Let America Be America Again Mood

Literary Analysis

Langston Hughes is writing a poem of someone who feels that America does not live upwardly 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 let down. He's also saying that there is an economical disparity between people. In essence, the rich get richer, and the poor become poorer, considering in that location is not equal opportunity.

Let America Exist America Again

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

America never was America to me.

Permit America be the dream the dreamers. Allow it be that great stiff land of love. Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme. That whatsoever man be crushed by one above.

Information technology never was America to me.

O, let my country be a country where Liberty Is crowned with no fake patriotic wreath, But opportunity is real, and life is gratis, Equality is in the air we breathe.

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

Say, who are yous that mumbles in the night? 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 human being begetting slavery'southward scars.

I am the red man driven from the land, I am the immigrant clutching the promise I seek—And finding only the aforementioned old stupid plan. Of dog swallow domestic dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the beau, full of forcefulness and promise, Tangled in that ancient countless chain Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!

Of catch the golden! Of grab the ways of satisfying need! Of piece 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 machine. I am the black man, servant to you all. I am the people, humble, hungry, mean— Hungry however today despite the dream. Beaten nevertheless today—O, Pioneers!

I am the homo who never got ahead, The poorest worker bartered through the years. Nevertheless I'm the one who dreamt our bones dream In the Old World while still a serf of kings, Who dreamt a dream and so strong, then brave, and then true, That even notwithstanding its mighty daring sings In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned

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

For I'm the one who left dark Ireland'due south shore, And Poland's plain, and England'south 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? Not me? Surely not me? The millions on relief today? The millions shot down when we strike? The millions who accept nothing 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 take nothing for our pay— Except the dream that'due south almost dead today.

O, let America be America once more— The land that never has been yet— And all the same must be—the land where every man is gratis.

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

Must bring dorsum our mighty dream again. Sure, phone call me any ugly name yous cull— The steel of freedom does not stain. From those who live similar leeches on the people's lives,

Nosotros must accept dorsum our land once 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 expiry, The abuse and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies.

We, the people, must redeem

The state, the mines, the plants, the rivers.

The mountains and the endless plain.

All, all the stretch of these dandy light-green states.

Line By Line

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

6-10 : In a sense, in that location is a positive tone because there is a hope that America can be a "cracking stiff land of love," simply so it he uses words and phrases like "kings connive," "tyrant'due 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 information technology could exist for him. So, lines #5 and #ten share the same message.

11-14 : Liberty, which is some other give-and-take 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. And so, it is a symbol of America and holds promise of what America represents. Hughes wants an America that is "crowned with no imitation patriotic wreathe." So, he wants a real, patriotic, true America, with no fake promises.

15-16: This is a repeat of the bulletin from lines #five and #10—hat equality doesn't be for him.

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

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

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

33-40 : To personalize and give a face to people who aren't a role of the American Dream, he uses the words "I am" over and over. Whether i 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'south really saying that some people are working difficult, but the dream isn't there for them.

41-52: This makes the verse form about the private. Hughes says "I'1000 the one…" and "I'1000 the human being…" and "I came" and "I meant " to limited the fact that people came hither with loftier hopes and large dreams, whether as immigrants from 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 way: legally, socially, economically, to savor America on equal level.

54-63: Hughes is coming back and maxim sarcastically that he wouldn't say there is liberty. He is speaking for the "millions" of people who have been struggling, hoping, working, and flying American flags, "who take zip" except for dreams that are "almost dead." But, the fact that he uses the word almost shows a little hope. It reminds the states 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 human is free." He capitalizes the give-and-take "me" on line #69, considering he badly wants to realize the American dream. Again, we see hope when he says "bring back our mighty dream again."

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

81-85: Hopes resonates here. Langston Hughes ends this with a sense of promise by proverb "And yet I vesture this oath-America will be!" on lines #84-85

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

Literary Devices

Stanzas: Stanzas separate the parts of the verse form. Nevertheless, 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 draw attention to the poetic element of his message. Words such as "be" and "free" in lines two and 4, "dreamed" and "schemed" in lines half-dozen and viii, and "wreathe" and "exhale" in lines 12 and 14, all demonstrate rhyming.

Repetition: Repetition is used for effect here with variations of the message that freedom doesn't be for Hughes. To exist specific, line 5 says "America never was America for me." Line ten says "It never was America for me." His refrain here is the chief theme: that he hasn't felt a part of the American dream. That's why it'southward prepare apart from other lines, for emphasis.

