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1. the "light" does appear to represent hope and progress that will provide guidance out of the hopeless "dark" (instability, etc)
- "when day comes" - usually when day comes, there is light, but it seems like there is still darkness in this day

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1. The use of light and dark as metaphors symbolize the dark inequalities/failures of the past, and the bright light of the future. It work hand in hand with "a nation that isn't broken, but simply unfinished." Its a symbol to look towards the future and that the light at the end of the tunnel is near.

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1. The purpose of these metaphors in Gorman's poem is to

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3. I see the lines 55-59 directly relate to the capitol insurrection

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1. The "dark" in the poem seems to refer to the past, while the "light" seems to look towards the hopeful future

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Obviously light and dark are used as metaphors for sweeping concepts of good vs evil respectively. Within the context of these lines "shade" would represent the oppression, the hardships, and the struggles minorities in America (and around the world) face. This "shade" has been prevalent hitherto and continues to be despite the constant fight against it.

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1. the metaphors of "shade" and "light" symbolize deception and hope. The hope is for the future and how with the new presidency there is renewed hope.

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2) Gorman recites this poem very intentionally. She emphasizes words and speeds and slows her pace to keep people engaged and listening. It is a tactic that can help people understand the message she is trying to convey. For me, it elicits the emotion of disappointment and sadness. In addition, it also makes me feel patriotic and hopeful for what is to come. It also makes me understand more deeply how much work we have to do as a country.

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3) Relates back to the BLM protests. "Quiet isn't always peace" Just because there were no big crazy protests and fights that doesn't mean there wasn't big inner turmoil. It wasn't peaceful, even if people weren't protesting on the streets.

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Amanda Gorman reciting “The Hill We Climb” at the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on January 20, 2021.

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When day comes we ask ourselves,

where can we find light in this never-ending shade?

The loss we carry,

a sea we must wade

We’ve braved the belly of the beast

We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace

And the norms and notions

of what just is

Isn’t always just-ice

And yet the dawn is ours                                                                                        10

before we knew it

Somehow we do it

Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed

a nation that isn’t broken

but simply unfinished

We the successors of a country and a time

Where a skinny Black girl

descended from slaves and raised by a single mother

can dream of becoming president

only to find herself reciting for one                                                                        20

And yes we are far from polished

far from pristine

but that doesn’t mean we are

striving to form a union that is perfect

We are striving to forge a union with purpose

To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and

conditions of man

And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us

but what stands before us

We close the divide because we know, to put our future first,                              30

we must first put our differences aside

We lay down our arms

so we can reach out our arms

to one another

We seek harm to none and harmony for all

Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:

That even as we grieved, we grew

That even as we hurt, we hoped

That even as we tired, we tried

That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious                                                        40

Not because we will never again know defeat

but because we will never again sow division

Scripture tells us to envision

that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree

And no one shall make them afraid

If we’re to live up to our own time

Then victory won’t lie in the blade

But in all the bridges we’ve made

That is the promised glade

The hill we climb                                                                                                      50

If only we dare

It's because being American is more than a pride we inherit,

it’s the past we step into

and how we repair it

We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation

rather than share it

Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy

And this effort very nearly succeeded

But while democracy can be periodically delayed

it can never be permanently defeated                                                                    60

In this truth

in this faith we trust

For while we have our eyes on the future

history has its eyes on us

This is the era of just redemption

We feared at its inception

We did not feel prepared to be the heirs

of such a terrifying hour

but within it we found the power

to author a new chapter                                                                                          70

To offer hope and laughter to ourselves

So while once we asked,

how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe?

Now we assert

How could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?

We will not march back to what was

but move to what shall be

A country that is bruised but whole,

benevolent but bold,

fierce and free                                                                                                          80

We will not be turned around

or interrupted by intimidation

because we know our inaction and inertia

will be the inheritance of the next generation

Our blunders become their burdens

But one thing is certain:

If we merge mercy with might,

and might with right,

then love becomes our legacy

and change our children’s birthright                                                                        90

So let us leave behind a country

better than the one we were left with

Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest,

we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one

We will rise from the gold-limbed hills of the west,

we will rise from the windswept northeast

where our forefathers first realized revolution

We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the midwestern states,

we will rise from the sunbaked south

We will rebuild, reconcile and recover                                                                    100

and every known nook of our nation and

every corner called our country,

our people diverse and beautiful will emerge,

battered and beautiful

When day comes we step out of the shade,

aflame and unafraid

The new dawn blooms as we free it

For there is always light,

if only we’re brave enough to see it

If only we’re brave enough to be it                                                                          110

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1. Gorman’s poem begins with a question: “When day comes we ask ourselves, / where can we find light in this never-ending shade (1-2)?” Traditionally, imagery and symbolism of “light” and “darkness” relate to ideas of good and evil, knowledge and ignorance, life and death, hope and despair, and so on. What is the purpose or meaning of these metaphors in Gorman’s poem? What precisely is this “hill” that “we” are climbing, and where is it leading us?

2. “The Hill We Climb” is very rhythmic, using forms of repetition like alliteration (26-27) and anaphora (37-39) to produce a lyrical poem with a virtuous message. How do these two elements of the poem—its rhythm and its message—work together? Is Gorman trying to elicit a particular emotional response from you? If so, try to name the emotion or feeling you think Gorman wants you to have and connect it to the poem’s message.

3. Gorman wrote and recited “The Hill We Climb” in a very specific social, political, and historical context. How does Gorman’s poem reflect upon, respond or allude to significant events in recent U.S. and world history? What makes this poem timely or urgent? What is its “nowness”?