Catch, Langston Hughes: Summary & Analysis

"Catch" by Langston Hughes is a whimsical and imaginative poem that tells a concise story through vivid imagery and metaphor. The poem captures a moment of discovery and captures the essence of the unexpected and fantastical nature of love. Catch by Langston Hughes Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail Curved Beneath his arm. Being a fisher boy, He’d found a fish To carry— Half fish, Half girl To marry. Summary In "Catch," Big Boy is depicted as carrying a mermaid on his shoulders, with her tail curved beneath his arm. The poem reveals that Big Boy, a fisher boy, has found this unique creature—a half-fish, half-girl. The poem encapsulates a moment of discovery, wonder, and potential romance. Critical Analysis The poem "Catch" beautifully captures the whimsy of childhood imagination and the magic of unexpected encounters. The image of Big Boy carrying a mermaid on his shoulders creates a sense of wonder and fantasy. The p…