Poem Analysis - Sylvesters Dying Bed

A Celebratory Death

Langston Hughes' "Sylvester's Dying Bed" is a surprisingly celebratory poem about a man facing death. Despite the grim subject matter, the poem maintains a lighthearted and even boastful tone throughout most of its stanzas. The mood, while tinged with sadness and the inevitability of death, is ultimately focused on Sylvester's vibrant life and the affection he inspired. The shift in mood is subtle but marked by the finality of the last two lines where all descends into darkness. The poem is a bluesy farewell to life.

The Blues Aesthetic

Langston Hughes was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, and his work often reflected the African American experience, incorporating elements of blues and jazz music. "Sylvester's Dying Bed" is a prime example of this influence. The poem's language, rhythm, and themes of love, loss, and resilience are all characteristic of the blues tradition. The poem uses dialect ("ma do'," "a-moanin'") to create a sense of authenticity and place the story within a specific cultural context.

Love, Death, and Legacy

One of the poem's central themes is love, shown through the outpouring of grief from the women who surround Sylvester. The sheer number of women ("All the womens in town," "a hundred pretty mamas") suggests a man who was deeply loved and appreciated. The poem also confronts the theme of mortality. Sylvester is aware of his impending death, seeing the River Jordan and feeling his time is coming. However, he doesn't dwell on the sadness, but rather focuses on embracing life one last time. The poem celebrates Sylvester's legacy, which is not one of material wealth, but one of love and affection. He leaves behind a community of women who mourn his loss, demonstrating the impact he had on their lives.

The Muddy River Jordan

The image of the "River Jerden A-creepin' muddy past-" is a crucial symbol in the poem. The River Jordan traditionally symbolizes the passage from life to death in Christian theology. The addition of "muddy" complicates this symbolism, suggesting a less pristine or straightforward transition. Perhaps it implies that Sylvester's life, while full of love, was also complex or even flawed. It could also reflect the difficult realities of life for African Americans in the early 20th century. Is the muddy river a reflection of the hardship he faced, or does it simply suggest a realistic, unromanticized view of death?

Darkness and Light

The final two lines, "Then everything was darkness/In a great ... big ... night," mark a stark contrast to the earlier vibrant descriptions of love and affection. The repetition and elongation of "great ... big ... night" emphasizes the finality and overwhelming nature of death. This sudden shift from Sylvester's embrace of life to utter darkness underscores the poem's ultimate message: even the most beloved and vibrant individuals must eventually face the void. However, the memory of his life, his love, and his "Sweet Papa 'Vester" persona lingers, a testament to a life well-lived, even in the face of death.