In "The Gift Outright," Robert Frost traces the development of American culture from colonial times to a more present perspective. He tells the American story of colonialism, freedom, westward expansion, and the quest to develop a specifically American culture. In doing this, he focuses on explaining ways in which Americans supported the growth and development of their country and culture. Frost suggests that Americans showed their allegiance to their developing country and culture in several ways: battlefield bravery, commitment of talents to the good of the country, and dedication to expanding the United States' land and power. His reflection on the past is also a call for action in the future. He acknowledges that American culture is still not fully developed and the continued dedication of Americans, like occurred in the past, is required for the United States to recognize her full potential.
This poem,
like the last two, is in a blank verse format. As it was meant to be spoken
aloud at President John F. Kennedy's inauguration, it makes sense as to why it
took the format that emphasizes on the way people regularly speak instead of
stanzas and rhymes. The first line of the poem basically explains the entire
poem. However, it helps to read the rest of the poem to actually fully
understand it. The poem is saying that we had America before we could be
Americans (the land having us). Before the Revolutionary War, the United States
was merely a cluster of thirteen colonies that the settlers had to live in
(Possessing what we still were unpossessed by). They could not exactly be
considered Americans because Britten still had a hold on them. He says that by
fighting in the war, we had given ourselves the right to being Americans, the
gift outright of the land possessing us.
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