"The New Colossus" Review

Part A: Select two themes that are compared throughout “The New Colossus”.

• The Statue of Liberty is a famous American monument.

• The freedoms presented to immigrants and refugees in America.

• There are many places where people are not considered “worthy” or treated with respect.

• Restrictions should be in place when it comes to people being able to come to America.

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CCSS.RL.7.2

Part B: Select two sentences that contribute to the development of similar themes in the text.

• “Not like the brazen giant of Greek flame.” (Line 1)

• “A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame.” (Line 4)

• “Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,” (Line 13)

• “’Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!’ cries she” (Line 9)

• “Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand.” (Line 14)

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CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

Read lines 1 and 2 from “The New Colossus”:

Not like the brazen giant of Greek game,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land.

How does the poet's choice to begin the sonnet with these lines impact the meaning of the poem?

• These lines introduce the idea that the New Colossus will not be like these negative things from the past.

• These lines introduce the idea that the New Colossus will take all types of people, no matter who they are or what they are like.

• These lines introduce the similarities between the worlds 

• These lines present the question that the poem will answer.

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CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

Part A: Read lines 9-11 from “The New Colossus”:

“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she

with silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” 

What is the meaning of the personification in these lines?

• It shows how the statue represents the unwillingness to accept anyone.

• It shows what the statue represents; the idea that everyone, no matter who they are, is welcome. 

• It shows the ability of the statue to speak to people.

• It shows how the ancient land talks to the statue, begging the statue to take its people

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

Part B: Read lines 9-11 from “The New Colossus”:

“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she

with silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” 

How does the personification contribute to the tone of the poem? (R.3.1)

• The tone of the poem is dull and cold and the personification contributes by showing how indifferent the statue is towards welcoming others.

• The tone of the poem is aggressive and the personification contributes by showing how angry the statue is at the masses.

• The tone of the poem is earnest and the personification contributes by showing how the statue is sincere in taking in those in need.

• The tone of the poem is whimsical and the personification contributes by showing how the statue is gleeful and carefree.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

Part A: Read lines 13-14 from “The New Colossus”:

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

What is the meaning of the metaphor “the golden door” as it is used in lines 13-14? (R.3.4)

• The golden door represents how rich the homeless will become.

• The golden door represents the sun and how bright it is on the water.

• The golden door represents the United States as a gateway to freedom.

• The golden door represents the pathway back to their homelands.

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CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.RL.7.4

Part B: Read lines 13-14 from “The New Colossus”:

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

How does the metaphor “the golden door” contribute to the meaning of the text? (R.3.1)

• The metaphor contributes to the idea that the United States is a safe haven for everyone.

• The metaphor contributes to the idea that the sun shines down on ancient lands.

• The metaphor contributes to the idea that the Greek statue is more aggressive than The Statue of Liberty.

• The metaphor contributes to the idea that The Statue of Liberty welcomes specific people.

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CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.4

Read line 7:

“Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command”

How does the alliteration contribute to the meaning of the poem? (R.3.1)

• The alliteration provides context for understanding how the Greek giant is brazen.

• The alliteration emphasizes The Statue of Liberty’s acceptance of everyone.

• The alliteration emphasizes the buildings in the two cities.

• The alliteration provides context to who the huddled masses are.

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CCSS.L.7.5D

CCSS.RL.7.4

Read line 3:

“Here at sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand”

How does the alliteration contribute to the meaning of the poem? (R.3.1)

• The alliteration emphasizes how the United States is a place of freedom.

• The alliteration provides context for where the United States is located.

• The alliteration emphasizes The Statue of Liberty’s size.

• The alliteration provides context for what time of day it is.

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CCSS.L.7.5D

CCSS.RL.7.4

Select two pieces of evidence that support the idea of the "openness" of America.

• “With conquering limbs astride from land to land;” (Line 2)

• “I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” (Line 14)

• “Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand/Glows world-wide welcome…” (Lines 6-7)

• “Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” (Line 11)

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CCSS.RL.7.1