Let America Be America Great Again Owlcation

Brusque Summary

Langston Hughes is writing a verse form of someone who feels that America does not alive up 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 being allow down. He's also proverb that there 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

Let information technology exist the dream it used to exist. Let information technology be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a abode where he himself is free.

America never was America to me.

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

It never was America to me.

O, let my state exist a state where Freedom Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, Simply opportunity is real, and life is gratis, Equality is in the air we breathe.

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

Say, who are you that mumbles in the nighttime? And who are you 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 red homo driven from the land, I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek—And finding only the same sometime stupid plan. Of dog swallow dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the immature human being, total of strength and hope, Tangled in that aboriginal endless chain Of profit, power, gain, of grab the country!

Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need! Of piece of work the men! Of have the pay! Of owning everything for i'southward own greed!

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

I am the homo who never got ahead, The poorest worker bartered through the years. Still I'm the 1 who dreamt our basic dream In the Old Globe while however a serf of kings, Who dreamt a dream and then strong, and then brave, so true, That even yet its mighty daring sings In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned

That's made America the land it has become. O, I'm the homo who sailed those early body of water. In search of what I meant to be my home—

For I'one thousand the one who left dark Ireland's shore, And Poland'due south plain, and England'southward grassy lea, And torn from Black Africa's strand I came To build a "homeland of the free."

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The free? Who said the gratuitous? Non me? Surely non me? The millions on relief today? The millions shot down when we strike? The millions who take nix 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 nosotros've hung, The millions who have nothing for our pay— Except the dream that'due south almost dead today.

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

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

Must bring dorsum our mighty dream again. Sure, call me any ugly name yous choose— The steel of freedom does not stain. From those who alive like leeches on the people'southward lives,

We must have back our land again, America!

O, yes, I say it plain, America never was America to me, And yet 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 land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.

The mountains and the endless obviously.

All, all the stretch of these cracking green states.

Line By Line

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

six-10 : In a sense, there is a positive tone because there is a hope that America tin be a "great stiff land of love," simply then it he uses words and phrases like "kings connive," "tyrant's scheme,'' and "crushed." Therefore, he conveys that at that place 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. And then, lines #five and #10 share the same message.

xi-fourteen : Liberty, which is another word for freedom, is of import in the dream America holds then preciously. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of America. Information technology was a welcoming site for people who immigrated here. So, 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." So, he wants a existent, patriotic, true America, with no false promises.

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

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

xx-25: In this stanza, we learn that this is non just virtually one group of people. Hughes is speaking for many who aren't included in America's reality—poor whites, African Americans, American Indians, and immigrants are all groups who've been left out.

26-32 : The fundamental message here is i of greed. Coin is at the center of what America has become. Hughes feels that "power, gain" and owning property is the focus. It's all nearly money. He says in line #32 "Of owning everything for ane's own greed!" To him, that's what America has become.

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 feel "beaten" on line #38. Information technology's really proverb that some people are working hard, but the dream isn't there for them.

41-52: This makes the verse form most the individual. Hughes says "I'g the ane…" and "I'chiliad the homo…" and "I came" and "I meant " to express the fact that people came here with high hopes and large dreams, whether equally immigrants from Republic of ireland, Poland, England—or "torn" from Africa and forced into slavery here. All should take a "homeland of the free."

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

54-63: Hughes is coming back and saying sarcastically that he wouldn't say there is freedom. He is speaking for the "millions" of people who have been struggling, hoping, working, and flight American flags, "who take zippo" except for dreams that are "most expressionless." Just, the fact that he uses the word nearly 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 promise that they needed.

64-74: Langston Hughes is saying that America needs to be what it hasn't been notwithstanding, a identify "where every man is free." He capitalizes the word "me" on line #69, because he desperately wants to realize the American dream. Over again, we come across promise when he says "bring dorsum our mighty dream once again."

75-fourscore: Reclaiming the idea of America is the thought here. It has to exist for everyone.

81-85: Hopes resonates here. Langston Hughes ends this with a sense of promise by saying "And notwithstanding I wear this oath-America volition be!" on lines #84-85

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

Literary Devices

Stanzas: Stanzas separate the parts of the verse form. However, his stanzas vary in length. The variation depends on the message. There is no verbal number of lines to each ane.

Rhyme: Hughes uses rhyme to depict attention to the poetic element of his message. Words such equally "exist" and "free" in lines 2 and four, "dreamed" and "schemed" in lines 6 and viii, and "wreathe" and "breathe" in lines 12 and fourteen, 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 5 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 part of the American dream. That'southward why it'south set apart from other lines, for emphasis.

