Bryan Banks

M. Kelley

SWC 100

July 26, 2009

Jesse B. Simple: A Man from Many Walks of Life

When discussing the character in Langston Hughes’s book The Best of

Simple, it is extremely difficult to categorize him. From creative and crazy to

realistic and blunt, Hughes has created a unique figure in this book to represent

every man who has endured the hardships during the Jim Crow era. Jesse B. Simple

is a low-class, underprivileged yet hard-working individual living in Harlem. Hughes

illustrates Simple as a character who has faced several obstacles over the course of

his life. Simple is a man whose lifestyle has been shaped by harsh and unfortunate

experiences of his past. Hughes takes the reader on a journey through the life of

this extraordinary man as we follow the story of Jesse B. Simple’s astonishing

moments while struggling to get by in 1950’s Harlem.

You would not have to know Jesse Simple personally to relate to his lifestyle.

“IF YOU want to know about my life, don’t look at my face, don’t look at my hands.

Look at my feet and see if you can tell how long I been standing on them” (Hughes

1). In the immediate opening of the story, the character of Simple captures the

reader’s attention by giving an analogy of his life to his shoes, which is a very

interesting start to the book. Right away, it causes the reader to gain a feeling of

anxiety toward wanting to get to know more about the life of this character named

Simple. “This right foot of mine broke out that window in the Harlem riots right
smack in the middle. Didn’t no other foot in the world break that window but mine.

And this left foot carried me off running as soon as my right foot came down”

(Hughes 3). Simple is a man who has been through many tough walks in life, walks

that not anyone could sustain on their own two feet. By examining and analyzing

Simple’s feet, one could understand that it was not easy to live in the 1950’s South.

Simple, who is from Virginia, knows that anyone who has ever lived down there had

to have courage to overcome the pain and suffering from all of the racism. Blacks

were clearly at a disadvantage, which meant that they had to work twice as hard

just to catch up and get on track. “I didn’t learn much, which is why I have to run

my feet off all day long and work hard. What your head don’t understand your feet

will” (Hughes 69). Simple refers to his feet again, giving a clearer understanding as

to what his feet represent.

After hearing Simple tell many of his stories throughout the book, it became

quite obvious that Simple had encountered several tough obstacles during the

course of his time, including issues dealing with white folks in relation to prejudice.

Simple’s attitude toward the white population is and probably always will be a

negative attitude. “I have been up North a long time, but it looks like I just cannot

learn to like white folks (Hughes, “There Ought to be a Law 61).” Simple often

refers to Jim Crow in his stories to refer to his disliking of the way blacks were

treated by whites. Though Simple may at times tell his stories in a calm and relaxed

mood, he will usually get more personal as his stories go on, which helps to get his

point across to the narrator as well as the reader more effectively. The author’s

intention for Simple’s tone and dialect is to get the reader to sympathize with

Simple. “I have been fired, laid off, and last week given an indefinite vacation, also

Jim Crowed, segregated, barred out, insulted, eliminated, called black, yellow, and
red, locked in, locked out, locked up, also left holding the bag. In my time I have

been caught – but I am still here” (Hughes, “Final Fear” 60). The emotion put into

these words stated by Simple express a deep feeling of years of pain and suffering

that he has gone through. The statement really signifies Simple’s attitude toward

his past life, seeming how he has gone through so many obstacles.

In reference to Simple Prays a Prayer, it was seen how Simple can get in

touch with his peaceful side at times. Despite his hatred of white folks, particularly

those who abide by Jim Crow laws, Simple decides to pray for them anyhow,

expressing indirectly how he would like for black and white folks to get along

regardless of the unfriendly past between the two different races. “I would pray a

don’t-want-to-have-no-more-wars prayer” was said by Simple, showing that Simple

has forgotten about the past and all of the slavery and Jim Crowing that was a part

of his background. He is ready to move forward toward a change in how people are

treated. It gives the sense that Simple would like to someday see the world at a

peaceful standpoint amongst the black and white population (Hughes 7). Surely,

Simple does not turn out to be this man who seems to be some type of peacemaker.

