Question

The many works of literature penned during the Harlem Renaissance often alluded to the ever-elusive American Dream or its ultimate failure. One of the prominent authors of this time, Langston Hughes, wrote the poem “Let America be America Again” to send a message to all of his fellow men. Considering our unit theme, how does Hughes’ poem, “Let America be America Again,” represent the idea of the failure of the American Dream?
Use the poem excerpt below to identify evidence to support your claim:

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.



(There’s never been equality for me,

Nor freedom in this “homeland of the free.”)

Question 23 (12 points)
Restate & Answer the Prompt: In a sentence, restate the question provided in the prompt above and answer the question within this statement. You should NOT copy and paste the question and then respond! This must be a single, statement sentence. (NOTE: This is your claim.)

Question 23 options:

Question 24 (6 points)
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!



Question 24 options:

Question 25 (6 points)
Explain: In 2-3 sentences, thoroughly explain how the evidence you provide above supports your claim.

Question 25 options:

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.

Question 26 options:


16 of 26 questions saved

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 clearly supports the evidence that described an America that lacked equality, freedom, and opportunities for many of its citizens. 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.  

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.

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