# Elevator Boy explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Langston Hughes.

## What happens

A young man reflects on his dead-end job running an elevator at the Dennison Hotel in Jersey, expressing disillusionment with the lack of money and opportunity, and contemplating quitting after feeling trapped in a monotonous cycle.

## Themes in this chapter

### Urban Life and Alienation

The elevator boy's repetitive work in a hotel symbolizes the isolating and dehumanizing nature of urban labor.

### Poverty and Class Struggle

The speaker's lack of money and the precariousness of his job highlight the struggles of the working poor.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker, an elevator boy, narrates his dissatisfaction with his job and his longing for better luck.

## Key lines

> I got a job now Runnin’ an elevator In the Dennison Hotel in Jersey.

I have a job operating an elevator at the Dennison Hotel in New Jersey.

_Establishes the setting and the speaker's occupation._

> Job ain’t no good though. No money around.

But the job is not worthwhile; there is no money to be made.

_Expresses the speaker's dissatisfaction and financial hardship._

> Only the elevators Goin’ up an’ down, Up an’ down, Or somebody elses’ shoes To shine, Or greasy pots in a dirty kitchen.

All there is are elevators moving endlessly, or shining other people's shoes, or washing greasy pots in a filthy kitchen.

_Highlights the monotony and menial nature of the available work._

> I been runnin’ this Elevator too long. Guess I’ll quit now.

I have been operating this elevator for too long. I think I will quit.

_Conveys the speaker's decision to leave his job out of frustration._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se/chapters/elevator-boy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se/chapters