It is very ironic how not too much further in the book, Simple begins to make

racial comments and does not tend to give off a peaceful vibe. “I would not mind a

war if I could win it. White folks fight, lynch, and enjoy themselves” (Hughes 22).

Simple in fact would rather fight and have war just to feel like he has gotten even

with white folks rather than just move forward from all of the hatred and hostility.

Comparing both Simple Prays a Prayer and A Toast to Harlem, Simple appears to

contradict himself, as he mentions both how he would like to see peace as well as

colored and whites folks living like neighbors, then turns around and mentions how

he wishes war were still going on. Simple also states how the narrator talks about
what it ought to be, but does not believe that change will come as long as the

situation between colored folks and whites remain the same. “You’re talking about

what ought to be. But as long as what is is – and Georgia is Georgia – I will take

Harlem for mine. At least, if trouble comes, I will have my own window to shoot

from” (Hughes 23). Simple apparently is not happy with the circumstances that he

feels that his people must face due to many white folks still abiding by Jim Crow

laws. This makes it harder for the reader to interpret just what kind of character

Simple really is. The author has created two images of Simple: 1. A black guy living

in Harlem who cannot let go of the past and feels that unfair treatment requires

payback and 2. An ordinary guy who struggles in Harlem but is willing to put forth

the effort to let bygones be bygones and continue on into a better future.

The argument of who Simple really is continues to arouse the question of

“how does the author want me to feel toward Simple.” The easy to love Simple is

unquestionably a man to sympathize for, but it is mysterious how he and the

narrator relate to each other. The narrator may be an exact opposite of what

Simple stands for. Simple does not categorize white folks and believes that they all

should be punished. “Well, when Christ comes back this time, I hope He comes

back mad His own self. I hope he drives the Jim Crowers out of their high places,

every living last one of them from Washington to Texas! I hope he smites white

folks down!” (Hughes 10). The author, however, believes that the good and the bad

white folks are distinguishable. Simple goes out to bars all the time to hang out,

gambles, and meets girls even though he has a wife. The author on the other hand

does not approve of Simple’s behavior and his mannerism toward females. These

two figures of the story are completely opposite, yet Simple’s effect grows on the

narrator throughout the story, and the two slowly build upon a connection. The
author’s purpose in creating two opposite characters is primarily to get the reader

to put themselves in the narrator’s shoes. The narrator was not relating to Simple,

allowing the reader an opportunity to be in a position where they have to relate to

Simple’s point of view. As the story grows, not only does the narrator come around

to Simple’s way of thinking and style of living, but the reader also connects to

Simple, realizing his growth in maturity.

Definitely, it is entirely the reader’s understanding of Simple that will help to

either sympathize for him or oppose his way of thinking. The author has indeed

made Simple this outspoken, passionate yet sort of cold-blooded character for a

reason. Hughes could have chosen Simple to be any ordinary person living in

Harlem to take the role of Simple. However, it is Jesse Simple who has the perfect

character traits and suitable background that makes it easy for a reader to relate. It

is because Simple has gone through all that he has gone through that the reader

should feel sympathy for him. When a man has had enslaved grandparents,

ancestors who were brought from Africa to America to be put to work and treated

worse than an animal, and an unhappy wife who is desperate for a divorce, then it is

easy to relate to the pain and suffering that he has been through. The author

leaves no other choice for the reader but to feel what Simple has felt for the

majority of his lifetime. Troubled by his deepest fears of an unbearable past that

continues to haunt him, Jesse B. Simple prolongs to battle his inner emotions as he

struggles to gain peace and pursue happiness.

 Work Cited

Hughes, Langston. “A Toast to Harlem.” The Best of Simple. 1961. New York: Hill
and Wang, 1992.

20-23

“Feet Live Their Own Life.” The Best of Simple. 1961. New York: Hill and
Wang, 1992. 1-3

“Final Fear.” The Best of Simple. 1961. New York: Hill and Wang, 1992. 57-
61

“Income Tax.” The Best of Simple. 1961. New York: Hill and Wang, 1992.
64-69

“Simple Prays a Prayer.” The Best of Simple. 1961. New York: Hill and
Wang, 1992. 6-10

“There Ought to be a Law.” The Best of Simple. 1961. New York: Hill and

Wang, 1992. 61-64