The laughter that was once an escape is embedded with pain. Once I was wise. The narrator was wise in the beginning of the poem when he was able to wear the mask and mock the world of oppression. The narrator has been sent to the kitchen because it would be inappropriate for the black man to mingle with the white guests. For now he must retreat to the kitchen, laughing to keep from crying at the hurt.
Laughter is once again the only emotional outlet.
Laughter has become a defense mechanism against the hurt of rejection. The dream that one day the white people will realize their mistakes and the black people will no longer have to laugh in the face of oppression becomes the motivating factor for overcoming adversity. Laughter helps us deal with our pain and gives us the strength to move forward and triumph in the face of adversity. Laughter also functions with a double meaning in Jazz music. He begins this poem by describing jazz as music for all social classes and professions and ends it by commenting on its universal language and ability to bring people together in spite of their differences.