The flair of national expression varies with each poet, yet the conviction that America is a land where people live freely unites harmoniously as voices in a choir. One of those voices belongs to poet Emma Lazarus. Her poem about Lady Liberty creates a voice for the Lady as she offers the ideals of freedom to those who seek them.
The New Colossus
Emma Lazarus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame,
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
The poet refers to symbols of ancient power in the first two lines of the poem. The words "brazen giant of Greek fame", in particular, allude to the Greek gods and goddesses. The "mighty woman with a torch" offers an image of a grand female warrior, perhaps much like Joan of Arc.
In contrast, the title of "Mother of Exiles" bestowed upon Lady Liberty evokes images of nurturing; this reflects a natural tendency to help those who are lost or suffering. Thus, the written words of Liberty Lady's command, "Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" are so vibrant that one can almost hear her voice.
In the poem, Lady Liberty wishes for "the homeless, tempest-tossed" to be sent to her. She raises her arm high and mightily; she steadily grasps the lighted torch for all to see as they are guided towards the land of free and brave American people.
Emma Lazarus successfully creates an American goddess who manifests as protector, educator, consoler, and visionary of the American ideals. Even today, Lady Liberty hoists the torch leading to freedom in America. She is the goddess of America; Lady Liberty stands tall in New York City's harbor, heralding the call of freedom and peace to all of America.
Check out more about this poem on: http://www.geocities.com/a_j_matthews/Pa...
Next article reveals a grand poem about "Old Glory"!
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