The Hill We Climb Essay Questions

What is the effect of Gorman's allusions to events from recent history, and how does she incorporate them into her larger message?

Gorman never explicitly refers to any of the events that led up to the inauguration, including the protests over George Floyd's death the previous summer, the riots at Capitol Hill shortly before her performance, or the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, she alludes to them when making her larger argument in lines such as "we've seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it." This line may refer to the riots at Capitol Hill, or it may refer to years of the Trump administration, which saw a bitter division among the American populace. The vagueness of this line lends to its multiple interpretations, which also factors into Gorman's larger argument. She can be vague because these incidents happen far too often. When she speaks of calamity, there are too many events that she could be referring to. In her ability to be vague, the sheer quantity of incidents of injustice is made clear, and so her allusions serve to remind the audience how urgent it is to create change.

How does the poem counter the impulse for apathy and inaction?

In general, the poem is very hopeful and assertive, especially when it comes to the issue of apathy. The speaker works to pull those who are otherwise less-inclined to take action against injustice into the national timeline with the "we" pronoun throughout the poem. Especially in the line "being American is more than a pride we inherit," Gorman indicates that as an American, it is important to participate in the national conversation. The word "inherit" does not leave room for discussion, and all those that identify as American need to contribute to the nation's future. The speaker also takes special care to empower the audience, and through that empowerment to urge listeners toward action. For example, the line "we found the power to author a new chapter" describes "us" as powerful—strong enough to change the course of American history.

What is the effect of the inclusion of famous phrases from American history?

Throughout the poem, Gorman includes many famous phrases from American history, such as "in this faith we trust" and "a union that is perfect," referencing the motto on American currency and the Preamble of the Constitution respectively. The inclusion of these phrases, however, are not direct quotes from these sources, but instead adaptations of those phrases to the context in which she recites. By subtly changing these phrases, Gorman advocates for a change in American history, for past systems to be overhauled in the present, and for the American people not simply to let these institutions stand as they are. The language Gorman uses is formal, mimicking the rhetoric of pastors or orators, and this recognizable style also contributes to her message of changing systems of the past.