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

Alliteration: The phrase on line #iv represents alliteration. It says "dream the dreamers dreamed." Some other example is on line #11 with "O, let my state be a country where liberty," and "alive like leeches on the people'due south lives", on lines #77-78.

Point of View: Told in the first person. Uses the give-and-take "I' throughout.

Extended Metaphor: America is used as an extended metaphor because it is a word used throughout the poem with many comparisons of what it should be. Information technology should be a land of the gratuitous on line #4, opportunity on line #13, equality on line #fourteen, and a homeland on line #52.

Figurative Linguistic communication/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 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 unlike, it is spoken as dialogue, and it draws the reader to an prototype that evokes darkness and something covered, like the dream of America is covered upwards or nighttime to sure people.

Imagery: Hughes uses imagery throughout the poem to make information technology speak to the reader. For case, he uses "slavery'southward scars" on line #21, "the fellow, full of strength and hope" on line #26, "catch the gold" on line #29.

Theme: The primal 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 money, land, or ability.

Tone: The tone is anger, with a little promise 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'eastward always loved this poem, I cited this poem is a regions spoken language competition. This verse form speaks to my people. Every fourth dimension I read this poem it brings emotion.

Madyson on Feb 26, 2017:

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

BOB on Dec xiv, 2016:

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

Caleb on February 16, 2016:

Thanks for the assay human being. Really appreciate information technology.

Brandon from Houston, Texas on July 23, 2015:

Nice

BrotherFromAnotherMother on February 18, 2015:

very true

THAT GUY on Jan 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 accustomed to receive high on living yet recently We have 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 (writer) 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 almost langston hughes and his poems tomorrow and this really helped me to understand his intentions!

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

Thanks and greetz from frg.

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

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

mohammed on April 26, 2012:

prissy, i liked it

lonnalove on April 17, 2012:

this was very insightful for me

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

Thank you for the comments

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

Langston Hughes is one of my favorite poets. A not bad interp. thank you for sharing information technology.

Derrick on February 29, 2012:

Thank you for your analysis of this poem. You gave a very true clarification of the writers idea. I really enjoyed it and all the other comments. Thank you.

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

Thanks everyone

JDJ on February 28, 2012:

Very squeamish

Annie from NewYork on October 23, 2011:

informative.. vote up

romper20 (writer) 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 BE AMERICA Again IS A POEM THAT SHOWS AMERICAN SOCIETY Equally Information technology IS,Information technology IS REALISTC Depiction OF AMERICAN'S LIVE

Nebeolisa Okwudili on Apr 03, 2011:

A beautiful verse form that all literature students should read, it contains as much exemplarry figurative expressions equally yous desire, refining. I beloved it everytime I read information technology, doling more meanings anew as I practice.

P. Thorpe Christiansen from Pacific Northwest, USA on February 06, 2011:

Wonderful, I love the poesy of Langston Hughes. Great 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 16, 2010:

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

I tin't remember whatever other country in history that in only 200 brusk years has acquired more than pain for its own people and the residual of the world, while wrapping itself in slogans of democracy, justice and greatness'.

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

Cheers Erik!

Erik on June 08, 2010:

Neat work!

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

Thanks and so much Micky, its very true...

Romper20

Micky Dee on June 04, 2010:

Equality doesn't exist for too many of u.s.. Very nice work! It's all true. Thank you!

Marking Chen on June 03, 2010:

Very nice cheers for sharing :)

I really enjoyed.

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

Very truthful Valerie, the fact that nosotros are driven to expectations rather than humanity can be strain-fell. Nosotros can always determine our paths and destinations.

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

I institute this interesting, and pretty much agree with the message of the poem. We put too much focus on money, and cheapen nigh everything else. Nosotros behave as if anyone who is not financially successful is doing something wrong. Perhaps some of us are more than interested in other aspects of life than material possessions. The more we judge people by financial means, the more than greed volition be a problem, considering people will desire coin in order to be respected, too equally for the things it can buy. Good write. (: 5

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

I do write poetry :) I'll have more hubs coming soon. Cheers for your capeesh respond, it means a lot. I'll check out a few of your hubs!

RomperHubber

Ben Evans on May 16, 2010:

Very interesting poem. I liked information technology and I appreciate your assay. If you lot like poetry with a celebrated perspective, you may be interested in reading the Poetry of Jose Rizal. He was a statesman from the Philippines and wrote around the late 1800's at a time the Philippines fought against spain for independence.

Do you lot write any poetry?

scottdebafrould.blogspot.com

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

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