Explication of “The Harlem Dancer” The poem “The Harlem Dancer” is a story of a man in a nightclub in Harlem, New York. It is a poem of the observations he makes, not only of the dancer he is watching, but also the individuals around him viewing the dancer. It doesn't classify the situation as good or bad but instead it sends a message that even new things can become the norm eventually. The poem is about how everyone views situations differently. It begins with the youths and their prostitutes viewing this dancer and how they are applauding and based on the fact the word ‘applauding’ is written in capital letters, it suggests that this group of onlookers were rather obnoxious in their appreciation of the dancer. The author then moves …show more content…
Jazz was a genre that was becoming popular in Harlem during the 1920’s which was created mostly by African Americans and it was favoured by pretty much everyone. The dancers beautiful voice was just as loved as jazz music by audiences. After touching on the voice, the poem moves to the dancers form, “To me she seemed a proudly-swaying palm, Grown lovelier for passing through a storm.” It is conveyed in the poem that the dancer is confident in her current situation. In her work, she had grown, worked hard to get to where she is, and is passionate about her work. The poem then moves back to the audience in lines 11 and 12 saying, “The wine-flushed, bold-eyed boys, and even the girls, Devoured her with their eager, passionate gaze.” The audience was obviously intoxicated due to their previously mentioned obnoxious behavior as well as the mention of wine in the poem. This line says that the audience is very interested in the show, the presence of alcohol is likely contributing to most of their interest but nonetheless everyone is passionate about what they are viewing. This is clearly a look but don’t touch establishment which is why they are ‘devouring her with their gaze’ they are unable to use their hands but their minds have no