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December 21st, 2009 - we have 234 poets, 8,023 poems and 18,092 comments.
Analysis and comments on The Raggedy Man by James Whitcomb Riley

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Comment 11 of 21, added on April 24th, 2006 at 7:53 PM.

My dad loves this poem.

daisy from United States
Comment 10 of 21, added on April 3rd, 2006 at 4:22 PM.

I also remember my 3rd grade teacher reading this poem to me in my Memphis
schoolroom in the 1950's. I have an old copy of the book that was
copyrighted 1907. It is the most beautiful book with illustrations that I
have ever seen. The pictures are like fine watercolors and the picture of
the Raggedy Man is nothing like we have all imagined. He is a young
looking, almost boyish white man who wears a suit and vest with a yellow
straw hat. His white shirt is collarless and when he is depicted without
his jacket, he has on suspenders. The book has several chapters namely, The
Man in the Moon, The Bumblebee, The Old Tramp, Our hired Girl, (Lizabuth
Ann), The Hired Man's Faith in Children, and The Raggedy Man on
Children.What a rich memory we all share in this gentle poem and way of
life. Blessings.

Ginger Johnson from United States
Comment 9 of 21, added on February 27th, 2006 at 8:17 AM.

my mom would read Riley poetry and stories to us as we were growing up and
now as an adult I am making dolls of some of his characters. To
everyone...what does the Raggedy Man look like to you? Black or white,
young or old. What drawings I have seen he appears too young and dressy. I
see him as an old rag-wearing man, sun browned or many an ex-slave type,
bent and worn. Any ideas out there?

sue from United States
Comment 8 of 21, added on January 29th, 2006 at 7:18 PM.

I am 52 and my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Curtis used to set on the corner of
her desk and recite this wonderful poem to us. I had almost forgotten
about it until my 9 year old daughter is being asked to memorize and recite
a poem for her English class. Immediately I thought of the poem, The
Raggedy Man that I had loved so much. I have shown her this poem and she
loves it. I guess that things come full circle. I noticed that Dee from
the United States, who is also 52 had a fifth grade teacher that used to
read this lovely poem to the class. It would be fun if we had been in the
same class with the same teacher. Thanks for helping me find the poem
again.

Susann Hepler Maidlow from United States
Comment 7 of 21, added on January 27th, 2006 at 9:53 PM.

Oh, how wonderful to find this poem! My father used to read this to my
twin brother and me so often, he didn't actually need the Childcraft book
from which he read it (although I believe that version was shorter, it was
well illustrated). The books have since moved on through my children and
are with my eldest grandchildren now and they too enjoy this wonderful
work. This poem has been such a wonderful legacy for my family to share.
Younger children love it for its imaginitive phrasing and the elder ones
learn to appreciate it for its creative language and poetry form. My
father is now 80 and can still quote the entire thing! What a blessing
that it's still well loved and now easily accessed on your site.
Thank you!

Elaine Isenberg from United States
Comment 6 of 21, added on January 16th, 2006 at 9:42 PM.

I am 52 years old and one of my teachers read this poem to us in 5th grade.
It has always been my favorite. I love it so much, that I named one of my
daughters Elizabeth Ann.

Dee from United States
Comment 5 of 21, added on August 29th, 2005 at 9:03 PM.

When I was teaching creative writing, my students would ask me if the
grammer, punctuation, and spelling would count . I would read this poem to
them, then read it again in perfect form. Then I would ask them if it had
the same effect in perfect form. They understood that sometimes perfection
can be sidestepped in the interest of a feeling or literary effect. It
freed them to explore their own style.

Betty Lou from United States
Comment 4 of 21, added on June 8th, 2005 at 4:37 PM.

This poem was so totally rad! I am so touched by this poem i have shared it
with my friends and they to love it too! I can not say thanks to many times
so thank alot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kim from United States
Comment 3 of 21, added on May 28th, 2005 at 6:15 AM.

I am now 55 yrs old, and when I was in the 7th grade, my favorite teacher
used to read this poem to the whole class. I loved the way she read it.
After my children were born, I read it to them. Since I have once again
found it, I will be reading it to my Grandchildren. Thank you so much

Shirley Arnold from United States
Comment 2 of 21, added on January 24th, 2005 at 2:51 PM.

Thank you for posting this poem! It brings back so many childhood memories
of my dearly beloved mother reading this poem to my younger brothers and
their joy and laughter at her theatrical presentation! It is a poem of the
joy of a simple, loving and compassionate life. The "Raggedy Man" was a
spiritual teacher to the children in the poem and to children who were
entertained by this charming piece. I plan to tell my brother about your
website so he, too, can pass on the lessons of "The Raggedy Man" to his
son.

Joan Smith from United States

This poem has been commented on more than 10 times. Click below to see the other comments.
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Information about The Raggedy Man

Poet: James Whitcomb Riley
Poem: The Raggedy Man
Volume: Complete Works
Year: 1890
Added: Nov 11 2004
Viewed: 16433 times
Poem of the Day: Jul 18 2009


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