who was it sent That wreath of flowers? Them flowers came from that poor boy's friends-- They'll want flowers, too, When they meet their ends. Night funeral in Harlem: Who preached that Black boy to his grave? Old preacher man Preached that boy away-- Charged Five Dollars His girl friend had to pay. Night funeral In Harlem: When it was all over And the lid shut on his head and the organ had done played and the last prayers been said and six pallbearers Carried him out for dead And off down Lenox Avenue That long black hearse done sped, The street light At his corner Shined just like a tear-- That boy that they was mournin' Was so dear, so dear To them folks that brought the flowers, To that girl who paid the preacher man-- It was all their tears that made That poor boy's Funeral grand. Night funeral In Harlem.
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