Explication !

"Snob"
By Langston Hughes

If your reputation
In the community is good
Don’t snub the other fellow-
It might be misunderstood-
Because a good reputation
Can commit suicide
By holding his head
Too far to one side.

This poem is about those who may have a good reputation but then let it get to their heads and then are seen as snobs. This poem is something that most people can relate to whether they are the one who is seen as a snob or if they are the other fellow that has been “snubbed.” We have all at some point been the other fellow that has been snubbed by someone who is seen as a snob. I don’t really understand what Langston Hughes means by “It might be misunderstood…” it almost seems that snubbing someone could be a good thing but it misunderstood to be a bad thing. I think the last line “too far to one side” suggests that those who see their way is the only war are considered snobbish by Hughes. Someone who cannot see the other sides to things, except their own, are the ones with the good reputations that are “snubbing the other fellows.” I think this poem is Hughes way of showing his anger towards those who held their head too far to one side in regards to African Americans and their rights. This poem shows the mostly one sided society that was against African Americans forming their own identities and embracing their roots and culture. Hughes Poem "Snob" shows his resentment towards those who did not agree with African Americans embracing these identities and being able to form and celebrate their own culture.