Question

\let america be america again\ by: langston hughes directions: read and annotate the poem, keeping in mind the ideas about justice from the gallery walk. let america be america again. let it be the dream it 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 dreamed-- let it be that great strong land of love where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme that any man be crushed by one above. (it never was america to me.) o, let my land be a land where liberty is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, but opportunity is real, and life is free, equality is in the air we breathe. (theres never been equality for me, nor freedom in this \homeland of the free.\) say, who are you that mumbles in the dark? and who are you that draws your veil across the stars? i am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart, i am the negro bearing slaverys 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 strength and hope, tangled in that ancient endless chain of profit, power, gain, of grab the land! of grab the gold! of grab the ways of satisfying need! of work the men! of take the pay! of owning everything for ones own greed! i am the farmer, bondsman to the soil. i am the worker sold to the machine. i am the negro, servant to you 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. to whom is this poem addressed? how are the founding ideals of america addressed in the poem? how is the dream of america seen as being unfulfilled in the poem?

Explanation:

The poem "Let America Be America Again" by Langston Hughes is a powerful critique of the American Dream. It addresses the nation as a whole, highlighting the disparity between the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity that America was founded on and the reality for marginalized groups such as the poor white, Negro, red man, and immigrant. The poem shows how these groups have been excluded from the American Dream, with lines like "There's never been equality for me, Nor freedom in this 'homeland of the free.'" It emphasizes that America has not lived up to its founding ideals for many of its people.

Answer:

1. The poem is addressed to America as a whole.
2. The founding ideals of America (freedom, equality, opportunity) are addressed by showing the contrast between the ideal ("Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed-- Let it be that great strong land of love") and the reality (where these ideals have not been achieved for many).
3. The dream of America is seen as unfulfilled through the voices of marginalized groups (poor white, Negro, red man, immigrant, etc.) who describe their lack of equality, freedom, and opportunity despite the supposed ideals of the nation.