Question

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!” whats the main theme?

Answer 1

The main theme of the poem is the celebration of immigration and the welcoming of the marginalized and oppressed into a new, hopeful land. The poem, "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus, contrasts the Statue of Liberty with the ancient Colossus of Rhodes, emphasizing a more compassionate and inclusive symbol of freedom. Instead of conquest and glory, it portrays the idea of a nurturing and protective figure who offers refuge to the "tired," "poor," and "wretched" individuals from other lands. The poem speaks to ideals of liberty, opportunity, and the American Dream, inviting those in need to seek refuge and a better life in America.