Commentary on Harlem Dancer

In the Harlem Dancer, the poet, Claude McKay, uses a Shakespearian Sonnet. This helps the poem in two different ways. First of all, it gives the poem a structure. A Shakespearian sonnet allows for a structure of 14 lines with 10 syllables in each. This gives the poem a structure to follow. This structure gives the poem a rhythm,  an integral part to this poem specifically. This poem is about dancing and singing, and the fact that the poem itself mirrors the rhythm of a dance lends to the theme. The iambic pentametre used by the poem gives the poem a rhyming structure, and lends itself to the theme of singing in the poem. The rhythmic cycle and rhyming structure is almost lyrical, and blends into the idea of a party very well.

A major theme that I interpreted in the poem is one of calm and strength. Throughout the piece, Claude McKay refers to her coldness, and her strength of stature. One line refers to her grace and calm. He mentions how to him she appears to be a proudly-swaying palm. This again gives us the image of strength. She is not distracted by the onlookers, and only seems to be performing from her heart, giving again an appearance of confidence and control.

Another motif that I dwell on while reading the poem is its use of metaphor. In the third and fourth line, metaphor is used to describe the womans voice. However, the metaphor used gives no room for misunderstanding. It describes a very singular sound, that of blended flutes being blown on a picnic day. I believe that this means a jazz-style melody, a very feminine one, as that is what I take from the metaphor.  This is a very exact feeling, something that the poet describes. This, along with the other metaphors used in the  poem help you to feel the exact feelings that the poet was feeling, and makes for a better and more profound experience while reading the poem