The Dancer

The titular dancer of “The Harlem Dancer” is the main subject of the poem. Although she is the main subject of the poem, she is objectified by the audience lusting after her. Indeed, the speaker describes an almost violent relationship between the spectators and the dancers as they “devoured” her with their “gaze” (12). The reader is never given access to her thoughts, for she is only described through the eyes of the speaker. However, according to the speaker, the dancer’s mind is really elsewhere. Thus, it is implied that the dancer does not really enjoy her work, and that she has subjectivity behind what the audience is consuming.

The Audience

The audience in the poem is described as eager and “passionate” as they lust after the dancer (12). They do not view her as human being, but as an object to be “devoured” (12). McKay is also careful...