Let America Be America Again Alliteration

Brusk Summary

Langston Hughes is writing a poem of someone who feels that America does not live up 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 beingness let downward. He's too saying that there is an economic disparity between people. In essence, the rich get richer, and the poor go poorer, because there is not equal opportunity.

Let America Be America Once again Summary

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

America never was America to me.

Let America be the dream the dreamers. Let it be that slap-up strong country of love. Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme. That whatever man be crushed past one above.

It never was America to me.

O, let my land be a country where Freedom Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, Simply opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we exhale.

At that place'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'due south scars.

I am the ruby man driven from the land, I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek—And finding but the same one-time stupid plan. Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the fellow, full of strength and promise, Tangled in that aboriginal endless chain Of turn a profit, power, gain, of grab the state!

Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying demand! Of work the men! Of take the pay! Of owning everything for 1's ain greed!

I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil. I am the worker sold to the automobile. I am the black homo, servant to you lot all. I am the people, humble, hungry, mean— Hungry even so today despite the dream. Beaten however today—O, Pioneers!

I am the human being who never got ahead, The poorest worker bartered through the years. Yet I'one thousand the i who dreamt our basic dream In the Old World while yet a serf of kings, Who dreamt a dream so 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'k the human who sailed those early sea. In search of what I meant to be my home—

For I'one thousand the 1 who left night Ireland's shore, And Poland's patently, and England's 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 gratis? Not me? Surely not me? The millions on relief today? The millions shot down when nosotros strike? The millions who have nothing for our pay?

For all the dreams nosotros'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's near expressionless today.

O, allow America exist America again— The land that never has been nonetheless— And even so must be—the land where every human is free.

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

Must bring back our mighty dream once more. Sure, call me whatsoever ugly name you choose— The steel of freedom does not stain. From those who live like leeches on the people'due south lives,

We must take back our land again, America!

O, yes, I say it obviously, America never was America to me, And still I swear this oath— America volition be! Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death, The abuse and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies.

Nosotros, 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 author does not believe that America is all it 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 #five 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, there is a positive tone considering there is a hope that America can be a "great strong land of love," but and so information technology he uses words and phrases like "kings connive," "tyrant'due south scheme,'' and "crushed." Therefore, he conveys that there are people in ability who are in control and deprive others of opportunities. Line ten repeats the thought that America isn't what it could be for him. Then, lines #five and #10 share the aforementioned message.

eleven-14 : Liberty, which is some other word for freedom, is important in the dream America holds so preciously. The Statue of Freedom is a symbol of America. It was a welcoming site for people who immigrated here. So, it is a symbol of America and holds hope of what America represents. Hughes wants an America that is "crowned with no false patriotic wreathe." And so, he wants a real, patriotic, truthful America, with no false promises.

fifteen-16: This is a echo of the bulletin from lines #v and #x—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 nighttime or blocked.

xx-25: In this stanza, we learn that this is not just about 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 central message here is 1 of greed. Money is at the center of what America has become. Hughes feels that "power, proceeds" and owning property is the focus. It'southward all almost money. He says in line #32 "Of owning everything for one's own greed!" To him, that'due south what America has become.

33-forty : To personalize and requite 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 experience "beaten" on line #38. It'due south really maxim that some people are working difficult, but the dream isn't there for them.

41-52: This makes the poem about the individual. Hughes says "I'one thousand 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 here. All should have a "homeland of the free."

53: "The gratis!" 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 saying sarcastically that he wouldn't say at that place is freedom. He is speaking for the "millions" of people who have been struggling, hoping, working, and flying American flags, "who have naught" except for dreams that are "well-nigh dead." But, the fact that he uses the give-and-take almost shows a little hope. Information technology reminds us of how happy and meaningful information technology was for many people when Obama was elected. It gave people the promise that they needed.

64-74: Langston Hughes is proverb that America needs to be what information technology hasn't been withal, a identify "where every human is free." He capitalizes the give-and-take "me" on line #69, because he desperately wants to realize the American dream. Again, nosotros meet hope when he says "bring back our mighty dream once more."

