Democracy Langston Hughes Let America Be America Again by Langston Hughes With Words

Short Summary

Langston Hughes is writing a poem of someone who feels that America does non live upwards 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 downwardly. He's also maxim that there is an economic disparity between people. In essence, the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer, because at that place is not equal opportunity.

Allow America Exist America Again Summary

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

America never was America to me.

Let America be the dream the dreamers. Let it be that dandy strong land of love. Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme. That whatsoever homo exist crushed by one above.

It never was America to me.

O, let my land exist a state where Liberty Is crowned with no fake patriotic wreath, But opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breathe.

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

Say, who are you that mumbles in the nighttime? And who are you that draws your veil beyond the stars? I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart, i am the black man bearing slavery's scars.

I am the red human being driven from the state, I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek—And finding simply the same old stupid plan. Of dog swallow dog, of mighty beat out the weak.

I am the boyfriend, full of force and hope, Tangled in that ancient countless chain Of turn a profit, power, gain, of grab the land!

Of catch the aureate! Of take hold of the means of satisfying demand! Of piece of work the men! Of take the pay! Of owning everything for one's own greed!

I am the farmer, bondservant to the soil. I am the worker sold to the automobile. I am the black man, retainer to you lot all. I am the people, humble, hungry, mean— Hungry yet today despite the dream. Beaten yet today—O, Pioneers!

I am the man who never got ahead, The poorest worker bartered through the years. Notwithstanding I'm the one who dreamt our bones dream In the Erstwhile World while still a serf of kings, Who dreamt a dream then potent, and then dauntless, and 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 man who sailed those early on sea. In search of what I meant to be my abode—

For I'm the i who left dark Republic of ireland'due south shore, And Poland's apparently, and England's grassy lea, And torn from Black Africa'southward strand I came To build a "homeland of the free."

Whorl to Continue

Read More From Owlcation

The free? Who said the free? Not me? Surely not me? The millions on relief today? The millions shot downward when we strike? The millions who accept nothing 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's almost dead today.

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

The land that's mine—the poor homo's, Indian'south, Negro'south, ME— Who made America, Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain, Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the pelting,

Must bring back our mighty dream again. Sure, telephone call me any ugly proper name you cull— The steel of liberty does not stain. From those who alive like leeches on the people'southward lives,

We must take back our state again, America!

O, yep, I say it evidently, America never was America to me, And yet I swear this oath— America volition be! Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death, The corruption 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 countless plain.

All, all the stretch of these great green states.

Line Past Line

1-5 : The reader is immediately introduced to the fact that the author does not believe that America is all information technology can be due to the fact that the discussion "once again" is used. He wants America to be "the dream it used to exist." Simply 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 freedom don't seem real.

6-10 : In a sense, there is a positive tone considering at that place is a promise that America tin can exist a "great potent country of love," merely then information technology he uses words and phrases like "kings connive," "tyrant's scheme,'' and "crushed." Therefore, he conveys that there are people in ability who are in command and deprive others of opportunities. Line 10 repeats the thought that America isn't what information technology could be for him. So, lines #five and #10 share the same message.

11-fourteen : Liberty, which is another word for liberty, 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 then, it is a symbol of America and holds hope of what America represents. Hughes wants an America that is "crowned with no fake patriotic wreathe." Then, he wants a existent, patriotic, true America, with no false promises.

15-16: This is a echo of the message from lines #5 and #10—hat equality doesn't be for him.

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

20-25: In this stanza, we larn that this is not merely about 1 group of people. Hughes is speaking for many who aren't included in America'south reality—poor whites, African Americans, American Indians, and immigrants are all groups who've been left out.

26-32 : The fundamental message here is ane of greed. Money is at the middle of what America has become. Hughes feels that "power, gain" and owning property is the focus. It's all most money. He says in line #32 "Of owning everything for one's ain 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 ane 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 saying that some people are working hard, just the dream isn't at that place for them.

41-52: This makes the poem about the individual. Hughes says "I'm the one…" and "I'thou the man…" and "I came" and "I meant " to express the fact that people came here with high hopes and big dreams, whether equally immigrants from Republic of ireland, Poland, England—or "torn" from Africa and forced into slavery hither. All should have 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 enjoy America on equal level.

