Poets | Members | Poem of the Day | Top 40 | Search | Comments | Privacy
December 11th, 2009 - we have 234 poets, 8,023 poems and 18,173 comments.
Analysis and comments on Merry-Go-Round by Langston Hughes

[1] 2 3

Comment 22 of 22, added on December 8th, 2009 at 6:17 PM.

this poem really made me understand how segregation effects younger
children. it must have been so much for him, that he asked if he could get
on a merry go round.

nisma from United States
Comment 21 of 22, added on May 9th, 2009 at 1:46 PM.

It is ironic that Jim Crow is somewhat shown as a black right activist.
When langston states that there was a Jim crow section for blacks down
south. The merry-go-round symblolizes the rights that a normal black child
has been deprived of during that time. It could also symbolize moving
forward and becoming more racial tolerant since there isnt a back to a
merry-go-round. The whites and blacks have no designated section for each
race, so it shows more racial equality.

KARIM from United States
Comment 20 of 22, added on March 24th, 2009 at 9:30 PM.

Sorry buddy but a black child did not write that passage about all the
animosity, hatred, etc. Any child i know cannot write like that

josep from United States
Comment 19 of 22, added on March 23rd, 2009 at 8:27 PM.

Mr. Langston Hughes in school we made this poem a little more creative we
made it into a rap so younger kids as myself could relate to it.When I just
read the poem and really analyzed it I feel the as a black child in
America even though I wasn't living during those hard times that
African-American children had to go through all of that
racism,hatred,discrimination,animosity,and I can go on and on about the
things these children went through but I won't. But the Impact you had or I
should say Have on my life is astounding.This captures almost everything
that in my opinion black children and adults had to go through (back
then)segregation is really what this poem is about but to me it is so much
more thank you for really opening my Mr.Langston Hughes

Eboine only 13
Comment 18 of 22, added on May 15th, 2008 at 7:31 PM.

this poem is compiling, truthful, and a emblem to injustice

dr. harvey
Comment 17 of 22, added on May 7th, 2008 at 5:34 AM.

there is irony in his poem, the light-hearted tone contrasted to the
sadness in the normality of racism.

Student
Comment 16 of 22, added on February 25th, 2008 at 5:10 PM.

This is not reffering to Rosa Parks, it is simply showing the unfairness
the little kid is experiencing. Jim Crow is an old song that was back in
those days and in the poem it is refering to the set of laws called the Jim
Crow laws. The term jim crow comes from an old comedian that blackened his
face with a burnt cork and danced and sang to jump jim crow this rediculous
skit making black people look un-human. He came up with this skit after
watching a crippled black person doing the same thing on the street

cole from United States
Comment 15 of 22, added on February 18th, 2008 at 4:25 PM.

this poem rox my sox!

Dani!! from United States
Comment 14 of 22, added on February 16th, 2008 at 10:11 PM.

I think that Langston deals with more then just one issue when he mentions
a merry Go round. Merry go round's go in circles. I think he laments that
racial injustices are like circles that have no end. The fact that he shows
up a controversial issue through the eyes of a child is also a poingnant
detail.

Becca from United States
Comment 13 of 22, added on January 7th, 2008 at 6:56 AM.

The merry-go-round symbolizes the perfect system of life: justice, equality
and freedom neatly survive... No back sits for black... No front sits for
white: the merry-go-round keeps going around and around, and there's noone
marching at the very top of the row!!

Anna from Italy

This poem has been commented on more than 10 times. Click below to see the other comments.
[1] 2 3


Information about Merry-Go-Round

Poet: Langston Hughes
Poem: Merry-Go-Round
Added: Feb 20 2003
Viewed: 40752 times
Poem of the Day: Sep 6 2003


Add Comment

Do you have any comments, criticism, paraphrasis or analysis of this poem that you feel would assist other visitors in understanding this poem better? If they are accepted, they will be added to this page of American Poems. Together we can build a wealth of information, but it will take some discipline and determination.

Do not post questions, pleas for homework help or anything of the sort, as these types of comments will be removed. The proper place for questions is the poetry forum.

Please note that after you post a comment, it can take up to an hour before it is visible on the website! Rest assured that your comment is not lost, so don't enter your comment again.

Comment on: Merry-Go-Round
By: Langston Hughes

Name: (required)
E-mail Address: (required)
Country:
Show E-mail Address:
Yes No
Subject:
Poem Comments:

Poem Info

Hughes Info
Copyright © 2000-2009 Gunnar Bengtsson. All Rights Reserved. Links | Bookstore