50-50, Langston Hughes: Summary & Analysis

"50-50" by Langston Hughes is a concise yet thought-provoking poem that engages with themes of loneliness, transactional relationships, and societal power dynamics. Through a brief conversation between two characters, Hughes sheds light on the complexities of human connections and the underlying motivations that drive them. 50-50 by Langston Hughes 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. Summary In "50-50," a brief exchange unfolds between a woman and a character named Big Boy. The woman articulates her sense of isolation and yearning for companionship, confessing that she lacks a partner to share her bed and offer emotiona…