Metaphor: Hughes uses the give-and-take machine 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 downward.

Alliteration: The phrase on line #4 represents alliteration. Information technology says "dream the dreamers dreamed." Another example is on line #11 with "O, let my land exist a country where freedom," and "live like leeches on the people's 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 give-and-take used throughout the poem with many comparisons of what information technology should be. It should be a country of the free on line #4, opportunity on line #thirteen, equality on line #14, and a homeland on line #52.

Figurative Language/Dialogue: As language that evokes mental images and sensory impressions, lines #17-xix evoke the images of darkness and veils. It says, "Say, who are yous that mumbles in the nighttime? And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?" This question stands out from the poem in that its font is different, it is spoken equally dialogue, and it draws the reader to an epitome that evokes darkness and something covered, similar the dream of America is covered up or dark to certain people.

Imagery: Hughes uses imagery throughout the poem to make it speak to the reader. For case, he uses "slavery'south scars" on line #21, "the young human being, full of strength and hope" on line #26, "grab the gold" on line #29.

Theme: The central theme is that the writer feels left out of the American Dream. He also feels that it'due south true for other minorities and those who don't have the money, land, or power.

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

Elizabeth on October 17, 2018:

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

Leseana on Apr 17, 2017:

Iv'due east always loved this verse form, I cited this poem is a regions voice 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 it hateful to describe 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 Feb 16, 2016:

Thanks for the analysis human. Really capeesh information technology.

Brandon from Houston, Texas on July 23, 2015:

Nice

BrotherFromAnotherMother on February xviii, 2015:

very truthful

THAT GUY on January 27, 2015:

INSPIRING

Mylindaminka on Apr 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 all the same recently We have accumulated the level of resistance.

Jovi Romeo on Baronial 25, 2012:

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

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

I am glad to help Kaya, thank you 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 empathise his intentions!

Hopefully this verse form is going to be the primary topic :D...

Thank you and greetz from deutschland.

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

Thanks for the support i promise you enjoyed and learned something today :D

mohammed on Apr 26, 2012:

dainty, i liked information technology

lonnalove on April 17, 2012:

this was very insightful for me

romper20 (author) 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 great interp. thanks for sharing it.

Derrick on February 29, 2012:

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

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

Cheers everyone

JDJ on February 28, 2012:

Very nice

Annie from NewYork on Oct 23, 2011:

informative.. vote up

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

I appreciate the comments and yes the poem really stands for itself.

MALAK on May 21, 2011:

LE AMERICA BE AMERICA AGAIN IS A Verse form THAT SHOWS AMERICAN SOCIETY AS IT IS,IT IS REALISTC Depiction OF AMERICAN'Southward LIVE

Nebeolisa Okwudili on Apr 03, 2011:

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

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

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

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

Petra your right, and thank you for taking the fourth dimension to read it!

Petra Vlah from Los Angeles on Oct 16, 2010:

I will have to await upwards the poem, just from your detailed account it seems that I would hold with virtually of the poet's views. I have experimented myself the "dream" and more than once I was awakened by the nightmare of hypocrisy.

I can't call up any other country in history that in only 200 curt years has caused more pain for its own people and the rest of the world, while wrapping itself in slogans of commonwealth, justice and greatness'.

romper20 (writer) 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 truthful...

Romper20

Micky Dee on June 04, 2010:

Equality doesn't exist for likewise many of us. Very nice work! Information technology'south all true. Thank you lot!

Mark Chen on June 03, 2010:

Very nice thanks 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 tin can be strain-fell. We can always make up one's mind our paths and destinations.

valeriebelew from Metro Atlanta, GA, Us on May xx, 2010:

I institute this interesting, and pretty much concord with the bulletin of the verse form. Nosotros put besides much focus on coin, and devalue about everything else. We behave as if anyone who is not financially successful is doing something wrong. Perhaps some of us are more interested in other aspects of life than textile possessions. The more we judge people by financial means, the more greed will be a trouble, because people will want money in order to be respected, likewise as for the things it can buy. Good write. (: v

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

I do write poesy :) I'll have more hubs coming soon. Thanks for your appreciate answer, information technology means a lot. I'll bank check out a few of your hubs!

RomperHubber

Ben Evans on May sixteen, 2010:

Very interesting poem. I liked information technology and I appreciate your assay. If you 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 around the late 1800's at a time the Philippines fought against spain for independence.

Do you write any poetry?

allenangiver.blogspot.com

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

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