Which Gorup Are Representing in the Poem Let America Be America Again

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 up here with hopes and dreams and they're being let down. He's also saying that there is an economical disparity betwixt people. In essence, the rich get richer, and the poor go poorer, because at that place is not equal opportunity.

Let America Be America Again Summary

Let information technology be the dream information technology used to be. Allow it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is gratuitous.

America never was America to me.

Allow America be the dream the dreamers. Let it exist that slap-up strong land of beloved. Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme. That any homo be crushed past ane in a higher place.

It never was America to me.

O, permit my state exist a state where Freedom Is crowned with no simulated patriotic wreath, Only opportunity is existent, and life is free, Equality is in the air nosotros breathe.

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

Say, who are yous that mumbles in the dark? And who are you that draws your veil across the stars? I am the poor white, fooled and pushed autonomously, i am the black human being bearing slavery's scars.

I am the red homo driven from the country, I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek—And finding simply the same one-time stupid plan. Of domestic dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the swain, full of strength and hope, Tangled in that ancient endless chain Of profit, power, gain, of grab the state!

Of catch the golden! Of grab the ways of satisfying need! Of work the men! Of take the pay! Of owning everything for one's own greed!

I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil. I am the worker sold to the car. I am the black man, servant to you all. I am the people, humble, hungry, hateful— Hungry yet today despite the dream. Beaten notwithstanding today—O, Pioneers!

I am the human who never got ahead, The poorest worker bartered through the years. Nonetheless I'k the one who dreamt our basic dream In the Old World while all the same a serf of kings, Who dreamt a dream then potent, and so brave, so true, That even nevertheless its mighty daring sings In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned

That's fabricated America the land it has become. O, I'yard the man who sailed those early on sea. In search of what I meant to be my abode—

For I'thousand the 1 who left dark Republic of ireland's shore, And Poland's plain, and England's grassy lea, And torn from Blackness Africa's strand I came To build a "homeland of the free."

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The free? Who said the free? Not me? Surely not me? The millions on relief today? The millions shot down when we strike? The millions who have zilch for our pay?

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

O, let America be America again— The land that never has been even so— And yet must be—the land where every human being is complimentary.

The land that's mine—the poor man's, Indian'southward, Negro's, ME— Who made America, Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and hurting, Whose hand at the foundry, whose turn in the rain,

Must bring back our mighty dream once again. Sure, phone call me any ugly proper name you choose— The steel of freedom does non stain. From those who alive like leeches on the people's lives,

We must accept dorsum our country once more, America!

O, yes, I say information technology apparently, America never was America to me, And nevertheless I swear this oath— America will be! Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death, The abuse and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies.

We, the people, must redeem. The country, the mines, the plants, the rivers.

The mountains and the endless plain.

All, all the stretch of these great green states.

Line By Line

1-5 : The reader is immediately introduced to the fact that the writer does not believe that America is all it can be due to the fact that the word "over again" is used. He wants America to be "the dream it used to be." Simply the powerful line is #5 which reads "America was never America." This voices what many people feel: that America'southward ideals of equality, liberty, and freedom don't seem real.

6-ten : In a sense, there is a positive tone considering at that place is a hope that America can be a "great potent land of love," but then it he uses words and phrases like "kings connive," "tyrant'south scheme,'' and "crushed." Therefore, he conveys that there are people in power who are in control and deprive others of opportunities. Line 10 repeats the idea that America isn't what it could be for him. So, lines #5 and #10 share the same message.

11-fourteen : Liberty, which is another word for freedom, is important in the dream America holds then preciously. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of America. It was a welcoming site for people who immigrated hither. So, information technology is a symbol of America and holds hope of what America represents. Hughes wants an America that is "crowned with no false patriotic wreathe." So, he wants a real, patriotic, true America, with no false promises.

xv-xvi: This is a repeat of the message from lines #5 and #10—chapeau equality doesn't exist for him.

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

xx-25: In this stanza, we learn that this is not just most one 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 one of greed. Coin is at the centre of what America has become. Hughes feels that "power, gain" and owning property is the focus. It'due south all near coin. He says in line #32 "Of owning everything for 1's own greed!" To him, that's what America has go.

33-40 : To personalize and give a face 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 experience "beaten" on line #38. It'south really saying that some people are working hard, but the dream isn't there for them.

41-52: This makes the poem about the individual. Hughes says "I'm the ane…" and "I'm the man…" and "I came" and "I meant " to limited the fact that people came here with high hopes and big dreams, whether every bit immigrants from Ireland, Poland, England—or "torn" from Africa and forced into slavery hither. All should have a "homeland of the complimentary."

53: "The free!" This says it all—the fact that we should all be 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 at that place is freedom. He is speaking for the "millions" of people who accept been struggling, hoping, working, and flying American flags, "who have nil" except for dreams that are "most dead." But, the fact that he uses the word almost shows a little hope. It reminds us of how happy and meaningful it was for many people when Obama was elected. It 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 discussion "me" on line #69, because he desperately wants to realize the American dream. Again, we see hope when he says "bring back our mighty dream again."

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

81-85: Hopes resonates hither. Langston Hughes ends this with a sense of hope past saying "And yet I wear this oath-America will exist!" on lines #84-85

86-94: "Nosotros the people, must redeem" is powerful. It'due south a strong, passionate message that America must be more than information technology is, and that it tin be!

Literary Devices

Stanzas: Stanzas separate the parts of the verse form. All the same, his stanzas vary in length. The variation depends on the message. In that location is no exact number of lines to each 1.

Rhyme: Hughes uses rhyme to draw attention to the poetic chemical element of his message. Words such every bit "be" and "gratis" in lines ii and 4, "dreamed" and "schemed" in lines six and 8, and "wreathe" and "breathe" in lines 12 and 14, all demonstrate rhyming.

