1. English 11 American Literature

3. How and why does this represent America? The New Colossus By Emma Lazarus 1849–1887Emma Lazarus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she With silent lips. “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-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door !”

4. What role do they play now and what are their contributions today? What role did they play in the past and how did they contribute to America? What role will they play in shaping the future of America?

5. Watch this video and be able to share your thoughts about it.

7. Immigrants By Pat Mora Immigrants wrap their babies in the American flag, feed them mashed hot dogs and apple pie, name them Bill and Daisy, buy them blonde dolls that blink blue eyes or a football and tiny cleats before the baby can even walk, speak to them in thick English, hallo, babee, hallo, whisper in Spanish or Polish when the babies sleep, whisper in a dark parent bed, that dark parent fear, “Will they like our boy, our girl, our fine American boy, our fine American girl?

9. Points to ponder and discuss. What is the essence of Americanism? Is there a typical American? Why or why not? Is there a stereotypical American? Why or why not? What is the American Dream? Is it a myth or reality? * Whose voices generally get included when we talk about the American Dream, and whose voices generally get excluded? Has the American Dream changed over time? What is America's role in the world? (Or what should it be?) America is often called a "melting pot." What does this metaphor mean? Is America a melting pot? Why or why not? Is there a different metaphor that would work better to describe America? Why or why not? What is the quintessential American song, and why? What movie best sums up the American experience, and why?