Kyle Hennin
Mr. Hammond
ENGL 1125 (6)
2/20/15
America In literature there are hidden meanings behind every word. These meanings can be portrayed using metaphors, similes or even just specific words. Authors use these methods in their writing to not make their point come across too obvious. This allows the readers to use their minds and think outside the box to find the true meaning. In the poem “America” by Tony Hoagland the hidden meaning is corruption in the United States today. Corruption in the meaning of illuminati playing a part of it. A lot of people will say that the government isn’t looking to help us but to take over like a dictatorship. Hoagland uses metaphors, and symbolism to paint the picture of what society is truly coming to. In this specific poem, the author uses multiple methods to cover up his meaning. One specific way he gets his point across is through metaphors. A metaphor is a comparison between two unrelated things. The poem begins with a metaphor that is comparing a student to someone who is corrupted through influence, just as a student is with a teacher. The author continues his poem with the use of metaphors by comparing America to a “satin quilt.” When he used this metaphor, it made me think a lot specifically about our nation and how many theories there are about it being corrupt. One part of the poem that was very interesting to me was the imagery in his dream when the author stabs his father and instead of blood falling out it was money, specifically all one hundred dollar bills. I feel like this shows that us as humans need money more than anything and would do anything to have money. It is almost as if we breathe money and money is what makes this world go around. Another part of the poem that caught my attention was the last two lines of the poem which state “Even while others are drowning underneath you / and