54-63: Hughes is coming back and saying sarcastically that he wouldn't say in that location is freedom. He is speaking for the "millions" of people who have been struggling, hoping, working, and flight American flags, "who accept cipher" except for dreams that are "almost expressionless." Merely, the fact that he uses the discussion almost shows a little promise. It reminds us of how happy and meaningful information technology 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 withal, 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. Information technology has to exist for everyone.

81-85: Hopes resonates here. Langston Hughes ends this with a sense of hope by saying "And still I habiliment this oath-America will exist!" on lines #84-85

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

Literary Devices

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

Rhyme: Hughes uses rhyme to draw attention to the poetic element of his message. Words such as "exist" and "free" in lines 2 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 effect 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 here is the main theme: that he hasn't felt a part of the American dream. That'due south why it's fix autonomously from other lines, for emphasis.

Metaphor: Hughes uses the discussion machine on line 34 when he says, "I am the worker sold to the motorcar." The motorcar is a metaphor for the American organisation that has permit him down.

Alliteration: The phrase on line #4 represents alliteration. It says "dream the dreamers dreamed." Another example is on line #11 with "O, let my country exist a state where liberty," and "alive like leeches on the people'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. It should be a state of the free on line #four, opportunity on line #13, equality on line #14, and a homeland on line #52.

Figurative Language/Dialogue: Every bit 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 night? And who are yous 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 image that evokes darkness and something covered, like the dream of America is covered up or night to certain people.

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

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

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

Elizabeth on October 17, 2018:

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

Leseana on April 17, 2017:

Iv'e e'er loved this verse form, I cited this verse form is a regions oral communication contest. This poem speaks to my people. Every fourth dimension I read this poem it brings emotion.

Madyson on February 26, 2017:

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

BOB on December fourteen, 2016:

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

Caleb on February 16, 2016:

Thanks for the analysis man. Really appreciate it.

Brandon from Houston, Texas on July 23, 2015:

Prissy

BrotherFromAnotherMother on Feb eighteen, 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 yet recently We take 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 (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 empathize his intentions!

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

Thanks and greetz from deutschland.

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

Cheers for the support i hope you enjoyed and learned something today :D

mohammed on Apr 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 great interp. thank you for sharing it.

Derrick on Feb 29, 2012:

Thank you for your analysis of this poem. Yous gave a very true description of the writers thought. 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 overnice

Annie from NewYork on October 23, 2011:

informative.. vote upwardly

romper20 (author) 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 Once more IS A POEM THAT SHOWS AMERICAN Club AS Information technology IS,IT IS REALISTC DEPICTION OF AMERICAN'S LIVE

Nebeolisa Okwudili on Apr 03, 2011:

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

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

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

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

Petra your right, and thanks for taking the fourth dimension to read information technology!

Petra Vlah from Los Angeles on October 16, 2010:

I will have to expect up the poem, but from your detailed account it seems that I would agree with most of the poet's views. I take experimented myself the "dream" and more in one case I was awakened by the nightmare of hypocrisy.

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

Great piece of work!

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

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

Romper20

Micky Dee on June 04, 2010:

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

Marker Chen on June 03, 2010:

Very nice thanks for sharing :)

I actually enjoyed.

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

Very true Valerie, the fact that we are driven to expectations rather than humanity tin exist strain-fell. We can ever decide our paths and destinations.

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

I establish this interesting, and pretty much agree with the message of the poem. We put also much focus on coin, and cheapen most everything else. We acquit as if anyone who is not financially successful is doing something wrong. Mayhap some of us are more interested in other aspects of life than material possessions. The more we estimate people by fiscal means, the more greed will be a problem, because people will want coin in lodge to be respected, as well as 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 than hubs coming presently. Thanks for your appreciate answer, it ways a lot. I'll bank check out a few of your hubs!

RomperHubber

Ben Evans on May 16, 2010:

Very interesting poem. I liked it and I appreciate your analysis. If you similar poetry with a celebrated perspective, y'all may be interested in reading the Verse of Jose Rizal. He was a statesman from the Philippines and wrote around the late 1800's at a time the Philippines fought against espana for independence.

Practice you lot write any poetry?

simmersaffir1969.blogspot.com

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

Share this post