Merry-Go-Round: Critical Analysis

Part I of Essay
McAvley's purpose in "Merry-Go-Round" is to show the innocent beliefs of children viewed by a cynical adult. It portrays children caught up in the magical, surreal world of childhood before thrown into reality and the discordant life of adulthood. He employs specific styli ....

Part II of Essay
.... the watching crowd". The last three stanzas show the emphasised view of the cynical adult who is simply observing the children from a detached outside viewpoint. For example, "almost I see the marvel they see" is informing the reader that he is "almost" caught up in the enchantment as the children are. McAvley's clever use of diction and imagery add to the enchantment of the merry-go-round as the children see it as a magical fantasy world. It is continually likened to another world. For example, the first stanza deals with the excitemen ....