Name: ____________________________________
Class: __________________________________
“The New Colossus”
By Emma Lazarus
1883
“The New Colossus” is a poem by Emma Lazarus that was published in 1883. It describes the millions
of immigrants who came to America through the port of New York City at Ellis Island. As you read,
consider how it must have felt to be one of the immigrants arriving at Ellis Island. Look for how
Lazarus uses personification to convey the poem’s message.
On the way to Ellis Island, incoming boats sail past the Statue of
Liberty. This poem is by engraved on a bronze plaque inside the lower
level of the pedestal.
Not like the brazen1 giant of Greek fame2,
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
[5] Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles3. 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
[10] 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, tempest4-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
[1]
1
Brazen (adjective): bold; without shame or humility
A reference to the Colossus of Rhodes, a statue of the Greek titan-god of the sun Helios, erected in the city of Rhodes in
Greece in 280 BC. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it was constructed to celebrate a war victory.
3 Exile (noun): a person who has been forced to leave his or her native country for political or punitive reasons
4 Tempest (noun): a violent, windy storm
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Text-Dependent Questions:
Directions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. PART A: What does the phrase “storied pomp” mean as it is used in line 9?
a. Well-known beauty
b. Extravagant splendor
c. Overbearing cruelty
d. Ancient history and tradition
[RL.4]
2. PART B: Which phrase best supports the answer to Part A?
a. “brazen giant of Greek fame”
b. “her mild eyes command”
c. “huddled masses yearning to breathe free”
d. “I lift my lamp beside the golden door”
[RL.1]
3. PART A: According to the poem, how is Lady Liberty different than the original Colossus? [RL.3]
a. She is more impressive and commanding.
b. She is meeker and more understated.
c. She is more aggressive and threatening.
d. She is humbler and more welcoming.
4. PART B: Which line(s) from the poem best support the answer to Part A?
a. Lines 3-4
b. Line 8
c. Lines 9-10
d. Line 14
[RL.1]
5. How does the poet’s use of personification in the poem contribute to the theme? Use at least
one piece of cited evidence in your response.
[RL.2]
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Discussion Questions:
Directions: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be prepared to
share your original ideas in a class discussion.
1. In your opinion, why did so many people immigrate to the United States?
2. Do you think that our country is as welcoming to immigrants as this poem implies? Explain your
answer.
3. In the context of this poem, what makes America unique? Use evidence from this text, your own
experience, and other art, literature or history in your answer.
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For Teachers
Suggested Text Pairings from CommonLit:
“Shut The Door” Speech by Senator Ellison DuRant Smith (Non-Fiction)
During a 1924 congressional debate on immigration, a senator from South Carolina argued that
we should “shut the door and breed up a pure, unadulterated American citizen.” Pair “The New
Colossus” with the “Shut the Door” speech and ask students to consider two different
perspectives on immigration. Find the text at CommonLit.org (Prejudice & Discrimination
What are the effects of prejudice?  9th-10th Grade).
“From Lithuania to the Chicago Stockyards” by Antanas Kaztauskis (Memoir)
In this short memoir, a Lithuanian immigrant tells of his hopes, struggles, and successes
throughout his experience coming to America. Pair “The New Colossus” with “From Lithuania to
the Chicago Stockyards” to show students the perspective of an immigrant. Find “From Lithuania
to the Chicago Stockyards” at CommonLit.org (America  How has America changed over
time?  7th-8th Grade).
More Teaching Resources Related to “The New Colossus”


A biography of Emma Lazarus at Poets.org: http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/emma-lazarus
An expanded unit on immigration from EngageNY featuring photos, and multiple descriptions of
the immigrant experience: https://www.engageny.org/file/88861/download/rc-unit-texts-g8we-had-to-learn-english.pdf
Answers to Text-Dependent Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
B
A
D
C
Answers will vary; student should discuss the way the poet personifies the Statue of Liberty with
dialogue and by describing its facial expressions and stance in order to reveal it as a symbol of
openness and tolerance.
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