America was founded on the values of liberty, justice and the pursuit of happiness; furthermore, many people believe that they can reach success in a country with such values. In response to the American Dream, “Let America be America again” by Langston Hughes describes how America has failed to apply its beliefs to the majority of it’s citizens. Richard Miller’s article, “The Dark Knight of Soul”, questions the value of the Literate Arts in a society that seems doomed. However, Miller believes memoirs are the key to helping people make sense of the past, in order to make peace with the present. While Miller seems to only think memoirs can save the Literate Arts, I believe that all Literature can be used to give people hope for the future.
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Miller believes that a memoir causes people to confront the pain of their past which allows the writer to have a deeper understanding on how their past as impacted their life in the present. (437) “Let America be America again” also delves into the horrors of the past to gain an understanding of it’s current state. The author describes himself, “I am the young man, full of strength and hope,/ Tangled in that ancient endless chain/ Of profit, power, gain, grab of the land! Of work of men! Of take the pay!/ Of owning everything for one’s own greed!”(23-28). Upon reflection, Hughes realizes that he has been an active participant in the history of America. The cycle of “profit, power, gain and grab of the land”, is the history of the United States; furthermore, Hughes acknowledges that America is grounded on the exploitation of the weak. Even though the American dream is rooted in positive values such as freedom, these values were never realized because those who were weak were treated as objects, not people. By becoming completely selfish and disregarding how our actions can affect others, the American dream dies. As a result, the American dream becomes a nightmare for those who live it’s harsh realities. Discussing America’s shameful past, Hughes believes that America can redeem itself from its errors. Lastly, Hughes encourages the reader to reflect upon the past and learn from our mistakes. Although Hughes’s poem illustrates the inequality within America, Hughes also finds hope within the American
Miller believes that a memoir causes people to confront the pain of their past which allows the writer to have a deeper understanding on how their past as impacted their life in the present. (437) “Let America be America again” also delves into the horrors of the past to gain an understanding of it’s current state. The author describes himself, “I am the young man, full of strength and hope,/ Tangled in that ancient endless chain/ Of profit, power, gain, grab of the land! Of work of men! Of take the pay!/ Of owning everything for one’s own greed!”(23-28). Upon reflection, Hughes realizes that he has been an active participant in the history of America. The cycle of “profit, power, gain and grab of the land”, is the history of the United States; furthermore, Hughes acknowledges that America is grounded on the exploitation of the weak. Even though the American dream is rooted in positive values such as freedom, these values were never realized because those who were weak were treated as objects, not people. By becoming completely selfish and disregarding how our actions can affect others, the American dream dies. As a result, the American dream becomes a nightmare for those who live it’s harsh realities. Discussing America’s shameful past, Hughes believes that America can redeem itself from its errors. Lastly, Hughes encourages the reader to reflect upon the past and learn from our mistakes. Although Hughes’s poem illustrates the inequality within America, Hughes also finds hope within the American