Use the highlighter to identify the details that help readers understand who the “I” in the poem is.

Question

I am an American boy, standing up to the world.I sleep, the city sleeps. We dream the riveter's dream, held island-fast. I wake to taxi alarms. I am a 102-stop elevator ride to heaven.

—“Empire State Building,”
J. Patrick Lewis

What is being personified in this poem?

the taxi
the dream
the Empire State Building
the bridge

Answer 1

In the poem "Empire State Building" by J. Patrick Lewis, the details that help readers understand who the "I" is include the phrases "an American boy" and references to the city and the riveter's dream, suggesting that the speaker is a young male associated with American culture and ideals. The mention of "taxi alarms" and "102-stop elevator ride" indicates a connection to the urban environment of New York City, specifically the Empire State Building.

The object being personified in this poem is the Empire State Building. It is depicted as a place of aspiration ("ride to heaven") and connection to the broader themes of dreams and the urban experience.