Madam and the Rent Man – Langston Hughes

 

The rent man knocked. /t/  a
He said, Howdy-do?           b
I said, What                        a (slant rhyme)
Can I do for you?               b
He said, You know             c
Your rent is due.                 b

I said, Listen,                      d
Before I'd pay                     e
I'd go to Hades                   f
And rot away!                     e

The sink is broke,                g
The water don't run,            h
And you ain't done a thing   i
You promised to've done.    h

Back window's cracked,      a
Kitchen floor squeaks,         j
There's rats in the cellar,     k
And the attic leaks.              j

He said, Madam,                 l
It's not up to me.                  m
I'm just the agent,                n
Don't you see?                     m 

I said, Naturally,                   o
You pass the buck.              p
If it's money you want          n
You're out of luck                 p.

He said, Madam,                 l
I ain't pleased!                     a
I said, Neither am I.             q
So we agrees!                      f    

***This is one of a number of Madam poems by Langston Hughes

 

1.      Which of the following would you say to Madam and why?

a.      Wait a minute, Madam – you might be evicted.

b.      Why are you picking on the agent? It’s not his fault.

c.      You tell him, Madam!

2.      Who is the speaker of this poem?

3.      What is her argument with the rent man?

4.      What does “pass the buck” mean? How has the rent man passed the buck?

5.      Do you think this poem has a message? Explain.

6.      What tone do you hear expressed in this poem? Think of both the speaker and the rent man.

7.      The woman in the poem speaks plainly and bluntly. Do you think she is right speaking this way? Explain.

8.      Write an appreciation.