I worked for a woman,
She wasn’t mean–
But she had a twelve-room
House to clean.

Had to get breakfast,
Dinner, and supper, too–
Then take care of her children
When I got through.

Wash, iron, and scrub,
Walk the dog around–
It was too much,
Nearly broke me down.

I said, Madam,
Can it be
You trying to make a
Pack-horse out of me?

She opened her mouth.
She cried, Oh, no!
You know, Alberta,
I love you so!

I said, Madam,
That may be true–
But I’ll be dogged
If I love you!

Analysis, meaning and summary of Langston Hughes's poem Madam And Her Madam

8 Comments

  1. C l a says:

    Lovely, weighty, serious, ironical, obscure /especially the final stanza/, reflection of the days of slavery. Craving for the explanation of the final stanza.

  2. mohammed says:

    i absolutely loved this poem ;*

  3. Scott says:

    Hey would anyone know of any good resources for a student writing a paper on Langstons Madam poems?

  4. James Stewart says:

    I really enjoyed this poem. I think that this peom expresses the theme: “When you are working for someone you should never develop a relationship other than that of employer and employee”. Langston Hughes is an incredible poet. There is usually so much in his poems no matter how short or long they might be.

  5. DKZ says:

    i really liked this poem.. and author too..
    if anyone wanna mail me u can mail me abt this poem
    i will be waiting

  6. joshua jackson says:

    When Langston Hughes wrote this poem, He must have thought about me I absolutley love this poem i have performed it 6 times at all of glynn middle school’s talent shows.

  7. Tori says:

    I love this poem also. But I heard another version of it…

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