Repetition: Repetition is used for upshot here with variations of the bulletin that freedom doesn't be for Hughes. To be specific, line 5 says "America never was America for me." Line 10 says "It never was America for me." His refrain hither is the main theme: that he hasn't felt a office of the American dream. That's why it'due south set apart from other lines, for accent.

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

Alliteration: The phrase on line #four represents alliteration. It says "dream the dreamers dreamed." Another example is on line #xi with "O, permit my land be a state where liberty," and "live like leeches on the people's lives", on lines #77-78.

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

Extended Metaphor: America is used equally an extended metaphor considering it is a word used throughout the poem with many comparisons of what it should exist. It should be a land of the free on line #iv, opportunity on line #thirteen, equality on line #xiv, and a homeland on line #52.

Figurative Language/Dialogue: As linguistic communication that evokes mental images and sensory impressions, lines #17-19 evoke the images of darkness and veils. It says, "Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark? And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?" This question stands out from the verse form in that its font is dissimilar, it is spoken as dialogue, and information technology draws the reader to an image that evokes darkness and something covered, similar the dream of America is covered upwardly or dark to certain people.

Imagery: Hughes uses imagery throughout the poem to make it speak to the reader. For instance, he uses "slavery's scars" on line #21, "the young human, full of forcefulness and hope" on line #26, "grab the golden" on line #29.

Theme: The cardinal theme is that the author feels left out of the American Dream. He also feels that it's true for other minorities and those who don't have the coin, land, or power.

Tone: The tone is anger, with a little hope at the end.

Elizabeth on October 17, 2018:

I love this verse form because it has hope and I like every stanza.

Leseana on April 17, 2017:

Iv'e always loved this poem, I cited this poem is a regions voice communication competition. This poem speaks to my people. Every time I read this poem information technology brings emotion.

Madyson on Feb 26, 2017:

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

BOB on December 14, 2016:

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

Caleb on February sixteen, 2016:

Thank you for the analysis man. Really appreciate it.

Brandon from Houston, Texas on July 23, 2015:

Nice

BrotherFromAnotherMother on Feb 18, 2015:

very true

THAT GUY on January 27, 2015:

INSPIRING

Mylindaminka on April 30, 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 accustomed to receive loftier on living notwithstanding recently Nosotros take accumulated the level of resistance.

Jovi Romeo on August 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 help Kaya, thanks for the comment!

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 really helped me to understand his intentions!

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

Cheers and greetz from frg.

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

Thanks for the support i hope yous enjoyed and learned something today :D

mohammed on April 26, 2012:

nice, i liked it

lonnalove on April 17, 2012:

this was very insightful for me

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

Thanks for the comments

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

Langston Hughes is 1 of my favorite poets. A great interp. thanks for sharing it.

Derrick on Feb 29, 2012:

Thanks for your analysis of this poem. You gave a very true description of the writers thought. I really enjoyed it and all the other comments. Cheers.

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

Thanks everyone

JDJ on February 28, 2012:

Very dainty

Annie from NewYork on October 23, 2011:

informative.. vote up

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

I appreciate the comments and yes the verse form really stands for itself.

MALAK on May 21, 2011:

LE AMERICA Exist AMERICA AGAIN IS A Poem THAT SHOWS AMERICAN SOCIETY As It IS,IT IS REALISTC DEPICTION OF AMERICAN'Southward Alive

Nebeolisa Okwudili on April 03, 2011:

A beautiful poem that all literature students should read, it contains as much exemplarry figurative expressions as y'all desire, refining. I honey it everytime I read it, doling more meanings anew equally I do.

P. Thorpe Christiansen from Pacific Northwest, U.s.a. on February 06, 2011:

Wonderful, I dear the verse of Langston Hughes. Keen hub.

romper20 (writer) from California on November 13, 2010:

Petra your correct, and thanks for taking the time to read information technology!

Petra Vlah from Los Angeles on October xvi, 2010:

I will have to look up the poem, but from your detailed account it seems that I would agree with most of the poet'south views. I have experimented myself the "dream" and more than once I was awakened by the nightmare of hypocrisy.

I tin can't call up whatsoever other state in history that in but 200 short years has acquired more hurting for its own people and the residual of the globe, 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:

Great 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 also many of us. Very nice work! It'south all true. Cheers!

Mark Chen on June 03, 2010:

Very nice thanks for sharing :)

I really enjoyed.

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

Very truthful Valerie, the fact that we are driven to expectations rather than humanity can be strain-vicious. We can e'er decide our paths and destinations.

valeriebelew from Metro Atlanta, GA, U.s. on May 20, 2010:

I found this interesting, and pretty much agree with the bulletin of the poem. We put too much focus on coin, and cheapen most everything else. We behave as if anyone who is not financially successful is doing something wrong. Possibly some of us are more interested in other aspects of life than material possessions. The more we judge people by financial means, the more greed will be a problem, because people volition want coin in gild to exist respected, also as for the things it can buy. Good write. (: v

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

I practice write poetry :) I'll accept more hubs coming soon. Thanks for your appreciate answer, it means a lot. I'll check out a few of your hubs!

RomperHubber

Ben Evans on May sixteen, 2010:

Very interesting verse form. I liked information technology and I appreciate your assay. If yous similar poetry with a historic perspective, yous may exist interested in reading the Poetry of Jose Rizal. He was a statesman from the Philippines and wrote around the belatedly 1800's at a fourth dimension the Philippines fought confronting spain for independence.

Practice you write any poetry?

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Source: https://owlcation.com/humanities/Hughes-LangstonLetAmericaBeAmericaAgain

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