Which Groups Are Represented in Let America Be America Again

Short Summary

Langston Hughes is writing a poem of someone who feels that America does non live upward to what it should be. The tone is angry and resentful. He points to the people who've come here with hopes and dreams and they're being allow downwards. He'south also maxim that at that place is an economic disparity betwixt people. In essence, the rich go richer, and the poor get poorer, because there is not equal opportunity.

Let America Be America Again Summary

Permit it exist the dream it used to be. Permit it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is costless.

America never was America to me.

Let America be the dream the dreamers. Let it be that great strong state of love. Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme. That any man be crushed by 1 above.

It never was America to me.

O, permit my state be a country where Liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, Merely opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air nosotros breathe.

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

Say, who are you lot that mumbles in the night? 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'southward scars.

I am the red man driven from the land, I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek—And finding only the same old stupid plan. Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the young man, full of force and hope, Tangled in that ancient endless chain Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!

Of grab the golden! Of grab the means of satisfying need! Of work the men! Of have the pay! Of owning everything for one's ain greed!

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

I am the homo who never got ahead, The poorest worker bartered through the years. Yet I'yard the one who dreamt our basic dream In the Old World while withal a serf of kings, Who dreamt a dream so stiff, so brave, so true, That fifty-fifty yet its mighty daring sings In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned

That'southward fabricated America the land it has go. O, I'm the human being who sailed those early sea. In search of what I meant to exist my home—

For I'm the one who left dark Ireland'southward shore, And Poland'south 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 cypher for our pay?

For all the dreams we've dreamed And all the songs nosotros've sung, And all the hopes we've held And all the flags we've hung, The millions who have goose egg for our pay— Except the dream that's almost dead today.

O, permit America exist America over again— The land that never has been yet— And yet must be—the land where every homo is complimentary.

The land that's mine—the poor man's, Indian's, Negro'due south, ME— Who made America, Whose sweat and blood, whose organized religion and pain, Whose mitt at the foundry, whose plow in the rain,

Must bring back our mighty dream again. Sure, call me any ugly proper noun you choose— The steel of freedom does not stain. From those who live similar leeches on the people's lives,

We must take back our land again, America!

O, yes, I say it plain, America never was America to me, And notwithstanding I swear this oath— America volition exist! 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 plain.

All, all the stretch of these great greenish states.

Line By Line

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

6-x : In a sense, there is a positive tone because there is a promise that America can be a "great strong land of dear," 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 #v and #10 share the aforementioned message.

11-xiv : Liberty, which is another discussion for freedom, is important in the dream America holds and then preciously. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of America. Information technology was a welcoming site for people who immigrated hither. 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." And so, he wants a real, patriotic, true America, with no faux promises.

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

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

20-25: In this stanza, we learn that this is not just nigh ane 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 key message here is one of greed. Money is at the center of what America has get. Hughes feels that "power, gain" and owning belongings is the focus. Information technology's all about money. He says in line #32 "Of owning everything for one's ain greed!" To him, that's what America has get.

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 1 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. It'due south really proverb 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'chiliad the one…" and "I'm the human…" and "I came" and "I meant " to express the fact that people came hither with high hopes and big dreams, whether every bit immigrants from Republic of ireland, Poland, England—or "torn" from Africa and forced into slavery here. All should accept a "homeland of the free."

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

54-63: Hughes is coming back and maxim sarcastically that he wouldn't say there is freedom. He is speaking for the "millions" of people who take been struggling, hoping, working, and flight American flags, "who have nothing" except for dreams that are "almost dead." But, the fact that he uses the give-and-take nigh shows a little hope. Information technology reminds u.s.a. 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 word "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-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 hope by saying "And nonetheless I wear this oath-America will be!" on lines #84-85

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

Literary Devices

Stanzas: Stanzas split up the parts of the poem. However, his stanzas vary in length. The variation depends on the bulletin. At that place is no exact number of lines to each one.

Rhyme: Hughes uses rhyme to draw attention to the poetic chemical element of his message. Words such as "be" and "free" in lines 2 and 4, "dreamed" and "schemed" in lines 6 and eight, and "wreathe" and "breathe" in lines 12 and xiv, all demonstrate rhyming.

Repetition: Repetition is used for upshot here with variations of the message 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 hither is the main theme: that he hasn't felt a part of the American dream. That's why it's set autonomously from other lines, for emphasis.

