The New Colossus Assignment

According to information in the Overview and in the poem, what is most likely the speaker’s perspective of the Statue of Liberty?

• The speaker believes the Statue of Liberty is greater than the statue from ancient Greece.

• The speaker believes the Statue of Liberty is made better than the statue from ancient Greece.

• The speaker believes the Statue of Liberty looks similar to the statue from ancient Greece.

• The speaker believes the Statue of Liberty will survive longer than the statue from ancient Greece.

Answer explanation

The Overview shows the author has made a connection between a great statue in ancient Greece and the Statue of Liberty but the speaker seems to believe the Statue of Liberty is greater, saying, “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!”

What is the most likely meaning of teeming as it is used in line 12 of the poem?

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.”

• Disappearing

• Crowded

• Shifting

• Empty

Answer explanation

In this instance, “teeming” refers to the shore being overcrowded by people and is supported by the context of “masses” in the lines provided.

What does the narrator most closely say the Statue of Liberty will do for people?

• It will allow people to travel easily between two countries.
  

• It will ensure the capture of people that arrive at its shores.

• It will guide people in need to a successful and safe land.

• It will protect people who repeat its slogan of strength.

Answer explanation

The last line of the poem references the Statue of Liberty as a guiding light.

Which quote from the poem most strongly supports the answer to Question 3?

• “whose flame / Is the imprisoned lightning”

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

• The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.”

• “‘I lift my lamp beside the golden door!’”

Answer explanation

The narrator personifies the Statue of Liberty with these words, showing the statue will guide, with her lamp, people to the “golden door,” that is, the successful land.

The title of the poem refers to the Colossus of Rhodes—a giant statue of the sun god, Helios—erected in the ancient Greek city of Rhodes to celebrate the city’s victory over Cyprus. How do you know from the poem that the “mighty woman with a torch” is also a statue? Cite textual evidence to support your understanding.

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Who is the “mighty woman with a torch” not like? How is she different? Cite textual evidence to support your answer.

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To whom is the “mighty woman with a torch” offering a “world-wide welcome”? Cite specific evidence from the poem to support your answer.

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Use context clues to determine the meaning of exiles as it is used in line 6 of “The New Colossus.” Write your definition here and identify clues that helped you figure out the meaning. Then check the meaning in a dictionary.

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Think about the meaning of the following stanza and the effect that the rhyme scheme has on it. What message is expressed in the stanza?

9 “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
10 With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
11 Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
12 The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
13 Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
14 I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

• People around the world are in pain.

• The statue stands silent.

• There is freedom for all in the United States of America.

• Many people are huddled in masses.

Answer explanation

The words poor, free, and door especially emphasize the theme.

Which set of rhyming lines best supports your answer to Question 9?

• “‘Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!’ cries she” / “‘Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me’"

• ‘“Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,’” / “‘Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me’”

• “‘The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.’” / ‘“Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me’”

• “With silent lips. ‘Give me your tired, your poor,’” / ‘“The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.’”

Answer explanation

The first part references freedom, and the lines are tied together by rhyme.