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Post by Ms. Knarr on Apr 15, 2012 16:10:09 GMT -5
50-50
By Langston Hughes 1902–1967
I’m all alone in this world, she said,
Ain’t got nobody to share my bed,
Ain’t got nobody to hold my hand—
The truth of the matter’s
I ain’t got no man.
Big Boy opened his mouth and said,
Trouble with you is
You ain’t got no head!
If you had a head and used your mind
You could have me with you
All the time.
She answered, Babe, what must I do?
He said, Share your bed—
And your money, too.
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Post by nickchiarello on Apr 15, 2012 16:31:17 GMT -5
1. The poem "50/50" written by Langston Hughes explains that the overall message is that this man is looking at this woman for her physical attributes, whereas you should love someone for who they are. All the man wants is money and sex, the simple material things in the world that cause greed and chaos. However, in a relationship, it should not be about sex and money. It should be about how much love and care you have for that other person. This woman needs a head "Brain" to realize that there is more to relationships than just those features, and to not give in to the male dominance and obey him. She needs to be independent and find someone to care about her for who she really is.
2. I like this poem a lot. It explains how relationships aren't just to gain material possessions and sexual desires. Relationships are for people who care about one another and feel compassion for one another. Many problems in the world today occur because guys just want money, or sex. This poem brings about a good lesson to learn.
3.) 1. Do you think she will obey her babe and share her money and bed?
2. Do you think that the man actually has no head, and is only focused on money and sex?
3.Do you think the man wants to be with her for more than just money and her bed?
4. IS the guy brainwashing the girl, into thinking he is the best option for her?
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Post by matpolanco on Apr 15, 2012 19:30:49 GMT -5
Nick I agree with you 387 %. I think this girl is confused and she has been taken advantage of a lot in her life. She lets guys use her and stomp all over her. she is to the point where she is desperate for a man to love. She is also very gullible and vulnerable. She actually shows signs of a lack of parental unit as a child or maybe some sort of abuse.
I really Like this piece because it shows how when one is desperate, people try to take advantage. This is what the world is full of and I think it really shows how abusive relationships begin.
Nicks Fourth Q: I think he is in a way brainwashing her. She is willing to do anything to find a man to love and the guy notices that and takes advantage. All he is looking for is sex and money. and in a way he is saying that if she puts out sex and money she will find a good man for herself.
My Question: Do you think this woman shows signs of past prostitution?
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Post by nickchiarello on Apr 15, 2012 20:01:21 GMT -5
1. Mat i agree with you in your response to question 4. She is being brainwashed by this guy and he is taking advantage of this poor woman. He wants her to give him his material necessities and she is brainwashed to thinking it is the only way to find a real and loving man. However, she doesn't know that because her mind is closed and she is not thinking like in stanza 2, she is not using her mind.
2. Mat to answer your question i think it does show signs of past prostitution. The man says that she needs to open her mind, and her mind could be shut from all the sexual encounters she had. Maybe she doesn't know what a real loving man is like because she is so use to being a prostitute. She needs to open her mind and figure out what is right from wrong, and choose a appropriate guy that will love and treat her right.
Question- Do you think, that guys like the man she is with in the poem, is the only type of guy she has been use to all this time? And that she doesn't know what it feels like to be loved?
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Post by mikeriga on Apr 15, 2012 20:06:07 GMT -5
1.) I agree completely with the previous posts. The poem is about a girl who is trying a man who loves her for the way she is, however it is hard for her to find this rare man. The girl eventually becomes confused after being played in every relationship, and eventually asks a man why this is happening and what she can do to find this unique man. The man responds by saying sharing your bed and money. Hughes writes this to show how men were back then, and how they just wanted sex and money. The presence of love in relationships is lost, and in this poem Hughes reveals this perfectly.
2.) I personally do not like this poem because of two reasons. It shows men in a bad light and also women, I find this poem to be very stereotypical. Langston Hughes shows men as being very cunning who use trickery and this is shown when the male gains the females trust in stanza two, but then asks for her body and money. This shows men as only wanting those two things, and not love which is not true. For women, it shows them as being stupid, gullible, and foolish. I believe Langston Hughes had a lot of problems with his love relationships, and tries to convince the audience that all men are evil except for himself.
3.) To answer Mat I think it does, because how could she get her money? If she previously had a husband, which would explain the money, then she wouldn't be asking these questions. It would be more like why would do guys not like me, is it because of my age? I'm not saying she was a prostitute, but it would explain why she has money and why she talks about someone loving her for the way she is.
4.) My question: Why is this poem titled, "50-50?"
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