The new colossus

"The New Colossus" is a sonnet written by Emma Lazarus in 1883 to raise funds for the construction of a statue dedicated to freedom and democracy, which would later become the iconic Statue of Liberty. The sonnet is engraved on a plaque inside the statue's pedestal and has become one of the most famous poems in American literature.

The poem is a tribute to the idea of freedom and the American dream, and it welcomes immigrants to the United States, symbolizing the country's commitment to providing a safe haven for those seeking a better life. The poem's central theme is the idea that the United States is a beacon of hope and freedom for people from around the world, and that the Statue of Liberty represents the country's values of liberty, democracy, and opportunity.

The poem's most famous lines are:

"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-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

These lines have become a symbol of American values and a beacon of hope for immigrants and refugees seeking a better life. The poem has also been interpreted as a commentary on the treatment of immigrants and refugees, and as a call to action for the United States to live up to its ideals of freedom and democracy.

Over time, "The New Colossus" has become an iconic symbol of American culture and identity, and it continues to be celebrated and studied around the world.