This Author published in this journals
All Journal EBONY
Hendrayani, Dewa Ayu Febry
Unknown Affiliation

Published : 1 Documents Claim Missing Document
Claim Missing Document
Check
Articles

Found 1 Documents
Search

Poetic Devices and Cultural Representation in Lazarus' The New Colossus Hendrayani, Dewa Ayu Febry; Laksminy, Luh Putu; Agung, I Gusti Ayu Mahatma
General English Education Vol 5 No 2 (2025): EBONY- Journal of English Language Teaching, Linguistics, and Literature
Publisher : The Study Program of English Education of Palangka Raya University 

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.37304/ebony.v5i2.20093

Abstract

The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus is a well-known poem that expresses ideas of immigration, freedom, and national identity. This study aims to analyze the poem through two perspectives, namely poetic structure and cultural meaning. It focuses on how poetic devices such as metaphor, imagery, symbolism, alliteration and personification contribute to shaping the poem’s message. Using a qualitative method, the research applied Kemple's (2019) semiotic theory to interpret poetic devices as symbolic signs, while Hall's (2013) theory of representation was used to examine how the poem reflects and responds to changing social contexts. The analysis reveals that these poetic elements build a persuasive and emotional message that supports the poem’s theme of inclusivity and hope. It also shows that the meaning of the poem has shifted over time, especially in relation to modern immigration debates. This research highlights the poem’s dual role as a literary text and a cultural artefact. The findings suggest that poetic language can carry lasting social influence and that literature remains a relevant tool in understanding national identity.