Question

how does Hughes’ poem, “Let America be America Again,” represent the idea of the failure of the American Dream?

Answer 1

Question 23

how does Hughes’ poem, “Let America be America Again,” represent the idea of the failure of the American Dream?

Langston Hughes poem, "Let America be America Again" represented the failure of the American Dream by pointing out the hypocrisy by comparing and contrasting the ideas of an American dream that supposedly offered equality and freedom with the reality.

Question 24

Cite Evidence: Cite textual evidence from the poem to support the answer you provided in the R&A portion of this response. Remember, you must introduce your quote and include at least one MLA formatted in-text citation to earn full points!

The America that was dreamed of by the founders did not apply to everyone especially people of color. As Langston Hughes clearly stated in his poem "America was never America to me/ There’s never been equality for me/ Nor freedom in this homeland of the free”(5-15-16).

Question 25 (6 points)

Explain: In 2-3 sentences, thoroughly explain how the evidence you provide above supports your claim

Langston Hughes poem plainly supports the evidence that depicted an America that needed equity, freedom, and opportunities, for a large number of its citizens. America should be free of dictators, of abuse; it should be where all men have an equal chances to opportunities to prevail throughout everyday life.

Question 26 (6 points)

Sum it Up: In a sentence, summarize the main points you’ve presented in your response to wrap-up your argument and persuade your reader to see your point of view.

The main point is the American dream is a work in progress that has not come to its full fruition, Langston Hughes statement of "Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed"(6) is an anthem of special importance for all those who truly champion freedom and equality in America.

Answer 2

The beautiful poem "Let America be America Again", by Langston Hughes, contrasts the America that was dreamed of by those who crossed the oceans to colonize it to what America really is.

The American dream is one of freedom, of equality, of opportunities. America was supposed to be free of tyrants, of exploitation; it was supposed to be the land where all men have equal chances to succeed in life. However, as the speaker says, 'America was never America to me'.

The real America is the exact opposite, a land colonized and enriched by the work of those who were torn from their land and brought in by force. It's become a land where a greedy few get wealthier, while those who work to make them so die in poverty and sickness. As we can see in this excerpt:

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 slavery’s 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.