Let America Be America Again Comparison

Short Summary

Langston Hughes is writing a poem of someone who feels that America does not live upwardly to what it should exist. The tone is angry and resentful. He points to the people who've come here with hopes and dreams and they're beingness let down. He's also proverb that in that location is an economic disparity between people. In essence, the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer, because there is not equal opportunity.

Let America Be America Again Summary

Allow information technology be the dream it used to be. Allow it be the pioneer on the apparently Seeking a home where he himself is costless.

America never was America to me.

Let America exist the dream the dreamers. Allow it be that great strong country of beloved. Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme. That any man be crushed by one above.

It never was America to me.

O, let my land be a land where Freedom Is crowned with no faux patriotic wreath, Simply opportunity is existent, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breathe.

There's never been equality for me, Nor freedom in this "homeland of the complimentary."

Say, who are y'all that mumbles in the nighttime? And who are you lot that draws your veil across the stars? I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart, i am the black man bearing slavery's scars.

I am the scarlet man driven from the country, I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek—And finding just the aforementioned old stupid plan. Of domestic dog consume dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the young man, full of strength and promise, Tangled in that ancient countless chain Of turn a profit, power, gain, of grab the state!

Of catch the golden! Of grab the ways of satisfying demand! Of work the men! Of have the pay! Of owning everything for 1'due south ain greed!

I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil. I am the worker sold to the machine. I am the blackness human, retainer to you all. I am the people, humble, hungry, mean— Hungry yet today despite the dream. Beaten notwithstanding today—O, Pioneers!

I am the man who never got ahead, The poorest worker bartered through the years. Withal I'thousand the one who dreamt our basic dream In the Old Globe while still a serf of kings, Who dreamt a dream so strong, then brave, so truthful, That even notwithstanding its mighty daring sings In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned

That'south made America the land it has become. O, I'm the man who sailed those early on bounding main. In search of what I meant to be my dwelling house—

For I'1000 the 1 who left dark Ireland's shore, And Poland's apparently, and England's grassy lea, And torn from Blackness Africa's strand I came To build a "homeland of the gratis."

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The gratis? Who said the complimentary? Non me? Surely not me? The millions on relief today? The millions shot down when we strike? The millions who have naught for our pay?

For all the dreams we've dreamed And all the songs nosotros've sung, And all the hopes nosotros've held And all the flags we've hung, The millions who have nothing for our pay— Except the dream that's almost dead today.

O, let America be America again— The land that never has been notwithstanding— And yet must exist—the country where every man is free.

The country that'south mine—the poor man'southward, Indian'south, Negro's, ME— Who made America, Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain, Whose mitt at the foundry, whose plow in the pelting,

Must bring back our mighty dream once more. Sure, call me any ugly proper noun y'all cull— The steel of freedom does not stain. From those who alive like leeches on the people'due south lives,

Nosotros must take back our land again, America!

O, yeah, I say information technology plain, America never was America to me, And nevertheless I swear this adjuration— America will be! Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster decease, The corruption and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies.

Nosotros, the people, must redeem. The state, the mines, the plants, the rivers.

The mountains and the endless obviously.

All, all the stretch of these great dark-green states.

Line By Line

ane-5 : The reader is immediately introduced to the fact that the writer does non believe that America is all it tin can be due to the fact that the word "again" is used. He wants America to exist "the dream information technology used to be." But the powerful line is #v which reads "America was never America." This voices what many people feel: that America'due south ideals of equality, liberty, and freedom don't seem existent.

half dozen-10 : In a sense, there is a positive tone because there is a hope that America can be a "corking strong state of love," but so it he uses words and phrases like "kings connive," "tyrant's scheme,'' and "crushed." Therefore, he conveys that there are people in power who are in command and deprive others of opportunities. Line 10 repeats the idea that America isn't what information technology could be for him. So, lines #5 and #ten share the aforementioned message.

xi-14 : Liberty, which is another word for freedom, is important in the dream America holds so preciously. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of America. It was a welcoming site for people who immigrated here. Then, it is a symbol of America and holds promise of what America represents. Hughes wants an America that is "crowned with no false patriotic wreathe." And so, he wants a real, patriotic, true America, with no fake promises.

xv-16: This is a repeat of the message from lines #5 and #ten—hat equality doesn't exist for him.

17-19 : This poses the idea of darkness and something veiled, like idea of freedom for him is dark or blocked.

20-25: In this stanza, we learn that this is not but nigh ane group of people. Hughes is speaking for many who aren't included in America'due south reality—poor whites, African Americans, American Indians, and immigrants are all groups who've been left out.

26-32 : The central message here is 1 of greed. Money is at the center of what America has go. Hughes feels that "ability, gain" and owning property is the focus. Information technology'southward all almost money. He says in line #32 "Of owning everything for i's own greed!" To him, that's what America has become.