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

81-85: Hopes resonates hither. Langston Hughes ends this with a sense of promise by proverb "And withal I wear this oath-America will exist!" on lines #84-85

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

Literary Devices

Stanzas: Stanzas split the parts of the poem. However, his stanzas vary in length. The variation depends on the message. In that location 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 four, "dreamed" and "schemed" in lines half dozen and 8, and "wreathe" and "breathe" in lines 12 and 14, all demonstrate rhyming.

Repetition: Repetition is used for effect here with variations of the message that freedom doesn't exist for Hughes. To be specific, line five says "America never was America for me." Line x says "It never was America for me." His refrain here is the master theme: that he hasn't felt a office of the American dream. That'southward why it's set 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 motorcar." The auto is a metaphor for the American system that has permit him downwardly.

Alliteration: The phrase on line #iv represents ingemination. Information technology says "dream the dreamers dreamed." Another case is on line #xi with "O, permit my land be a land 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 as an extended metaphor because it is a give-and-take used throughout the poem with many comparisons of what it should be. It should be a state of the free on line #4, opportunity on line #xiii, equality on line #xiv, 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 you lot that mumbles in the dark? 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 as dialogue, and it draws the reader to an paradigm that evokes darkness and something covered, like the dream of America is covered up or nighttime to sure people.

Imagery: Hughes uses imagery throughout the poem to brand information technology speak to the reader. For example, he uses "slavery'southward scars" on line #21, "the young man, full of forcefulness and hope" on line #26, "grab the gilded" on line #29.

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

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

Elizabeth on October 17, 2018:

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

Leseana on April 17, 2017:

Iv'eastward always loved this verse form, I cited this verse form is a regions speech contest. This verse form speaks to my people. Every time I read this poem information technology brings emotion.

Madyson on February 26, 2017:

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

BOB on December xiv, 2016:

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

Caleb on Feb 16, 2016:

Thanks for the analysis man. Actually appreciate information technology.

Brandon from Houston, Texas on July 23, 2015:

Nice

BrotherFromAnotherMother on Feb 18, 2015:

very truthful

THAT GUY on Jan 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 nevertheless recently We accept accumulated the level of resistance.

Jovi Romeo on August 25, 2012:

Greetings from Nigeria. Your analysis of Langston Hughes' verse form 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 sympathize his intentions!

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

Thanks and greetz from germany.

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

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

mohammed on April 26, 2012:

squeamish, i liked it

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. thank you for sharing it.

Derrick on February 29, 2012:

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

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 (writer) from California on September 17, 2011:

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

MALAK on May 21, 2011:

LE AMERICA BE AMERICA AGAIN IS A Poem THAT SHOWS AMERICAN SOCIETY AS IT IS,IT IS REALISTC DEPICTION OF AMERICAN'S Live

Nebeolisa Okwudili on April 03, 2011:

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

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

Wonderful, I dear the poetry of Langston Hughes. Great hub.

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

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

Petra Vlah from Los Angeles on October xvi, 2010:

I volition accept to wait upwards the poem, but from your detailed account it seems that I would agree with about of the poet'south views. I accept experimented myself the "dream" and more than once I was awakened by the nightmare of hypocrisy.

I can't remember any other country in history that in only 200 short years has acquired more 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:

Bully work!

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

Cheers and then much Micky, its very true...

Romper20

Micky Dee on June 04, 2010:

Equality doesn't exist for likewise many of united states. Very nice work! It's all truthful. Cheers!

Mark Chen on June 03, 2010:

Very overnice 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 exist strain-fell. Nosotros can ever 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 too much focus on money, and cheapen well-nigh everything else. Nosotros deport as if anyone who is not financially successful is doing something wrong. Possibly some of the states are more than interested in other aspects of life than cloth possessions. The more we judge people past financial means, the more greed will be a problem, because people will desire money in society to be respected, likewise as for the things it can purchase. Good write. (: v

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

I do write verse :) I'll have more than hubs coming soon. Thanks for your appreciate respond, it ways a lot. I'll bank check out a few of your hubs!

RomperHubber

Ben Evans on May sixteen, 2010:

Very interesting poem. I liked it and I capeesh your analysis. If you like poetry with a historic perspective, you may exist interested in reading the Poetry of Jose Rizal. He was a statesman from the Philippines and wrote around the late 1800's at a fourth dimension the Philippines fought against kingdom of spain for independence.

Do you write whatsoever poetry?

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