It seems that "insanity" or at least mental unwellness is a theme, against the squeaky clean perfection of the 50's.

"Hopeless cathedral" is an ironic statement, as supposedly it's supposed to be filled with hope, countering the conservative 1950s view.

Likely the allusion and stereotype of gay men always having sex in Turkish baths, but why would they write about it?

"Ashcan" inplies burning trashfire, rantings also brings to mind the stereotype of the "crazy homeless", but it should be notable that some may have developed the mental difficulties postwar.

This reminds me of PTSD, with living nightmares that some have abused substances in an attempt to stop.

The end of the poem seems to imply that Ma Rainey is the cause of the storm, it's possible that Ma Rainey either is an intelligent foreseer or in fact an actual storm of rain put symbolically as a person. I do wonder what the intent of the poem is, a warning about the weather? An analogy for listening to elders? Or even allegory from the economic crash.

I find it interesting that the author choose to keep the accented pronunciations within the writing, as most would see it as "unproper" at the time, but it only lends to the authenticity of the poem and strengthens the author's voice by personalizing it.

Likely a reference to America's own origins, where there was a rebellion against England's colonial influence, McKay likely is pointing out a similar struggle within, where people of color are fighting for their independence. He resists by staying inside America and still loving it for what it can be and hopes to represent.

This line is a bit odd to me how it stands out, as he also refers to them later as "brown feet". What did pop into my mind as interpretation is when skin becomes "ashy", usually because it is raw or cold outside. The "snow-flake" line seems to prove this. The girls are out in the freezing cold still working because they have no other choice, likely with little to no protection.

A notable visual contrast of "ebony" and "ivory", making both a visual and in a way mentally audible note.

Hughs is one of the first I've seen to acknowledge African Diaspora, the fact that the race rooted in Africa, has become widespread due to travel and slave trade, but it doesn't negate where they originate, but rather enriches it from being so many places and not forgetting who they are, but knowing where they came from and where they're going.

A probable allusion to how the laws are twisted so that the rights and representation in politics were skewed against people of color, like "Separate but Equal".

He seems to have predicted that despite the changes to the states in advancement towards equality, the "charities", he does point out eventually that the judicial system will catch up to the internal difficulties and intricacies that come with changes.

He points out the racial despairity in representation in media, politics and religion, which can have an affect on the psyche and views of many within a nation, even subconsciously.

Despite the fact that they are middle class and contented, it is still apparent that they are far from equals to the white people, as though they do work for them, they are not included.

Likely events during the 1930's depression, how everything simply went from bad to worse.

The feeling some Russians citizens had after the revolution, despite the promises of the Communist party, is that the government didn't have enough to help and take care of them.

Likely post WWI as mentioned above, and something happened to his wife and he wasn't around to protect her. But he can't fight his own battles for some reason.

This brings to mind the "Lost Generation", where young men during World War I inflicted with PTSD, many lost their youth and just wanted to go home.

Russia, likely in reference to the great Russian Revolution which dismantled the aristocracy.

"pregnant with history" implies that they are going to make history on this day. Not sure if this is accurate, but this brings to mind Easter Rising, the attempted Revolution by the Irish against the occupying British. But definitely denotes revolution.

Is he speaking to the "Men of winter"? Is this a call to arms?

This is put into parenthesis, like it's an aside to a friend or afterthought. Is this knowledge belonging to a limited group?

Possibly a reference to the phrase "For whom the bells toll", meaning that bells can be a sign of impending doom, but also the practice of ringing church bells during a funeral. it's possible that death, perhaps plague, has passed through leaving the wasteland. Or is the wasteland the forgotten country towns?

Tiresias was a prophet in Greek myth, in Homer's Odyssey Tiresias told Odysseus how to get home from his long voyage. Is that what the narrator intends?

In some parts of religious texts, like the Torah and the Bible, God would appear on earth in the form of fire. Would this fire sermon be in the presence of God?

Is this a secret meeting? Why would they have to be leaning in with the door closed? Is the shuffling feet someone leaving who was trying to listen in on their conversation or them leaving after the exchange?

:"Like a burnished throne" implies that she is not royalty or nobility, and yet situations herself as such with both appearance and wealth. Perhaps a nouveau riche?

Are they all tired? And if so what are they tired of, a listless lifestyle or physical exhaustion? It could be pointing out how life in the city can become monotonous and strenuous.

Works that are controversial but document humanity in less than favorable lights. For example Ruins, documents the French Revolution, Analogy is a religious critique, Faust deals with demons and temptation.

How the rhythms and beats of nature are like ones in spoken verse.

An allusion to how poets tend to write about the same things: nature, love, life.

Like making the sound of a maraca. A rough instrument.

Possibly a reference to "The Song of Roland", one of the earliest French poems, hinting that Roland's ghost is taking part of the poem.

A secret between friends, possibly more, in a place where they cannot be judged.

It could be along with the connotation of age, it could be referencing that they are "old-fashioned", acting like a past era.

Perhaps a reference to fairy circles, which in Irish mythology, were wicked creatures that kidnap, trick or curse whoever wanders into them.

Perhaps hinting that something is wrong with the room like mold or carbon poisoning, which caused lethargy or hallucinations that were mistaken for ghosts.

Pointing out the complicated bloodlines and contracts created through law and government, and an outsider "haunting" the premises.

Points out the double consciousness even in the belief system, that some thought it was enough that they were free, some thought they deserved more power but were not allowed or were not able to. But he reassures it's not "dreaming impossibly", and it's not the fault of the dreamer.

Many great empires known for militaristic, political, and intellectual accomplishments, Du Bois points out that African Empires were largely ignored in favor of these.

Reference to the protests and unionization for hard labor workers, many of which were minorities.

Pondering if one day machines will think, or that man may one day think like machines. A thought amongst many during industrial revolution and technological advancements.

A reference to the Christianization of Aphrodite/Venus, trying to combine her with imagery of Mary, the Virgin.

Personifying machinery, a parallel of a sort of "birth", with the baby nearby.

Likely a jab at "intellectualism", where it's groups of educated people that simply discuss how knowledgeable they are, rather than make any true form of progress.