Summarize the poem "Madam and Her Madam" by Langston Hughes.

In this humorous poem by poet Langston Hughes, a woman named Alberta, who works as a household servant, speaks in the first person about the duties she is required to perform for her employer, whom she calls "Madam." The speaker must clean the 12-room house, cook three meals a day, take care of the children, walk the dog, and do the laundry. The speaker confronts her employer about the enormous work load, asking her whether...

In this humorous poem by poet Langston Hughes, a woman named Alberta, who works as a household servant, speaks in the first person about the duties she is required to perform for her employer, whom she calls "Madam." The speaker must clean the 12-room house, cook three meals a day, take care of the children, walk the dog, and do the laundry. The speaker confronts her employer about the enormous work load, asking her whether she is trying to make a "pack-horse" out of her. This question implies that the employer is taking advantage of Alberta, requiring her to do more work than is humanly possible or is kind.

The employer responds by denying the charge, and then professes her love for Alberta. In the humorous last stanza, Alberta acknowledges that her employer probably does love her, but that she does not return the sentiment. In fact, she says, "I'll be dogged if I love you." This is a euphemism and a slang term used for emphasis--there is no way an employee who is saddled with an impossible workload can be expected to love her oppressor.

One gets the impression that Alberta is a feisty and energetic woman who has been trying to do her best but finally comes to the conclusion that no matter how hard she tries, she will never be able to meet the unreasonable demands placed on her. The poem also fights against the stereotype of the cheerful black "help" on whom wealthy white women depended so that they would not have to lift a finger doing unpleasant tasks. This poem encourages overworked household staff to stand up for themselves and be honest about their limits and their feelings.