Relationship between Mrs. Ellsworth and Oceola

Hey everyone! In this week’s readings, I found Langston Hughes’ short story “The Blues I’m Playing” very interesting. Also, I felt that it was in some ways, similar to James Weldon Johnson’s “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man”. In both stories, I feel as though the black, less-fortunate character is being manipulated by the non-colored, wealthy character. In both pieces of literature, the non-colored character is controlling and manipulating the actions of the non-colored character. In “The Blues I’m Playing”, on many occasions, Mrs. Ellsworth tries to control and dictate Oceola’s life and decisions. For example, Mrs. Ellsworth tries to convince Oceola to move out of her little flat and away from her roomer Pete Williams. Mrs. Ellsworth feels as though “the poor child [Oceola] is being preyed upon” and therefore, she must “get her out of Harlem at once.” (1318). I also found it very surprising how much Mrs. Ellsworth believed that art could replace love and relationships. For example, she says that Oceola “won’t need him [Pete Williams]. She will have her art” (1318). I was however very surprised to see that Oceola did not let Mrs. Ellsworth sway her decision to marry Pete.

My question for you all is whether or not you feel as though Mrs. Ellsworth (or in the case of Johnson, the millionaire) truly cared for Oceola’s development as a black individual or if she had a hidden agenda. It was very nice and generous of Mrs. Ellsworth to pay for so many things for Oceola however I wonder what Mrs. Ellsworth “intentions” truly were. Maybe they really were genuine. Maybe Mrs. Ellsworth simply wanted a better life for Oceola. Or maybe, she wanted Oceola to change into someone more like her. What do you guys think? Do you feel as though Mrs. Ellsworth allowed Oceola to live her own life or do you think she was too controlling?