'The Raggedy Man' by James Whitcomb Riley


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1O the Raggedy Man! He works fer Pa;
2An' he's the goodest man ever you saw!
3He comes to our house every day,
4An' waters the horses, an' feeds 'em hay;
5An' he opens the shed -- an' we all ist laugh
6When he drives out our little old wobble-ly calf;
7An' nen -- ef our hired girl says he can --
8He milks the cow fer 'Lizabuth Ann. --
9Ain't he a' awful good Raggedy Man?
10Raggedy! Raggedy! Raggedy Man!

11W'y, The Raggedy Man -- he's ist so good,
12He splits the kindlin' an' chops the wood;
13An' nen he spades in our garden, too,
14An' does most things 'at boys can't do. --
15He clumbed clean up in our big tree
16An' shooked a' apple down fer me --
17An' 'nother 'n', too, fer 'Lizabuth Ann --
18An' 'nother 'n', too, fer The Raggedy Man. --
19Ain't he a' awful kind Raggedy Man?
20Raggedy! Raggedy! Raggedy Man!

21An' The Raggedy Man one time say he
22Pick' roast' rambos from a' orchurd-tree,
23An' et 'em -- all ist roast' an' hot! --
24An' it's so, too! -- 'cause a corn-crib got
25Afire one time an' all burn' down
26On "The Smoot Farm," 'bout four mile from town --
27On "The Smoot Farm"! Yes -- an' the hired han'
28'At worked there nen 'uz The Raggedy Man! --
29Ain't he the beatin'est Raggedy Man?
30Raggedy! Raggedy! Raggedy Man!

31The Raggedy Man's so good an' kind
32He'll be our "horsey," an' "haw" an' mind
33Ever'thing 'at you make him do --
34An' won't run off -- 'less you want him to!
35I drived him wunst way down our lane
36An' he got skeered, when it 'menced to rain,
37An' ist rared up an' squealed and run
38Purt' nigh away! -- an' it's all in fun!
39Nen he skeered ag'in at a' old tin can ...
40Whoa! y' old runaway Raggedy Man!
41Raggedy! Raggedy! Raggedy Man!

42An' The Raggedy Man, he knows most rhymes,
43An' tells 'em, ef I be good, sometimes:
44Knows 'bout Giunts, an' Griffuns, an' Elves,
45An' the Squidgicum-Squees 'at swallers the'rselves:
46An', wite by the pump in our pasture-lot,
47He showed me the hole 'at the Wunks is got,
48'At lives 'way deep in the ground, an' can
49Turn into me, er 'Lizabuth Ann!
50Er Ma, er Pa, er The Raggedy Man!
51Ain't he a funny old Raggedy Man?
52Raggedy! Raggedy! Raggedy Man!

53An' wunst, when The Raggedy Man come late,
54An' pigs ist root' thue the garden-gate,
55He 'tend like the pigs 'uz bears an' said,
56"Old Bear-shooter'll shoot 'em dead!"
57An' race' an' chase' 'em, an' they'd ist run
58When he pint his hoe at 'em like it's a gun
59An' go "Bang! -- Bang!" nen 'tend he stan'
60An' load up his gun ag'in! Raggedy Man!
61He's an old Bear-shooter Raggedy Man!
62Raggedy! Raggedy! Raggedy Man!

63An' sometimes The Raggedy Man lets on
64We're little prince-children, an' old King's gone
65To git more money, an' lef' us there --
66And Robbers is ist thick ever'where;
67An' nen -- ef we all won't cry, fer shore --
68The Raggedy Man he'll come and "'splore
69The Castul-halls," an' steal the "gold" --
70An' steal us, too, an' grab an' hold
71An' pack us off to his old "Cave"! -- An'
72Haymow's the "cave" o' The Raggedy Man! --
73Raggedy! Raggedy! Raggedy Man!

74The Raggedy Man -- one time, when he
75Wuz makin' a little bow-'n'-orry fer me,
76Says "When you're big like your Pa is,
77Air you go' to keep a fine store like his --
78An' be a rich merchunt -- an' wear fine clothes? --
79Er what air you go' to be, goodness knows?"
80An' nen he laughed at 'Lizabuth Ann,
81An' I says "'M go' to be a Raggedy Man! --
82I'm ist go' to be a nice Raggedy Man!"
83Raggedy! Raggedy! Raggedy Man!

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Raggedy Man: A Classic Poem for All Ages

When it comes to poetry, few pieces are as timeless and beloved as "The Raggedy Man" by James Whitcomb Riley. This classic work of literature has been captivating readers for over a century with its whimsical tone, charming characterizations, and delightful rhymes. But what makes this poem so special, and why does it continue to resonate with readers of all ages?

The Story and Characters of the Poem

At its heart, "The Raggedy Man" is a simple poem about a young boy's friendship with a scruffy, lovable tramp. The boy is fascinated by the raggedy man's carefree lifestyle and impish grin, and the two quickly become inseparable companions. Together, they explore the countryside, play games, and share stories under the light of the moon. But as the poem progresses, we start to see hints of a deeper emotional connection between the boy and his raggedy friend. When the boy asks the raggedy man to stay with him forever, we sense a bittersweet longing for a relationship that may not last.

