that walls are necessary in order to maintain boundaries between people and preserve their privacy and individuality. However, the speaker questions the purpose of the wall, as it seems to separate people rather than bring them together. The speaker wonders, "Before I built a wall I'd ask to know / What I was walling in or walling out, / And to whom I was like to give offense" (lines 30-32). This demonstrates the speaker's belief in the importance of understanding the consequences of building walls before doing so.
On the other hand, in the poem "The New Colossus," the speaker welcomes immigrants to America with open arms, suggesting that the country should serve as a refuge for those seeking freedom and a new beginning. The statue of Liberty declares, "Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" (lines 10-11). This line conveys the idea that America is a land of opportunity and acceptance, where people from all backgrounds can come together.
While "Mending Wall" portrays the division that walls can create and questions their purpose, "The New Colossus" celebrates diversity and inclusion. These two poems offer contrasting views on the role of boundaries and walls in society. One emphasizes the importance of unity and understanding, while the other suggests that walls can hinder progress and human connection.
Poems Across the Divide
The neighbor of the speaker in the poem “Mending Wall” believes
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