Analysis of The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman

Amanda Gorman recited her original poem “The Hill We Climb” in spoken word at the event of the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris. This erudite piece of work shows the distinctions, resemblances, and expectancies of the past, present, and future. Gorman warrants that the American people have “braved” the “beast” hinting at the different phases of America before and after its liberation. “Beast” here can be the protracted years of slavery or the never-ending evil of bigotry, It can be the severe refugee crisis of 2020 or the advent of COVID- 19, Through these emphatic words, Gorman is extolling the solidity and persistence of the American people who believe that being American citizens are much more than a “pride” which is inherited. While citing the breadth of physical, mental, and emotional calamities they’ve lived through.

She also adds that “quiet” did not invariably mean “peace” conceivably alluding to the conflict and food crisis in Yemen, the Indonesian earthquakes, the Syrian refugee crisis, or the Venezuelan migration crisis, or in a historical context, the cold war between the Soviet Union and The United States. Gorman asserts that the American people have “learned” to know that quiet historically did not imply peace and concurrency in all contexts and at all times. Gorman is hopeful of a free America where everyone can dream and live their dream. She also tells her story and how she could “dream of becoming president” which coincidentally has a striking resemblance to the story incumbent Vice President. She assures the world that the American dream is still very much alive. 

Gorman addresses every person who is willing to give their ears as “successors” cultivating patriotism and a feeling of oneness. She also assures that democracy can never be “permanently defeated”. In the wake of the most recent developments around the world, this reassurance is history’s way of telling the world, that light will win over darkness and life over death. She also asks the people of the world“ How could a catastrophe possibly prevail over us?”  Because this nation “move[s] to what shall be.” and is “fierce but free”. The inaugural poet hopes that the “legacy” of America will always be love, as we are willing to “rebuild, reconcile and recover.” And our people though battered will emerge beautiful from “every corner called our country.”

Gorman tells every person that the “dawn” belongs to them. To the people who enjoy finding fault with America and what it does, she points out that this nation is not “Broken” but is simply “unfinished”, she calls the successors of this country to give their children a better America, where no one can make them afraid and where they are free to “sit under their vine and fig tree.” She doesn’t overlook the forces such as racism and discrimination and slavery that were strong enough to bruise this country in the past. She also reminds us that if we do not “repair” that, then these energies have sufficient power to ravage this nation. Through this poem, Gorman is also giving a subtle warning to us that “while we have our eyes on the future. The history has its eyes on us.” This is a nuanced reminder that moving forward we should not make the same oversights that occurred in history.

She also adds that the “blunders of this generation [becomes] the burdens of the next generation.” That is an articulation to the newly inaugurated government to make sure to think through what they determine for the whole country, and to have a conviction that the government is for the country and its people, not the country and people for the government. In conclusion, Gorman points out that the past, present, and future are interlaced and one of them alone cannot be distinguished from the other, To create a better future we must learn from the mistakes of our past and repair them in our present. She urges us to do this because being American is not just being patriotic, It is acknowledging our troubled past, addressing our problems rather than pretending they are not there, and doing something about them. The new sun rises when we allow it to rise. Because light never goes away, “if we have the courage to look for it”—” if we have the courage to be it."