One of the things that makes "The Raggedy Man" so memorable is its vivid characterizations. The raggedy man is depicted as a charming rogue, with a twinkle in his eye and a laugh that echoes through the hills. He's a kind-hearted soul who loves nothing more than making children smile, and his playful antics are sure to delight readers of all ages. Meanwhile, the boy is a wide-eyed innocent, eager to learn from his new friend and explore the world around him. Together, they form a bond that's both heartwarming and a little bit melancholy.

The Poem's Themes and Symbolism

Like all great works of literature, "The Raggedy Man" is loaded with symbolism and deeper meanings. One of the most obvious themes is the power of friendship and human connection. Despite their differences in age and background, the boy and the raggedy man form a deep and meaningful bond that transcends societal norms. They're both outsiders in their own way, and their friendship serves as a reminder that we all need companionship and love to thrive.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of childhood innocence and wonder. The boy is still young enough to see the world through fresh eyes, and his encounters with the raggedy man open his mind to new experiences and possibilities. The raggedy man serves as a kind of mentor figure, teaching the boy about the joys of nature, storytelling, and simple pleasures. In a world that's often jaded and cynical, the poem reminds us of the importance of holding onto our sense of wonder and curiosity.

Finally, "The Raggedy Man" can be seen as a commentary on the nature of freedom and conformity. The raggedy man represents a kind of free spirit, unbound by convention or societal expectations. He lives life on his own terms, and his carefree ways are contrasted with the boy's more structured and controlled upbringing. While the poem doesn't necessarily endorse one way of life over the other, it does suggest that there's value in stepping outside our comfort zones and embracing a little bit of raggedy chaos.

The Style and Structure of the Poem

Of course, none of these themes and ideas would be quite as effective without Riley's masterful use of language and structure. "The Raggedy Man" is a prime example of what makes poetry such a powerful form of artistic expression. The poem is structured as a series of rhyming couplets, with a bouncy rhythm that's easy to read aloud. This lends the poem a musical quality that makes it feel almost like a song.

But it's not just the rhyme scheme that makes the poem so effective. Riley also uses a wide variety of poetic techniques to bring his characters and setting to life. He uses vivid imagery to describe the raggedy man's appearance and behavior, and his use of repetition and alliteration creates a sense of playfulness and fun. Meanwhile, his descriptions of the natural world are filled with sensory details that make the reader feel like they're right there in the countryside, experiencing the sights and sounds firsthand.

Conclusion

In the end, "The Raggedy Man" is a poem that appeals to readers of all ages and backgrounds. Its themes of friendship, wonder, and freedom are universal, and its whimsical tone and charming characters make it a joy to read. Whether you're a child just discovering the joys of poetry, or an adult looking to recapture some of that childhood magic, this classic work of literature is sure to delight and inspire. So if you haven't already, take a moment to sit down with "The Raggedy Man" and experience the magic for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Raggedy Man: A Classic Poem by James Whitcomb Riley

If you are a fan of classic poetry, then you must have heard of James Whitcomb Riley's "The Raggedy Man." This poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire generations of readers. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

First, let's start with a brief overview of the poem. "The Raggedy Man" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a raggedy man who comes to visit a young boy. The raggedy man is a friendly and playful character who entertains the boy with his stories and songs. The poem is written in a conversational tone, and the language is simple and easy to understand. Now, let's dive deeper into the poem and explore its themes.

Themes

One of the main themes of "The Raggedy Man" is the power of imagination. The raggedy man is a symbol of the imagination, and he encourages the boy to use his imagination to create his own stories and adventures. The poem celebrates the joy and wonder of childhood, and it reminds us that we should never lose our sense of wonder and imagination.

Another theme of the poem is the importance of friendship. The raggedy man and the boy develop a strong bond throughout the poem, and their friendship is based on mutual respect and admiration. The raggedy man is a positive influence on the boy, and he teaches him important life lessons through his stories and songs.

Structure

"The Raggedy Man" is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a different number of lines. The first stanza has eight lines, the second has six, the third has ten, and the fourth has twelve. The irregular structure of the poem reflects the playful and unpredictable nature of the raggedy man.

Literary Devices

Riley uses a variety of literary devices in "The Raggedy Man" to create a vivid and engaging poem. One of the most prominent devices is repetition. The phrase "The Raggedy Man" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of this character and his impact on the boy's life. The repetition also creates a musical quality to the poem, making it easy to read aloud and remember.

Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. Riley uses vivid descriptions to bring the raggedy man and his stories to life. For example, in the second stanza, he describes the raggedy man's "queer old hat" and "funny old crooked crick" which creates a vivid image in the reader's mind.

The poem also uses alliteration, which is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. For example, in the third stanza, Riley writes, "And he'd chirr and whistle, and whoop and sing, / And the jolly old cuss was the heartiest thing!" The repetition of the "ch" and "w" sounds creates a playful and musical quality to the poem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Raggedy Man" is a classic poem that celebrates the power of imagination, the importance of friendship, and the joy of childhood. Riley's use of repetition, imagery, and alliteration creates a vivid and engaging poem that is easy to read and remember. This poem is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire readers of all ages, and it reminds us to never lose our sense of wonder and imagination.

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