“Insurance man, he did not pay— / His insurance lapsed the other day— / Yet they got a satin box for his head to lay.”
The quote illustrates the harsh reality of poverty and inequality in Harlem when the poem was written. It suggests that even though the deceased did not have valid insurance to cover the costs of a proper funeral, the community came together to ensure he received a dignified burial. The "satin box" reference implies that the deceased was provided with a high-quality casket despite his financial hardships. This highlights the solidarity and resilience of the community where people are willing to support each other in times of need even when faced with economic challenges. The lines also carry a tone of irony as they emphasize the paradoxical situation where a person without insurance still receives a lavish farewell.
“Them flowers came / from that poor boy's friends— / They'll want flowers, too, / When they meet their ends.”
The quote highlights the poignant reality of the cycle of life and death in the Harlem community. The flowers sent to the funeral were a gesture of respect and mourning from the deceased person's friends, emphasizing the support and camaraderie within the community. However, the line also suggests that those who sent the flowers are likely to face their mortality someday and they too will need similar gestures of remembrance and support when they pass away. It underscores the idea that death is an inevitable part of life and the bonds formed within the community will be tested and reaffirmed by the shared experience of loss.
“Old preacher man / Preached that boy away— / Charged Five Dollars / His girl friend had to pay.”
This quote is a commentary on the commercialization and exploitation of death within the Harlem community. The "Old preacher man" is likely a clergyman who conducts the funeral service for the deceased boy. While his role is typically associated with offering spiritual guidance and solace during times of grief, the fact that he charges a fee of "Five Dollars" for his services suggests a more transactional and profit-oriented approach. This underscores the economic struggles faced by the community where even while mourning, individuals are burdened with financial obligations. The reference to the deceased man's girlfriend had to pay emphasizes the hardship and financial strain placed on those closest to the deceased.
“It was all their tears that made / That poor boy's / Funeral grand.”
This quote underscores the importance of community and the collective emotional investment in the funeral. The "poor boy" who has passed away may not have had significant material wealth as suggested earlier in the poem with his insurance issues but what makes his funeral "grand" is the outpouring of grief and support from the community. The tears shed by the mourners, their shared sorrow, and their willingness to come together to honor the deceased create a sense of dignity and significance for the young man's farewell. This line emphasizes that the true value of the funeral lies not in extravagant displays of wealth but in the genuine emotions and solidarity of the community.
