Why You Reckon

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Dramatic Analysis of “Why, You Reckon?”
“Why, You Reckon” written by Langston Hughes, is about one African American roaming the night streets in the freezing cold, hungry as ever and ended up passing another African American just like him and asked him “Say buddy, you wanta make a little jack?” (214) and he said “Sure,” “How?” (214)The other African American replies with a crazy idea of stickin up a guy by seeing the first white guy they see that comes out of the speakeasies and looks likes bucks. Anyone is willing to do anything to get food and money is seen to make happiness in lives.
During the 30’s, is where the Great Depression was ending, but World War II was starting, life got really hard for many people; especially African Americans. …show more content…
The narrator is the first African American walking down 133rd street in the snow being confronted from another African American. We are seeing the first African Americans point of view and what he thinks. On many occasions the narrator used I, we, me, to refer to him and also know an overabundance of information on the other African American and the white fellow, PeeDee McGill, III. We also get information on his thoughts as the short story unfolds, how he feels towards the white fellow, and the other African American. The narrator states “Indeed, I was!” (214) and “…I said alright, and we decided to do it.” (215) are both examples of the African American telling the short story form his own words. In the short story, you can tell the African American was nervous and scared to get caught, but he wanted food. Also, you can tell he had anger built up. However, the African American would not be considered an unreliable source due to the fact he is telling the short story from the past. He is looking back and telling us his point of view. He could forget certain details or make himself not look like the bad guy. “Well, sir, I aint never been mixed up in nothin’ wrong before nor since, and I don’t intend to be again, but I was hongry that night. Indeed I was!’ (214) and “ Depression times before the war plants opened up and money got to circulating again that Second World War had busted out.” (214) are examples of the African American telling us that he is about to tell us a story from the past. By using “nor, since” and “I don’t intend to be again,” show how the African American is using past tense and the story he is about to tell again is from the past, not
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