Langston Hughes: Let America Be America Again: Analysis

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. This poem is not representing the point of view of
one particular group. Its saying that there are many people whove come here with hopes and
dreams and theyre being let down. Hes also saying that there is an economic disparity
(difference) between people. In essence, the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer, because
there is not equal opportunity.
Line-By-Line Interpretation
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 be the
dream it used to be. But 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 dont
seem real.
6-10: In a sense, there is a positive tone because there is a hope that America can be a great
strong land of love, but then it he uses words and phrases like kings connive, tyrants
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 isnt what it could be
for him. So, lines #5 and #10 share the same message.
11-14: Liberty, which is another word 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. 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. So, he wants a real,
patriotic, true America, with no false promises.
15-16: This is a repeat of the message from lines #5 and #10hat equality doesn't exist for him.
17-19: This poses the idea of darkness and something veiled, like idea of freedom for him is dark
or blocked.
20-25: In this stanza, we learn that this is not just about one group of people. Hughes is speaking
for many who arent included in Americas realitypoor whites, African Americans, American
Indians, and immigrants are all groups whove been left out.
26-32: The central message here is one of greed. Money is at the center of what America has
become. Hughes feels that power, gain and owning property is the focus. Its all about money.
He says in line #32 Of owning everything for ones own greed! To him, thats what America
has become.
33-40: To personalize and give a face to people who arent 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 feel beaten on line
#38. Its really saying that some people are working hard, but the dream isnt there for them.
41-52: This makes the poem about the individual. Hughes says Im the one and Im the
man 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, Englandor torn from Africa
and forced into slavery here. All should have a homeland of the free.
53: The free! This says it allthe 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 wouldnt say there is freedom. He
is speaking for the millions of people who have been struggling, hoping, working, and flying
American flags, who have nothing except for dreams that are almost dead. But, the fact that
he uses the word almost shows a little hope. It reminds us 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 hasnt been yet, 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.
75-80: Reclaiming the idea of America is the idea here. It has to be for everyone.
81-85: Hopes resonates here. Langston Hughes ends this with a sense of hope by saying And
yet I wear this oath-America will be! on lines #84-85
86-94: We the people, must redeem is powerful. Its a strong, passionate message that America
must be more than it is, and that it can be!
Literary Devices
Stanzas: Stanzas separate the parts of the poem. However, 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 2 and 4, dreamed" and schemed" in lines 6 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
doesnt 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 hasnt felt a
part of the American dream. Thats why its set apart from other lines, for emphasis.
Metaphor: Hughes uses the word 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 let 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 land be a land where liberty, and
live like leeches on the peoples 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 word used
throughout the poem with many comparisons of what it should be. It should be a land of the free
on line #4, opportunity on line #13, equality on line #14, 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 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 image that evokes darkness and something covered, like 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
example, he uses slaverys scars on line #21, the young man, full of strength and hope on
line #26, grab the gold on line #29.
Theme: The central theme is that the author feels left out of the American Dream. He also feels
that its true for other minorities and those who dont have the money, land, or power.