No palm me up, you dutty brute
-- Midnight Woman (Line 1)

Importance: The poem begins with this declarative statement from its speaker. By beginning here, McKay invites his reader to grapple with the poem's language. The speaker's statement is obviously not in standard English, but it is easily comprehensible. It also displays the expressive power of Jamaican Patois – for instance, in the phrase "palm me up" instead of the more straightforward "touch me" that would be the English equivalent (1). It also clearly introduces the poem's conflict.

You' jam mout' mash like ripe bread-fruit
-- Midnight Woman (Line 2)

Importance: This second line introduces several important themes and the characterization of the protagonist. A rough translation would be "your damned mouth is all squished up, like ripe bread-fruit." In addition to the comedic power of the insult, this line contributes to the world-building of the poem. Bread-fruit is a staple crop in Jamaica, particularly of the poor. Its introduction here links the...