The Harlem Dancer

The Harlem Dancer by Claude McKay, makes use of the literary terms, metaphors, diction and irony among others to set the tone and overall theme of his sonnet.

The theme of the poem shows itself strikingly in the irony of the couplet at the end of the sonnet.

But,looking at her falsely-smiling face
I knew her self was not in that strange place.

The poet is one of many youths lapping up the erotic song and dance routine of a young prostitute. So captivated is he by her mesmirizing performance that his senses focus on her voice and her young sexually attractive body. Only at the end he makes the epiphany that she is putting on a false show of happiness and engagement for the sake of the drunk audience who fail to look beyond the glitz and false smiles. The young prostitute has sold her soul to the devil for reasons known to her but could be due to economic need. While she is ready to give her body to the audience for a paycheck she keeps her heart, emotions,and her soul to herself as these are commodities not for sale. And here lies the irony as the audience in their eagerness fail to recognize that she is not revealing all to them and had duped them to part with their money on false pretences. She gives them a fantasy but the reality is far removed from this fantasy. Further, irony is shown in the choice of words to describe her such as "danced gracefully and calm". You may be mistaken to think the audience is watching a graceful ballet dancer giving an elegant performance in the opera house, instead of a highly erotic dance to feed the rowdy audience in a seedy, backstreet smoke filled dark club of dubious nature.

Further irony is further portrayed by the usage of metaphors.
/similes which helps to set the tone and theme.

" her voice was like the sound of blended flutes
Blown by black players upon a picnic day'

Her voice is being compared to blended flutes which conjures up the imagery of the Pied Piper of Hamlin who was able to hyptonize rats into following him. Here the rats are the uncouth youth who come to look at a cheap show for their own satisfaction. While the flutes signify dignity of a sophisticated recital the truth belies this. The imagery of picnic day allows us to think of the outdoors on a bright Summers day where children with their families play happily. This is in stark contrast to a musty nightclub in the wee hours of the morning where families would be tucked in bed safely at home not gawking at scantily clad ladies of the night.

Another metaphor is striking in it's usage,

"to me she seemed proudly swaying palm
Grown lovelier for passing through the storm"

The imagery again reveals daytime and the beach setting. The storm refers to the blowing breeze that dishevels the palm in the same way the prostitute who is working long hours is now disheveled in appearance but loses none of her appeal as this look adds to her sexuality. Like her a palm stand alone and tall and is difficult to touch the fruits she bears and proudly displays. The storm may also refer to the storm that rages within her which denotes her unhappiness and is hidden by her outward calm.

The diction is used to show the overall sexual tone of this sonnet. The audience are high testosterone youths drugged by sexual desires. This is shown by, "tossing coins in praise", and "eager passionate gaze " they are lusting after a woman they have objectified. They believe her she exists only to fulfill their desires and have no regard for her feelings or any respect for her. Their lust is shown by "wine flushed bold eyed boys " this shows that the boys are young and do not yet have maturity or the wisdom of age. They follow their hormones and basic carnal instincts with gay abandon. However, such is her power that " even the girls" are amazed at this creature that can with her magnetism captivate an audience into submission. Use of "devoured " again brings the image of animalistic nature in the same way a carnivore devours it's victims the prey. 

And here lie the real irony and theme of this sonnet. The actual victims are the audience who have fallen for the sexual prowess of a prey that teases and taunts them while keeping her distance and is far removed from the debauchery of their antics.

"I knew her self was not in that strange place"

Often prostitutes and strippers are thought of badly by the general public. And yet their lives remain a fascination to us, and so many books aand movies are inspired by their lives. I remember watching the Bollywood mmovie Umrao Jaan and reading the book Lace. Both detail young girls sold into prostitution for no fault of their own but circumstances that lead them to lead this unhappy life. We often hear about human trafficking and hear stories of child abuse that forces women to make lifestyle choices they themselves do not approve of. Rather than condemning we need to understand and help these women support themselves with dignity.