33-40 : To personalize and give a confront to people who aren't a part of the American Dream, he uses the words "I am" over and over. Whether one is a farmer or a worker, he says "I am the people" and says that those in this position are getting mad and hungry, and feel "beaten" on line #38. Information technology's actually proverb that some people are working hard, but the dream isn't there for them.

41-52: This makes the verse form about the individual. Hughes says "I'g the one…" and "I'm the homo…" and "I came" and "I meant " to express the fact that people came here with high hopes and big dreams, whether as immigrants from Ireland, Poland, England—or "torn" from Africa and forced into slavery hither. All should take a "homeland of the free."

53: "The costless!" This says it all—the fact that nosotros should all exist free in every way: legally, socially, economically, to enjoy America on equal level.

54-63: Hughes is coming back and saying sarcastically that he wouldn't say in that location is liberty. He is speaking for the "millions" of people who have been struggling, hoping, working, and flight American flags, "who have nix" except for dreams that are "almost dead." But, the fact that he uses the word near shows a fiddling promise. It reminds us of how happy and meaningful it was for many people when Obama was elected. Information technology gave people the hope that they needed.

64-74: Langston Hughes is saying that America needs to be what it hasn't been yet, a place "where every man is free." He capitalizes the word "me" on line #69, considering he desperately wants to realize the American dream. Once again, we run into promise when he says "bring back our mighty dream over again."

75-80: Reclaiming the idea of America is the idea here. It has to be for everyone.

81-85: Hopes resonates hither. Langston Hughes ends this with a sense of promise by maxim "And yet I clothing this oath-America volition be!" on lines #84-85

86-94: "We the people, must redeem" is powerful. Information technology's a strong, passionate bulletin that America must be more than it is, and that it can be!

Literary Devices

Stanzas: Stanzas separate the parts of the poem. However, his stanzas vary in length. The variation depends on the message. There is no exact number of lines to each one.

Rhyme: Hughes uses rhyme to depict attention to the poetic element of his message. Words such equally "be" and "free" in lines 2 and 4, "dreamed" and "schemed" in lines 6 and 8, and "wreathe" and "breathe" in lines 12 and 14, all demonstrate rhyming.

Repetition: Repetition is used for issue here with variations of the bulletin that freedom doesn't exist for Hughes. To be specific, line five says "America never was America for me." Line 10 says "It never was America for me." His refrain here is the main theme: that he hasn't felt a office of the American dream. That'southward why it's ready apart from other lines, for emphasis.

Metaphor: Hughes uses the word car on line 34 when he says, "I am the worker sold to the machine." The machine is a metaphor for the American system that has allow him down.

Alliteration: The phrase on line #four represents ingemination. Information technology says "dream the dreamers dreamed." Another instance is on line #11 with "O, let my land be a land where liberty," and "live similar leeches on the people's lives", on lines #77-78.

Point of View: Told in the starting time person. Uses the word "I' throughout.

Extended Metaphor: America is used as an extended metaphor because it is a word used throughout the verse form with many comparisons of what information technology should exist. Information technology should be a land of the free on line #four, opportunity on line #13, equality on line #14, and a homeland on line #52.

Figurative Language/Dialogue: As language that evokes mental images and sensory impressions, lines #17-19 evoke the images of darkness and veils. It says, "Say, who are y'all that mumbles in the night? And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?" This question stands out from the poem in that its font is different, information technology is spoken every bit dialogue, and it draws the reader to an image that evokes darkness and something covered, like the dream of America is covered upward or dark to certain people.

Imagery: Hughes uses imagery throughout the verse form to go far speak to the reader. For example, he uses "slavery's scars" on line #21, "the swain, total of strength and hope" on line #26, "grab the gold" on line #29.

Theme: The central theme is that the author feels left out of the American Dream. He also feels that information technology's true for other minorities and those who don't accept the money, land, or power.

Tone: The tone is acrimony, with a little hope at the finish.

Elizabeth on Oct 17, 2018:

I beloved this poem because it has hope and I similar every stanza.

Leseana on April 17, 2017:

Iv'e always loved this verse form, I cited this poem is a regions spoken communication competition. This poem speaks to my people. Every time I read this poem it brings emotion.

Madyson on Feb 26, 2017:

What does it mean to draw a veil across the stars?

BOB on December fourteen, 2016:

Where are the sound devices, and the figurative linguistic communication located in this poem?

Caleb on February 16, 2016:

Thanks for the assay human. Really appreciate it.

Brandon from Houston, Texas on July 23, 2015:

Nice

BrotherFromAnotherMother on February eighteen, 2015:

very truthful

THAT GUY on January 27, 2015:

INSPIRING

Mylindaminka on April thirty, 2013:

К преимуществам щелочной химической завивки Относятся Прочные локоны (обычно держатся дольше); возможность обработки при комнатной температуре. Щелочную химическую завивку применяют для укладки волос, плохо поддающихся обработке, а также для того, чтобы получить тутой завиток, если прежде у клиента перманент получался слишком слабым.

