Title of the Poem
The poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty is called “The New Colossus.
Author of the Poem
The author of this iconic poem is Emma Lazarus.
Text of the Poem
Here is the full text of “The New Colossus” as it appears on the Statue of Liberty:
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Historical Context
“The New Colossus” was written in 1883, a time of significant immigration to the United States. The late 19th century saw a massive influx of immigrants, primarily from Europe, seeking better opportunities and fleeing persecution, poverty, and lack of freedom. This period was marked by the expansion of industrialization in the U.S., which created a demand for labor and attracted immigrants in search of work and a new life.
Emma Lazarus composed this poem to help raise funds for the construction of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. The statue itself was a gift from France to the United States, symbolizing friendship and celebrating the centennial of American independence. However, the U.S. needed to finance the pedestal’s construction, and various fundraising efforts, including the auction of literary works, were undertaken.
The statue was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, with the internal structure engineered by Gustave Eiffel. It was intended to symbolize freedom and democracy, a beacon of hope to those arriving by sea to the New World. Lazarus’ poem was an inspired contribution to this vision, encapsulating the spirit of welcome and refuge.
See also: What Is The Most Powerful Poem?
Significance and Themes
“The New Colossus” carries significant themes and messages that resonate deeply with the ideals of America as a land of opportunity and sanctuary:
Welcoming Immigrants: The poem’s central theme is the welcoming of immigrants. The Statue of Liberty, depicted as the “Mother of Exiles,” stands as a beacon of hope and freedom for those seeking a new life away from tyranny and oppression.
Contrasting Images: Lazarus contrasts the Statue of Liberty with the ancient Colossus of Rhodes, a symbol of power and conquest. Instead, the new statue embodies compassion and refuge, not dominance.
Universal Brotherhood: The poem underscores the universal call for human dignity and freedom, advocating for the acceptance of the “tired,” “poor,” and “huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
Humanitarian Vision: The “imprisoned lightning” symbolizes enlightenment and the power of human potential, emphasizing liberty and the moral responsibility to extend a helping hand to the downtrodden and oppressed.
Background of the Author
Emma Lazarus was born on July 22, 1849, in New York City, into a wealthy Sephardic Jewish family. She was a prolific writer, poet, essayist, and translator, known for her work that often reflected her deep concern for social justice and humanitarian causes.
Lazarus was well-educated and started writing at a young age. Her first collection of poems, “Poems and Translations,” was published in 1866 when she was just seventeen. She was also known for her translations of German Jewish poets, such as Heinrich Heine, and for her advocacy for Jewish refugees fleeing persecution in Russia and Eastern Europe. Her work, “Songs of a Semite,” reflects her commitment to Jewish causes and her identity.
“The New Colossus,” written in 1883, remains her most famous work. Unfortunately, Emma Lazarus did not live to see the widespread impact of her poem, as she passed away in 1887 at the age of 38 due to Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Impact and Legacy
“The New Colossus” has had a profound and lasting impact on American culture and the perception of the Statue of Liberty. Though initially not a central feature of the statue, the poem gained prominence when it was engraved on a bronze plaque and mounted inside the pedestal in 1903.
Over the years, “The New Colossus” has come to symbolize the United States’ historical role as a welcoming haven for immigrants. The famous lines, “Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” have been invoked in political speeches, debates on immigration policy, and cultural references, cementing its place as a cornerstone of America’s identity as a nation of immigrants.
The poem’s enduring relevance speaks to the ongoing discussions about immigration and the values of openness and refuge. Emma Lazarus’s vision of America as a beacon of hope continues to inspire and challenge the nation to uphold these ideals.
In conclusion, “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus is more than just a poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty; it is a powerful symbol of the ideals of freedom, compassion, and welcome that define the American spirit. Through its evocative imagery and enduring themes, the poem has become an integral part of the cultural and historical fabric of the United States, continuing to inspire generations with its message of hope and inclusion.
FAQs about the Poem on the Statue of Liberty
1. What is the poem about the Statue of Liberty?
The poem about the Statue of Liberty is “The New Colossus.” Written by Emma Lazarus in 1883, this sonnet was composed to help raise funds for the construction of the statue’s pedestal. The poem celebrates the Statue of Liberty as a welcoming symbol for immigrants arriving in the United States, depicting it as the “Mother of Exiles” offering refuge and hope to the world’s oppressed.
2. What is the name of the sonnet on the Statue of Liberty?
The name of the sonnet inscribed on the Statue of Liberty is “The New Colossus.”
3. What does the poem “On the Statue of Liberty” mean?
“The New Colossus” contrasts the Statue of Liberty with the ancient Colossus of Rhodes, which symbolized military power and conquest. Instead, the Statue of Liberty stands as a beacon of hope and freedom, welcoming immigrants to the United States. The poem emphasizes themes of compassion, refuge, and the promise of a new beginning for those fleeing oppression. The famous lines “Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” highlight America’s role as a sanctuary for the world’s downtrodden and displaced.
4. What are the words written on the Statue of Liberty?
The words written on the Statue of Liberty are the lines from Emma Lazarus’s sonnet “The New Colossus.” The full text inscribed on a bronze plaque inside the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty reads:
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”