The Poor Mr. Z

In M. Carl Holman's Mr. Z, the main focus of the poem is in an unfortunate situation.  He has been told throughout his life he is inferior simply because of his mother's skin color.  He struggled to find his place, as both the black and white culture didn't want him.  He worked hard to break the racial rules and move up in the world, but it seemed like he was always unable to do so.  Changing his diet and behavior to conform with the practices of white culture allowed him to gain some respect, but not enough to be considered an equal.  He further isolated himself when he married a Jewish girl.  This girl also seems to be of mixed descent, being both Jewish but Episcopalian.  It seems as if every aspect of this man's life has been a fight to be accepted as normal, but he cannot achieve this with black blood in him.  The saddest part was the end, when it was said he was "One of the most distinguished members of his race" (Holman).  This shows that no matter what he did, he was always going to simply be identified by the color of his skin.