What is the name of the poem written by Emma Lazarus related to the Statue of Liberty?

Prepare for the New York City Sightseeing Guide License Exam. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards and detailed multiple-choice questions, each with helpful hints and explanations. Get ready to excel!

The poem written by Emma Lazarus that is related to the Statue of Liberty is titled "The New Colossus." This sonnet was published in 1883 and is famously inscribed on a plaque inside the pedestal of the statue. Lazarus wrote it in response to the rising tide of immigration at the time and to highlight the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of hope and refuge for the millions arriving in America seeking a better life.

The imagery and themes presented in "The New Colossus" reframe the statue as a welcoming figure to immigrants, contrasting it with the ancient colossus of Rhodes. Through lines such as “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” Lazarus emphasizes the values of compassion and opportunity, reinforcing the Statue of Liberty's role as a beacon of freedom and a new beginning for many. This connection between the poem and the statue solidified the latter's status as an enduring symbol of American values and the immigrant experience.

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