Pity Z Fool

          Mr. Z by M. Carl Holman is a sad poem. Holman's attitude toward Mr. Z was one of sadness. It is sadness because Mr. Z was tricked by society to become the person he was. Mr. Z was black and this conveys that the poem is satirizing society. Society believes that people should abandon their past so that they move on to bigger things. Society taught that being wealthy and successful was the only true happiness and fulfillment of life. Mr. Z was convinced of this and motivated himself to become wealthy and successful. At the same time, society condemned the color black. Essentially, Mr. Z became white so he could live out this false dream. In the end, he forsake his culture and heritage only to become: " 'One of the most distinguished members of his race.' " (Holman, 848). Furthermore, the ironies in the poem contribute to this loss of identity that society encourages. the last statement shows that he had tried to escape his past only to become a part of it once again. Additionally, Mr. Z is a general name as it refers to the many people that become confused by society's trickery.