Poem Analysis - When Sue Wears Red

Introduction: A Fiery Celebration of Beauty

Langston Hughes' "When Sue Wears Red" is a short but powerful ode to the captivating beauty of a woman named Susanna Jones. The poem uses vibrant imagery and a passionate tone to convey the speaker's intense admiration and almost spiritual reverence for Susanna. While the poem remains consistent in its praise, it crescendos in intensity, moving from a simple comparison to a burning, almost painful, love. The repeated invocation of "Jesus" acts as an exclamation of awe and wonder, amplifying the poem's emotional core.

Susanna's Red Radiance: Evoking History and Majesty

The poem's central image is Susanna Jones wearing red, which transforms her into something more than an ordinary woman. The color red itself is significant, often associated with passion, love, and power. The first stanza compares her face to an "ancient cameo," suggesting a timeless beauty refined by the ages. The phrase "turned brown with the ages" evokes a sense of history and enduring quality. The second stanza elevates Susanna further, portraying her as a "queen from some time-dead Egyptian night." This powerful image conjures a sense of regal authority and timeless elegance, highlighting the speaker's perception of Susanna as someone extraordinary and almost mythical. The historical references serve to amplify Susanna's inherent beauty, turning her into a figure of immense significance and wonder.

Love as a Consuming Fire: Passion and Pain

One of the main themes is the intensity of love and desire. The final stanza explicitly states that Susanna's beauty "burns in my heart a love-fire sharp like pain." This simile is particularly striking because it equates love with both warmth and suffering. The "love-fire" suggests a consuming passion that is both exhilarating and potentially destructive. The sharpness of the pain implies that the speaker's love is so profound it borders on overwhelming. The poem doesn't shy away from acknowledging the complex and sometimes painful nature of intense affection.

Symbolism of Trumpets and Divine Awe

The recurring image of trumpets, coupled with the invocation of "Jesus," serves as a powerful symbol of reverence and celebration. Trumpets are often associated with important announcements, royal processions, and religious ceremonies. In this context, they signify the speaker's profound respect and awe for Susanna's beauty. The repeated plea to "Jesus!" is not necessarily a strictly religious sentiment but rather an expression of overwhelming emotion. It suggests that Susanna's beauty is so powerful that it inspires a sense of the divine. Is the speaker calling on Jesus in praise, or begging for help to deal with the intense feelings that Susanna evokes?

Conclusion: An Enduring Testament to Beauty's Power

"When Sue Wears Red" is a testament to the transformative power of beauty and the intensity of human emotion. Through vivid imagery, historical allusions, and passionate language, Langston Hughes creates a portrait of a woman whose beauty inspires not just admiration but a near-religious fervor. The poem's significance lies in its ability to capture the overwhelming and sometimes painful nature of love, and its celebration of beauty as a force capable of transcending time and inspiring profound awe.