Metaphor: Hughes uses the word machine 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 let him downward.

Alliteration: The phrase on line #4 represents alliteration. It says "dream the dreamers dreamed." Another instance is on line #11 with "O, let my state be a land where freedom," and "alive like leeches on the people's lives", on lines #77-78.

Betoken of View: Told in the beginning person. Uses the word "I' throughout.

Extended Metaphor: America is used every bit 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 state of the costless on line #4, 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 dark? And who are you that draws your veil beyond the stars?" This question stands out from the poem in that its font is different, information technology is spoken equally dialogue, and it draws the reader to an paradigm that evokes darkness and something covered, similar the dream of America is covered up or nighttime to certain people.

Imagery: Hughes uses imagery throughout the poem to brand it speak to the reader. For example, he uses "slavery'southward scars" on line #21, "the young man, full of strength and promise" on line #26, "grab the gold" on line #29.

Theme: The fundamental theme is that the author feels left out of the American Dream. He also feels that information technology'due south truthful for other minorities and those who don't have the money, land, or power.

Tone: The tone is acrimony, with a piddling hope at the end.

Elizabeth on Oct 17, 2018:

I dear this poem because it has hope and I like every stanza.

Leseana on Apr 17, 2017:

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

Madyson on Feb 26, 2017:

What does information technology mean to describe a veil beyond the stars?

BOB on Dec 14, 2016:

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

Caleb on February 16, 2016:

Thanks for the analysis 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 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 high on living nevertheless recently We take accumulated the level of resistance.

Jovi Romeo on August 25, 2012:

Greetings from Nigeria. Your assay of Langston Hughes' verse form 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 test most langston hughes and his poems tomorrow and this really helped me to empathise his intentions!

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

Thanks and greetz from germany.

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

Thanks for the support i hope y'all 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 (author) from California on April 03, 2012:

Thank you lot for the comments

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

Langston Hughes is i of my favorite poets. A great interp. thanks for sharing information technology.

Derrick on Feb 29, 2012:

Give thanks you for your assay of this verse form. You gave a very true description of the writers thought. I actually enjoyed it and all the other comments. Thanks.

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

Thanks anybody

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 capeesh the comments and yeah the poem really stands for itself.

MALAK on May 21, 2011:

LE AMERICA BE AMERICA Once again IS A POEM THAT SHOWS AMERICAN SOCIETY AS Information technology IS,IT IS REALISTC DEPICTION OF AMERICAN'Southward LIVE

Nebeolisa Okwudili on April 03, 2011:

A beautiful poem that all literature students should read, it contains as much exemplarry figurative expressions equally you lot desire, refining. I beloved information technology everytime I read it, doling more than meanings anew as I practise.

P. Thorpe Christiansen from Pacific Northwest, United states of america on February 06, 2011:

Wonderful, I honey the verse of Langston Hughes. Great hub.

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

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

Petra Vlah from Los Angeles on October 16, 2010:

I volition have to wait up the poem, but from your detailed account it seems that I would hold with about of the poet's views. I have experimented myself the "dream" and more one time I was awakened past the nightmare of hypocrisy.

I tin can't recall whatsoever other country in history that in only 200 short years has caused more than hurting for its ain people and the remainder of the world, while wrapping itself in slogans of republic, justice and greatness'.

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

Cheers 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 be for too many of us. Very squeamish piece of work! Information technology'southward all true. Thanks!

Mark Chen on June 03, 2010:

Very nice thank you for sharing :)

I actually enjoyed.

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

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

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

I establish this interesting, and pretty much agree with the message of the poem. We put too much focus on money, and devalue most everything else. Nosotros acquit every bit if anyone who is not financially successful is doing something incorrect. Perchance some of us are more interested in other aspects of life than material possessions. The more nosotros estimate people by financial means, the more greed volition be a problem, because people will desire money in order to be respected, equally well as for the things it tin can buy. Skillful write. (: v

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

I do write verse :) I'll have more hubs coming soon. Thanks for your appreciate answer, it means a lot. I'll cheque out a few of your hubs!

RomperHubber

Ben Evans on May xvi, 2010:

Very interesting verse form. I liked information technology and I appreciate your analysis. If you similar verse 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 belatedly 1800's at a time the Philippines fought against kingdom of spain for independence.

Exercise you write whatever poetry?

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