Question

Why would Marian Anderson's singing of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 bring tears to the narrator's eyes?

A) because that song is the narrator's favorite song that she used to listen to on the radio with her mother before she passed away
B) because "My Country 'Tis of Thee" is a very sad song that originated in a very sad time of American history
C) because the Lincoln Memorial is a very sad location that reminds many people of the great loss resulting from Lincoln's assassination
D) because the song made a political statement about the country belonging to everyone--including African-Americans

Answer 1

The tears upon hearing Marian Anderson sing 'My Country 'Tis of Thee' are most likely because the performance was a powerful political statement about inclusivity and justice, resonating with American values of freedom and equality.

Step-by-step explanation:

The tears shed by the narrator in response to Marian Anderson's performance of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 are likely attributed to the poignancy of the moment when American ideals of freedom and equality were being assertively claimed by an African-American artist in a profound setting. Given the historical context, the correct answer appears to be D) because the song made a political statement about the country belonging to everyone--including African-Americans. Marian Anderson's performance took place during a time when segregation and racial discrimination were pervasive in American society, and her presence and performance at such a national monument were a symbolic victory over those barriers.

Anderson's rendition of this patriotic song resonated as a call for inclusivity and justice, echoing the values that Abraham Lincoln himself championed. The location of the performance, the Lincoln Memorial, is an emblem of the struggle for unity and the perpetual fight against division, reflecting the ideals of patriotism that were as potent during the Civil War as they were during Anderson's era. By singing this song at such a place, Anderson not only showcased her artistic talent but also conveyed a powerful message about equality, which had a profound emotional impact on many listeners of the time.