Mister Johnson
-- Speaker (Line 1 et al.)

Importance: This refrain appears 12 times throughout the poem, beginning with the opening line and concluding at the penultimate line. Additionally, the line appears in three sets of four intercuts. Its initial introduction establishes who the narrator is speaking to and the central conceit of the poem. The effect is one of dizzying claustrophobia intended to confuse and waylay Mister Johnson.

That all you want is Fame?
-- Speaker (Line 4)

Importance: “Fame” is capitalized here despite being in the middle of the line. This is done elsewhere in the poem to highlight proper nouns or titles. This positions the concept of fame as something grandiose and, most importantly, enduring. The speaker’s semi-rhetorical question implies that although Mister Johnson will receive the fame he craves, that is all he will ever have.

I'm a pure / Undivining rod
-- Speaker (Lines 11-12)

Importance: This line uses contrasting imagery to describe the speaker as an inverted conduit of the divine. A...