Analyzing Two of America’s Most Significant Poetic Works

Nila Horner

American Poetic Experience

14 February 2016

Analyzing Two of America’s Most Significant Poetic Works

Both America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates and Defense of Fort McHenry by Francis Scott Key have become staples in the American poetic landscape. Most Americans know the words to a good portion of these poems set to music, and they continue to offer strong messages to the world about the United States. In terms of poetic value, both pieces have withstood the tests of time to offer unique and differing perspectives on American ideals. While Defense of Fort McHenry (DFM) and America the Beautiful (ATB) both present strong emotional appeals to readers regarding America’s strengths, ATB’s uplifting tone outlining America’s dedication to unity and brotherhood provide an appealing poetic experience and would have made a more fitting national anthem.

            The settings and perspectives of both pieces differ wildly. ATB is set from a place of knowledge and confidence in peace in one of America’s most beautiful settings. According to The Oxford Book of American Poetry, Bates was positioned at the top of a mountain whilst composing this piece, and was able to reflect on her nation as a whole (pg.187). The U.S. was not in an active conflict, and Bates was not engaged in or witnessing any sort of violence from her point of view overlooking peaceful landscape. On the other hand, DFM was set in a time of intense turmoil and international conflict. Violence was at Key’s doorstep, and he was witnessing the harrowing effects of war. He describes his conditions when he says, “And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air…”(line 5). Clearly Key was not reflecting from a place of safety, but from a place of turmoil. This intensity and danger was evident in the bombs and rockets dotting his night sky. Additionally, the narrator does not know the outcome of the current battle at hand, and is questioning the events taking place. He says, “does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?” (7-8). The narrator is uncertain about the outcome of the battle, and is writing from a place of uncertainty while looking up at the sky for answers. While the narrator of DFM does show his belief in America’s strength to overcome when he says, “the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave,” he only has faith without the true knowledge that his nation will prevail (31). DFM does show confidence in America’s ability to overcome a challenge, but the lack of victorious knowledge sets the piece apart from ATB.

In terms of poetic appeal, ATM prevails because of its relatable content and positive message. Both ATB and DFM utilize appealing rhyming structures and are textually easy to understand by even modern readers. However, ATB is much more appealing as a poem on the page because of the content and simplicity. The content in ATB is much more positive and celebratory, while DFM provides poetic conflict in the narrative. Bates says, “O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties…”(1-3). Bates positively describes the vast landscape of the United States and reminds readers of the true beauty of America’s natural habitat. Key also uses imagery to describe the setting, but does so in terms of conflict. He says, “on the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes…” (9-10).  Key’s imagery evokes fear and apprehension as opposed to wonder. Americans in any time period can relate to the content of ATB, while DFM offers true understanding only for readers with battle experience and evokes feelings of patriotism in times of national threats to security. ATB’s more relatable content and peaceful imagery contrast with DFM’s wartime descriptions to provide a more pleasant poetic experience. ATB offers a relaxing look at a sight many Americans have seen and experienced as they see the world from Pikes Peak. Feelings of gratitude and abundance are prevalent as we look down over the world from a place of peace, beauty and freedom. Francis Scott Key wrote from a place of confinement, looking up in hope for freedom from place we will never see.

Overall, ATB would have made a better national anthem because of its content. The piece praises America’s unchanging and incredible natural beauty and also sends a message of peace and brotherhood throughout the diverse nation. Bates says, “God shed his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea” (6-8). While some could make a case that the deeply religious tone could divert some readers, the overall tone of celebration and happiness conveys a message of togetherness. ATB aims to bring people together in universal brotherhood and overall praises the “nobleness” of America’s people (23). DFM, on the other hand, does celebrate America’s prosperity and tendency to overcome obstacles, but is set in time of conflict and promotes strength over peace. As opposed to an overwhelmingly positive and peaceful message, the wartime setting focuses more on America’s strength than unity. Both pieces are similar in literary significance, but convey different messages regarding ideals of the United States.

Both ATB and DFM have become staple celebratory pieces in American culture. Both pieces showcase unique points in America’s history. While ATB focuses on America’s natural beauty and praises the nations dedication to unity and togetherness in times of peace, DFM celebrates America’s strength and perseverance in times of challenge almost a hundred years earlier. In terms of content, both are inspiring, but ATB truly captures the unity in diversity and positive ideals America strives for, while also using language accessible to most readers. DFM utilizes a perspective from a historical conflict to offer faith in the strength of the United States. Ultimately, ATB’s messages of peace and universal brotherhood would have made a more positive and uplifting anthem, as opposed to DFM’s tale of strife and obstacle. Ultimately, both pieces offer a unique take on America’s varied and interesting past, and these pieces reflect many of America’s strengths through poetic interpretation.