Futamarka on March 31, 2013:

Плиты геля парик (эпиляционный, похотливый пенопарфюмсмех) применяются для теплодепиляции полов а, так же теплодепиляции полов специального назначения: Хотя часто приходится слышать, что цифры беспристрастны, мне кажется, что это не совсем так. Трудно не согласиться с тем, что цифры сами по себе не имеют эмоциональной окраски. А вот когда они становятся индексами каких-то характеристик, то их нейтральность часто улетучивается. Конечно же, мы реагируем не на цифры, а на то, что за ними стоит и на то, что стимулирует наши размышления и воображение. Здесь приведены данные из исследований, проводившихся в США за последние несколько лет.

PadaOthehal on March 08, 2013:

My partner and i accepted to receive high on living nevertheless recently We have accumulated the level of resistance.

Jovi Romeo on Baronial 25, 2012:

Greetings from Nigeria. Your analysis of Langston Hughes' poem is elucidatory and graphic.

romper20 (author) from California on June 22, 2012:

I am glad to aid Kaya, cheers for the annotate!

Kaya on May 21, 2012:

I am going to write some kind of a written examination about langston hughes and his poems tomorrow and this actually helped me to sympathise his intentions!

Hopefully this poem is going to be the main topic :D...

Thanks and greetz from germany.

romper20 (writer) from California on April 27, 2012:

Thanks for the back up i hope you enjoyed and learned something today :D

mohammed on Apr 26, 2012:

squeamish, i liked it

lonnalove on April 17, 2012:

this was very insightful for me

romper20 (writer) from California on Apr 03, 2012:

Thanks for the comments

Chris Andrews from Norwalk, Ohio on March 24, 2012:

Langston Hughes is one of my favorite poets. A great interp. thank you for sharing information technology.

Derrick on February 29, 2012:

Thank you for your analysis of this verse form. You gave a very true description of the writers thought. I really enjoyed information technology and all the other comments. Thank y'all.

romper20 (author) from California on February 29, 2012:

Thanks everyone

JDJ on Feb 28, 2012:

Very nice

Annie from NewYork on October 23, 2011:

informative.. vote upwardly

romper20 (author) from California on September 17, 2011:

I capeesh the comments and yeah the verse form really stands for itself.

MALAK on May 21, 2011:

LE AMERICA BE AMERICA AGAIN IS A Verse form THAT SHOWS AMERICAN Society Equally IT IS,IT IS REALISTC DEPICTION OF AMERICAN'Southward Alive

Nebeolisa Okwudili on April 03, 2011:

A cute verse form that all literature students should read, it contains as much exemplarry figurative expressions equally yous desire, refining. I love it everytime I read it, doling more meanings anew as I do.

P. Thorpe Christiansen from Pacific Northwest, United states on Feb 06, 2011:

Wonderful, I love the poesy of Langston Hughes. Great hub.

romper20 (author) from California on Nov xiii, 2010:

Petra your right, and thanks for taking the time to read it!

Petra Vlah from Los Angeles on Oct 16, 2010:

I volition have to await up the poem, but from your detailed business relationship information technology seems that I would agree with most of the poet's views. I have experimented myself the "dream" and more than once I was awakened past the nightmare of hypocrisy.

I tin can't remember whatsoever other state in history that in simply 200 short years has caused more than hurting for its own people and the rest of the world, while wrapping itself in slogans of democracy, justice and greatness'.

romper20 (author) from California on June 11, 2010:

Thanks Erik!

Erik on June 08, 2010:

Keen work!

romper20 (author) from California on June 07, 2010:

Thanks so much Micky, its very true...

Romper20

Micky Dee on June 04, 2010:

Equality doesn't exist for likewise many of the states. Very nice piece of work! It'due south all truthful. Cheers!

Mark Chen on June 03, 2010:

Very dainty thank you for sharing :)

I really enjoyed.

romper20 (author) from California on May 24, 2010:

Very true Valerie, the fact that we are driven to expectations rather than humanity can be strain-vicious. We can always determine our paths and destinations.

valeriebelew from Metro Atlanta, GA, USA on May 20, 2010:

I found this interesting, and pretty much agree with the message of the verse form. We put besides much focus on money, and devalue most everything else. Nosotros behave as if anyone who is not financially successful is doing something wrong. Perhaps some of usa are more than interested in other aspects of life than cloth possessions. The more than nosotros estimate people by financial means, the more greed will be a problem, because people will want money in order to be respected, as well every bit for the things information technology can buy. Practiced write. (: v

romper20 (writer) from California on May 17, 2010:

I practise write poetry :) I'll have more than hubs coming shortly. Thank you for your appreciate answer, it means a lot. I'll cheque out a few of your hubs!

RomperHubber

Ben Evans on May sixteen, 2010:

Very interesting poem. I liked it and I appreciate your analysis. If yous like poetry with a historic perspective, you may be interested in reading the Poesy of Jose Rizal. He was a statesman from the Philippines and wrote effectually the tardily 1800's at a fourth dimension the Philippines fought against spain for independence.

Do you write whatever poetry?

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