Class 9 3rd poem Madam and Her Madam By Langston Hughes

 Madam and Her Madam 

By Langston Hughes 

 

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!

 

About the Poet: Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes (1902–1967) was an African American poet, novelist, playwright, and social activist. He was one of the most important figures of the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that celebrated Black art, literature, and identity in the 1920s and 1930s. Hughes wrote about the lives, struggles, and dreams of ordinary African Americans. His works often highlight issues of racial injustice, inequality, and social exploitation, while also celebrating Black culture and resilience. Known for his simple yet powerful style, Hughes used humor, irony, and music-like rhythms in his poetry.

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Short Summary of Madam and Her Madam

The poem Madam and Her Madam by Langston Hughes portrays the exploitation of domestic workers, especially Black women, during the early 20th century. The speaker, Alberta, works for a woman who is not intentionally cruel but demands too much from her. Alberta has to clean a twelve-room house, cook three meals a day, care for children, do laundry, scrub floors, and even walk the dog. The endless labor nearly breaks her down.

When Alberta protests, asking if her employer is trying to make a "pack-horse" out of her, the Madam responds with false affection, saying she loves Alberta. However, Alberta boldly replies that while the Madam may claim to love her, she certainly does not return that love.

The poem reflects themes of labor exploitation, hypocrisy of employers, class difference, and the struggle for dignity. It gives voice to the frustration of workers whose humanity is overlooked in favor of their service. Hughes uses humor and irony to criticize social inequality, making the poem both sharp and memorable

Synonyms of Difficult Words

1.      Mean

o    Synonyms: cruel, harsh, unkind

o    Nepali: कठोर, निर्दयी

2.      Twelve-room house

o    Synonyms: big house, mansion, residence

o    Nepali: ठूलो घर, हवेली

3.      Supper

o    Synonyms: evening meal, dinner, night meal

o    Nepali: रातको खाना

4.      Take care (of)

o    Synonyms: look after, attend, supervise

o    Nepali: हेरचाह गर्नु

5.      Scrub

o    Synonyms: clean, wash, scour, rub hard

o    Nepali: घस्नु, सफा गर्नु

6.      Pack-horse

o    Synonyms: beast of burden, overloaded worker, drudge

o    Nepali: भारी बोक्ने जनावर, भार बोक्ने मान्छे

7.      Opened her mouth (idiomatic use)

o    Synonyms: spoke, replied, answered

o    Nepali: बोल्न थालिन्, जवाफ दिइन्

8.      Dogged

o    Synonyms: stubborn, determined, persistent

o    Nepali: जिद्दी, अडिग

9.      Broke me down

o    Synonyms: exhausted me, wore me out, weakened me

o    Nepali: थकित बनायो, कमजोर पार्यो

 a. Was the Madam not really mean? Why does the speaker say ‘she wasn’t mean’?

Yes, the Madam was not really mean. The speaker says “she wasn’t mean” to show that the Madam did not intend to be cruel or harsh, but she still demanded too much work from the maid.

b. Make a list of works that the maid had to do.
The maid had to:

• Clean a twelve-room house
• Prepare breakfast, dinner, and supper
• Take care of the Madam’s children
• Wash, iron, and scrub clothes
• Walk the dog

c. What made her nearly break down?
The maid was nearly broken down because the amount of work was overwhelming and exhausting. She had to complete all household chores, care for children, and manage other duties, leaving her physically and mentally exhausted.

d. How did the Madam respond to the maid’s question?
When the maid asked if she was being treated like a “pack-horse,” the Madam responded by saying, “Oh, no! You know, Alberta, I love you so!” She tried to show affection instead of admitting the workload was too much.

e. What will the maid do if she loves her Madam?
The maid replied that even if the Madam says she loves her, she would be stubborn and would not return the same kind of affection. She refuses to let love blind her to the hard work and exploitation.

 

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